Under a Fairy Moon

Brent Weeks

2010-08-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

A few months back I stumbled on a book entitled "Way of Shadows" by Brent weeks. It didn't have the look of a book that I usually enjoyed, but I was interested enough to read a bit of the first chapter. And I was hooked. This book led me to the Night Angel Trilogy, a wonder

I'm a green magic drafter!

Take the quiz at Brent Weeks.com

YOU ARE A GREEN DRAFTER

Green luxin is springy and flexible. The uses are as varied as the drafter is creative: from furniture to projectiles to shields to the throwing arms of war engines. Greens are wild, free. They don't so much disrespect authority as not even recognize it.

The results from your color matching test have also shown that you are one of the elite, a superchromat. The magic you do will almost never fail. Satrapies will compete to recruit you, and you will have a wide latitude in what work you choose to do once you finish your studies. You can expect your patron to lavish praise and honors on you. As a monochrome, you will master your color, and only have to defer to bichromes and polychromes and, of course, the nobility and the satraps who support us all.

MAGIC IN THE BLACK PRISM

When a candle burns, a physical substance (wax) is transformed into light. Chromaturgy in The Black Prismis the inverse: A drafter transforms light into a physical substance (luxin). Each different color of luxin has its own strength, weight, and even smell: blue luxin is hard, red is gooey, yellow is liquid, etc. But even as drafters change the world, the luxin changes them too, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The color change of a drafter's eyes is only the beginning…

The only things that never change are death and taxes.

2010-08-06T07:48:00.000-07:00

I have been contemplating fair, and taxes... Now while I don't think taxes are ever fair, I do think they are necessary. But in relation to a progressive tax scale? All I know is that a $1000 to a family making $25,000 means shoes, and clothes, and food. $50,000 to a family making a million every year means they don't take that month long family vacation to the Bahamas... or maybe they think twice about buying that 3rd (or sometimes 4th or 5th) car for the Nanny. I have worked for these people... I know they have budgets (usually) like everyone else, but paying for the necessities is not something they worry about. Paying the 4th mortgage is. Paying for private schools, or a new car every 4 years maybe. But they never wonder if there will be enough to buy their kids new shoes because the old ones are wearing out, or clothes because no one offered you hand-me downs this year, or food because this month there just wasn't enough overtime to go around. They don't look at the bills and wonder which one they can pay. They complain about the bills same as anyone else... but it just isn't the same in my book. Somehow, I can't begrudge that money to those who need it. I just don't understand how others vote wishing they were millionaires (or hoping to become one), instead of looking at the needs of children and families who work harder for every dollar than any millionaire who is lucky enough to have an air conditioned office to sit in and work in every day. There are some who earn a million dollars a year, and who work hard for it. I will concede that. But that is no reason to lower their taxes... most people work hard for their money. And these days, they are working harder for it than ever before. If taxes were fair, they would hurt equally across the board. But that will never happen - equality in taxes just can't be achieved on that level. And a flat tax would hand bounty to the rich, and pain to the poor. So now, what is the most moral decision? An attitude of "More for ME!" - or making life a little more livable for those less fortunate than you?

I am very lucky. I am blessed beyond compare, really - especially when I look at what so many in our own country do not have. I have a loving husband. I have 3 (relatively) healthy children who are smart, and compassionate, and can be very generous. I have a home to live in, clothes and shoes for my family that are not full of holes, or worn out beyond reasonable use. We have computers, TV's, internet, and more toys than I know what to do with as a mother. I almost never worry about having the money to buy groceries, and we even get to go out for dinner/lunch/or movies on fairly regular basis. We are very fortunate in this world, and I am grateful every day for the life I live, and for the hard work of my husband who makes it all possible. And even though I do worry about money, I do not feel the slightest animosity towards those who pay less than I do on that sliding scale. With very little imagination, I know just how much it means to them to have even a few hundred dollars coming their way after tax time.

I know what decision I would make. And I know exactly why. Do you?

Spring Cleaning

2010-02-25T11:59:00.000-08:00

I have to admit I have been a scoffer as to lent. It never made sense to me. How could giving up meat, or whatever you choose to do without, actually help you spiritually? Wouldn't it just make you obsess upon whatever it is that you were missing.

Today my mind turned the kaleidoscope and I suddenly had a new perception of this previously strange time of year to me. Lent isn't about what you give up. You could give up anything. Anything at all. It really doesn't matter. Lent is about learning something about yourself. It is about pushing you outside of your comfort zone, about finding that you are stronger than you thought. About learning that you can live without some things, even if you don't want to. And sometimes it is about learning what you can live with. It is meant to take you spiritually to a place where you can see exactly what is important in your life. It is clearing the chaff from your mind and your body so that you emerge a better version of who you were before. You can give up many things for lent, but if you do not do it knowing why, knowing what you wish to achieve, it is all for naught.

The giving up of something for lent is symbolic, but perhaps we as human beings need that symbol. You take that one thing, and you channel all the things you don't like about yourself into it, and you cast it away. The fact that lent repeats each year seems to be a lesson too... the doubts and hurts of a life time cannot be cast away in a day - or even a month. They are like weeds in a cultivated garden. Even should you manage to purge them all, they always return. A cultivated garden must be tended or the beauty is lost.

Seems like a good analogy . And yet, while I appreciate that cultivated garden I have always been someone who loves the wild garden... the idea of effortless beauty and freedom. I have always scoffed at that tended garden, just a little. Told myself it's beauty was artificial. And yet today I am forced to realize that even the wild garden's beauty comes from balance in the environment. And though I have always sought balance in my life, it is a tricky thing to maintain.

Perhaps it is time to tend my wild garden... just a little... so that the balance is restored and peace and beauty - and yes, freedom - are restored. Perhaps, though it may seem beyond a little strange for those who know me well, I will observe what is left of lent this year. Either way, I I think it is time for some spring cleaning of heart and home.

For Mary...

2010-02-10T12:13:00.001-08:00

Okay, I have finally gotten a couple of hours by myself and watched it. THE Casanova, done by Masterpiece Theater with David Tennet and Peter O'Toole.

Oh. My. God.

That was more fun than any movie that I have seen in ages, and yet cried like a baby at the end. Fantastic. I laughed. I cried. I kissed 3 hours goodbye. Peter O'toole was the perfect dirty old man, and yet compelling in the extreme. And David Tennet... excuse me, where was I again? Oh, yes, David Tennet... mmmmmm, uh maybe you should just watch it for yourself - again. I think I will. Soon. Maybe now...

Oh, and a warning for others; when you get this movie and watch it - because everyone should - don't invite the kidlets.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T10:49:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope your holiday is filled with joy and love, and may your holiday knitting abound.

You spin me right round, baby right round...

2009-11-21T08:45:00.000-08:00

like a record baby, right round, round, round...

Well, despite my best intentions, we are now about to head into the whirlwind that it PPO healthcare when dealing with hospitalizations. Brandon went into ER last night with oxygen levels of only 81% (that's really bad for those of you who don't know - at that level he's really close to going unconscious...). After spending a few hours at ER he still couldn't hold oxygen levels above 89% on his own, so he is now admitted and being set up in the children's ward. Javier is there now, and I will relieve him after lunch. Anyone got any good crock pot recipes?

Brandon is sick - possibly the flu - so this does not help his asthma at all, and I have no idea how long he will be in the hospital. The knowledge that the bill on the back end could be as much as $10,000 is not helping either. I have heard how wonderful PPO's are, but I have to admit, if given the choice (which I am not) I would take my HMO with all it's red tape in a heart beat right now.

The hospitalization is further complicated by the fact that the hospital is not allowing children visitors under 15. That means that Javier and I need babysitters twice a day when we switch off who is going to be with the kids. Brandon is only 9 - he would not be happy being left alone for so long a couple of times a day. Can everyone out there give a great big Huzzah! for my mother and father who are graciously filling that spot for us. I really and truly do not know what we would do without them right now. Thanks Mom and Dad. For everything.

Good news on the knitting front though... I should have several hours of knitting time a day until Brandon is out of the hospital... maybe I'll be able to catch up on some of the projects I'm doing.

Take care everyone, and be well!

memoirs from the mothering world...

2009-11-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been concerned with why. Why? Why is it important, for instance, not to lie. Really important. Important to the human soul. Why? We all know, "do not lie", and yet we have "little white lies" and admire those who would lie to protect others. Those are still lies. And we tell our children, never lie. Why?

My son told a little lie a few days ago. I asked him if he had brushed his teeth and he told me that he had. Mother's intuition pricked up my ears. "Well then," I said, "you won't mind if I go and check your toothbrush." Of course, he hadn't brushed his teeth. This is not the first lie my son has told. This is not the worst lie my son has told. He was punished... losing 2 days of video games this weekend (the only time he is allowed to play). But I was left wondering, why? Why was not brushing his teeth worth lying to him? Why? The more I thought about it, I realized, we never explain why we don't lie. Perhaps we talk of trust, others will talk of a god, but one only feels the effect of that lie if they are caught. Lying was making his life easier. If he told me he had brushed his teeth, then he didn't have to do it. If he didn't admit that he had knocked over the proverbial vase then he didn't need to suffer the consequences. It was easier.

And that was his why.
I know this is wrong. But why? I thought about those little white lies. I thought about those who hide important truths in lies to preserve the greater good... such as those German families that risked their own lives to save Jewish families from the horrific injustice of the Nazi regime. Such as the Quakers and others that risked themselves and their families along the Underground Railroad to help lead men and women to a life of freedom, not because it was easy, but because it was right. Surely, at those moments, it was not only right, but good to lie in the face of evil?

Then I thought of what my son would become if I allowed him to believe that lying for no reason was acceptable. I could imagine his heart growing dark, his soul troubled and lonely, the selfish gleam to his eye... and my heart broke. Trust is important, but it is not for the regard of others that we should not lie. It is to preserve our human soul - that part of us that loves selflessly, that gives without discrimination, the part that cares for not just our fellow human beings, but the world around us. It is not lying that is bad, it is why we lie that determines whether the action was good or bad. To believe that lying has no consequences, whatever the reason, is foolish. But lying for selfish reasons leads to a selfish person. A sad and angry person who does not understand why the world is against them. A person who never sees that it is because he has been against himself. And I do not want this for my son.

So, now I know my why, at least in this instance. And strangely, that makes it easier to do not only what I should, but what I must for my son. I have never really understood how some people can think that anyone wouldn't need to know why. It seems to me that is the most important thing they could ever know.

The power of four...

2009-06-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

Obviously I just need to have a few more babies and we can be laughing all the time!

Let's do the Limbo!

2009-06-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

My whole family is in limbo this week. I can't really say what will be happening at any point, where my husband will work, will he have a job, will I have to try to find one? CAN I find one? Will it be enough to make a difference after child care cost? What will it take to make it worthwhile to leave my children with someone else on a regular basis? How will I like living with my mother in law? How hard will I cry when I have to leave the house we are in? How will my husband cope if we can't pay rent? When will I feel like knitting again?

The current answer to all of these questions is I don't know. Sigh. I wish I knew.

I am finding myself immobilized, staring at a screen, or just holding my knitting (which is supposed to be finished soon and making me money...) or hiding in the bathroom reading a book when I don't really need to be sitting there. I have to face up to the fact that I am hiding, and I don't really know from what - the unknown? This is a time when I need to be focused, and I feel lost. I need to pull my head out of my proverbial a** and get moving. My house was clean for a couple of days, and now looks like crap again. If I actually allow myself to see my house I want to cry, and knowing that my husband wants to go back to work instead of look at it is worse.

I need a kick in the ass. But I don't want it to hurt, okay? Maybe I should just get up and go do the dishes.

Calming down...

2009-05-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

So I had a bit of a rough patch this afternoon, but after reading a few of my favorite blogs, like that one and this one, and laughing a few of those really good belly laughs, I feel a lot better.

I guess it's true... laughter is the best medicine.. followed by large doses of knitting.

Can't talk right now...

2009-05-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

I'm too busy laughing...

A knitting we shall go!

2009-05-16T17:35:00.000-07:00

Ahhh... My needles, they over flow...

My camera, it doth not. I need to get a replacement card reader, but instead, imagine two lovely baby sweaters in a smooth as a baby's but organic color grown cotton growing from my needles... Calmness, restored.

P.S. Happy Birthday Jen!

Happy May Birthdays!!

2009-05-05T15:10:00.000-07:00

So, looking over my blog this morning I realized that I needed to send out a great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my family.

So...

To my big brother Scott - HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAN! I am so glad that you have found a good place to be, and have found some happiness in what I know was a long, long, long, few years. I'll call soon - LOVE YOU!

To my little brother and sister - HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Somehow, it is wrong that you two are already 32. I can't be that old yet, so you two DEFINITELY can't. Stop. Right now. Oh, and have fun you two! Love you, and Happy Cinco De Mayo!

To my son, who I already sent a happy Birthday to, but since this is an official post, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON! You are an amazing boy, and I am so proud to be your mother. I love you!

And to my father, who has yet to reach middle age at 68 (next week). HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And many, many more to come. I hope that you and mom can enjoy some peace and quiet for a while.

And to my best friend (a little early)... I love you lady. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I have got to get myself to the east coast sometime before we both go gray... or am I too late already?

Love to everyone on your special days, and know that I'm thinking of you, even if I suck at phone calls.

Ahhh....

2009-05-04T18:28:00.000-07:00

The bittersweet joy of victory. My house (most of it) is clean. Half way through a new audiobook I have clean dishes, (mostly) clean floors, laundry that is washed, folded and put away (or in the the process of being washed, folded and put away) and I am keeping the tide of toys at bay for the moment. The joy at having a clean house for my family to come celebrate Brandon's 9th birthday with us was palpable. The bittersweet is that so much of it is never ending. And yet, I have the beginnings of a fantasy about a clean and organized bedroom, and toys that are neatly organized, in bins... well. We'll see how it all works out.

For now, I'm just looking forward to seeing my husband relax in a clean house, and not have to worry about whether he will have clean underwear tomorrow. I once read somewhere that nothing says I love you like clean underwear....

A home by any other name....

2009-04-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

My house has always been, shall we say, lived in. I have never been a domestic diva of the type that could pull off the kind of house that Vanity Fair would want to photograph. To be perfectly honest, I have the kind of house that you need to watch where you step, and ask if the dishes in the dishwasher are clean as you scour the house in search of a spoon with which to eat breakfast. This had never bothered me in my footloose and fancy free days as a young single woman. Probably because I had no one but myself to please. Over the years I have enjoyed both clean and dirty floors. I have known the pleasure of a clean house, and I have known the shame of a dirty one. I have been motivated to clean many times. But some how it just never sticks. I have never figured out why I can't seem to do this really simple task. It is not as if I don't know how. It's not rocket science. It's not complex equations. It is simple repetitive tasks that any human being with half a brain should be able to do. And I can do it.

That is when I had my most recent epiphany. It is not that I can't do it. I even start often. I procrastinate more. It is that the tasks are so mind bogglingly boring that they make me want to lie down in a half swept pile of dirt and cry. I would be able to do it if it was complex equations because that would at least hold my interest for more than 30 seconds. And yet day after day, I stare down the uncomprehendingly dull task of washing dishes, folding clothes, and sweeping floors. I think I would rather gag on a filth encrusted spoon. Well, not really. But I would rather wash the spoon, and then gag on it. One spoon only takes about 5 seconds. That is within my 30 second time span before I start looking for something to maim.

Sigh. So, how do you combat extreme boredom in the name of marital bliss, and a home that won't offend child services delicate sensibilites? How? Please... someone throw me a bone. I'm dying here, and I have to get the house clean by Sunday - with numerous things to do in between. I'll give you my undying gratitude! My 7th child!

I think I may be lost...

An over due phone call...

2009-04-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

You know how when you used to be close with someone but you haven't talked to them in a long while, and suddenly you get a call out of the blue, you don't know what to say? How do you catch them up on the daily hum drum of life without sounding like a broken record? It has been so long since I blogged that I kind of feel like that. I feel like I should catch you up, but there is so little of consequence... and yet there are a few really big things.

My husband has a job, but we don't know for how long, and they haven't been paying him for all the hours he's been working. And he has been working a lot. Most days he leaves before I get up in the morning to get the kids ready for school, and he gets back just as I finish getting them ready for bed. The kids have been staying up late just to see him. The other day, I told Liam he ask Daddy when he got home and Liam said "Daddy's coming HOME tonight!" I felt so badly - both for him and for Javier. It was one of the things we both liked best about him working nights. He always got to see the kids. And if there was ever a problem he was home. But ultimately I am more than grateful for the fact that he has a job, no matter how crappy the hours or the work conditions, and I am trying hard to make home a place that he wants to be when he actually has the time to be there. It is also making me very reluctant to leave the house when he is home. I miss my husband. A lot.

I am doing contract knitting. I have set up an email, and have cards and what not, but now I need to build a web page. Any offers for help? Apparently people need to see what I knit, and they want to see it online. Not that I blame them, but for some reason I am having difficulty getting everything together for this. It would be a really good thing to have some real income from this. I did just finish a couple of baby blankets, which were really wonderful, and brought in enough to get my daughter a booster seat. She is almost four, and was more than ready to get out of her "baby" car seat. I have pictures of the blankets, but I can't seem to find the card reader for my camera. Sigh. Must add that to my to do list.

Brandon, my bouncing baby boy is turning 9 at the end of this week. I can hardly believe that he has grown so big so fast. I miss his bubbly baby giggle, and the bouncing little dance he used to do when he was 2. But he still has the biggest, most soulful brown eyes. I'm having trouble with the idea that he is going to have his last single digit birthday in 5 days. I think I'm more aware of the turning of the years because I don't have an infant at my breast this year. It seems strange somehow, but I'm not planning another. That makes me a little sad too...

And finally, hearing of couples that have split, or worse a beloved spouse passing, I find that I am more than grateful for my family. I look at my husband and am grateful for his love and his constant support in a whole new way. I know that I can weather an storm with him by my side. No matter what happens with his work, no matter where we end up in this world, if we can do it together, we will be alright.

Where do I begin?

2009-02-18T09:36:00.000-08:00

Life has a way of happening too fast. My babies are growing up, and I am wondering how I will feel when I finally come to a full realization that I will probably not have another. I am coming to another period of my life where I am learning more about myself than anyone else, and I find myself hoping that my husband is okay with this. My husband on the other hand is dealing with probably the worst time ever in his working life. The printing company he works for is in it's death throes and we don't know where or when he will work again. And if it will be enough to support our family. I worry about not making enough money, I worry about having to leave my children to work, knowing that we cannot afford anyone else to watch over them, and knowing that I will hate every moment of having someone else responsible for the raising of my children. So I half heartedly look for an online program for a teaching credential, and contemplate re-entering the work force after more than a decade - and the most demanding job I had was selling vacuums and sewing machines at Sears. I shudder at my work history. I try to find some reason that someone would want to hire me. I try to find a reason that I want them to hire me. Pretty much, the only reason I can come up with is that it might relieve some stress from Javier. Se la vie.

On the upside, I am knitting more. I have actually begun contract knitting. I have some cards that Javier made up for me (they are truly wonderful, and I am grateful for Javier's support in this) and I have gotten several orders. Now I need to come up with a price list that I can hand out, and a website so people can view what I have knit, along with the price list, and tell me what they would like. It seems that running a business in this day and age without a website is a no-no. I am enjoying the knitting, and the challenge of coming up with my own patterns, and contacting designers for permission to knit their designs. I am hoping this will be enough, simply because I enjoy it. But the reality is that I will likely have to give it up for a 9-5. This does not make me happy, but no one ever promised that life would be roses and cream forever. I've been lucky so far.

There are so many things that I wish I had done. So many things that I want to do. And as I look into the not so far away future, I realize that middle age is creeping up on me and I have much to do still. I realize that Javier has given up hope for many things, and I wish that I could give that hope back to him. And I struggle with the truth that it is not for me to do for him, and that it might not be possible.

I am watching a friend go through the nightmare of a husband/lover who has come to love someone else, and is making her life a living hell as they fight over who gets the children, and she contemplates giving birth to their third alone. And I cry for her, and for myself as I think that this, short of losing one of my children, might be the worst nightmare I could ever endure.

Sometimes I feel as if the world has gone crazy, and on other days like today I stand outside in the sunshine and listen to the birds, find the sparkling jewels of dew gleaming on a spiders web, and know that I live in an extraordinary world. Breath taking in its complexity and beauty, and also its cruelty. Each day is a gift, each day a new beginning, and in these days of uncertainty, I am finding that I must cherish that more than ever.

So today, instead of worrying about what will come, I will count the blessings I have and try not to be just grateful, but joyful in this life that I am lucky enough to be living.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T12:00:00.000-08:00

So, another year has come and gone, and I am left wondering how time has passed so quickly. I still remember so very clearly when the change of the millennium was still far on the horizon, and my young life was just beginning. Sometimes I find myself looking back, wishing I had done one thing or another, but on the whole I find that I love my life. I have a wonderful husband and three gorgeous children, and I would not want to consider my life without them. We have all the necessities - food to eat, a home and beds to sleep in, clothes to ward off cold and sun, and are blessed with numerable luxuries like our pets, computers, toys, and for me specifically, YARN!

So as I consider the years gone, and the year to come, I am hopeful and most especially grateful for what I have. I know that 2009 will have it's hardships, and that we will meet them as a family. I believe that it will indeed be a happy new year.

And with that I offer you all a heartfelt and considered Happy New Year!

Here be Dragons!

2008-12-30T09:03:00.001-08:00

Due to my deep and abiding love of Dragons and of critical thought, I give you

HERE BE DRAGONS!

This is long but worth it. Brian Dunning (the host/narrator) does a weekly skeptics podcast skeptoid and is involved in the collaborative effort that is the skepticblog.

And now I am off to find some dragons.

Merry Christmas! uh, and some socks!

2008-12-25T20:40:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope your holidays were wonderful. Me, after a long day filled with overindulgence and too many presents to count I sat down to check email and found myself laughing.

Sing along if you love handknit socks!

A Princess...

2008-12-07T20:33:00.000-08:00

Your result for The Princess Bride trivia Test...

Buttercup

Inconceivable! You scored ###!

A respectable score. This movie is probably nestled in your dvd collection, and its not gathering dust either. You are a big fan, if not yet utterly devoted. A few of the questions may have stumped you, but instead of being annoyed, this just makes you want to watch it again to find out the answers. Well done!

Take The Princess Bride trivia Test at HelloQuizzy

The tale of David...

2008-11-10T22:38:00.000-08:00

David verses Goliath. The ultimate story of triumph - to beat the odds and all expectations and come out victorious. That is David. And now I hope that it is also my local yarn shop.

Unraveled is a lovely little store in Monrovia that just feels like home when I go in there. I have to admit that I am guilty of a lot of petting and very little buying. I do not have much to spend, even on the good days. But where this downturn in the economy is pinching my pocketbook (and my yarn funds) it has put a chokehold on very life of this store, and I would dare say many others.

The ladies of Unraveled have come up with an astoundingly clever idea to stave off death, and defeat the Goliath of global economic downturn to save this store - create a co-op where one becomes many. Create a living interest in the life and health of the store. $40 a month for 5 months is the cost of the life of this store. Just $40. $40 to buy a living room filled with women and men who understand some intimate corner of your soul is wrapped in wool and fiber and will never mock you for it. $40 for the joy of fondling yarns and dreaming of what they could become upon your very own needles. $40 for expertise or moral support needed to finish that one special project. $40 to say that this is my yarn family, and that this family will not let you down. It seems so little - and yet so much. If you are a knitter in this area of California, all I can do is urge you to consider joining our ranks. There is nothing to lose in asking - everything in not.

And if you do not live in this area, please, give a thought to your own local yarn shop and go buy a little yarn to help take the edge off.

Goodnight all...

Inspiration

2008-11-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

In four days we will change the face of our nation. I, for one, have enormous hope that it will be for the better.

Some inspiration for those of you out there...

Yes we can!

VOTE!

2008-10-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

There are many things that I want to say about this upcoming election. I feel that it is likely to be the most momentous and important vote of my life, and that the result will affect this country for good or ill in dire ways, depending on the outcome.

As I turn introspective about the future of this, my country, my home, I offer you this thought for next Tuesday....

Awesome Violins...

2008-10-14T08:29:00.000-07:00

I bumped into this and after I finished picking my jaw up off the floor (a result from pure amazement that this exists...) I knew I had to share...

So, for your viewing pleasure... Nuttin' But Stringz!

A Lazy Summer passes and brings a Fall Surprise

2008-09-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

Summer under the fairy moon passed slowly and pleasantly, sleeping in until 8am whenever possible (and yes, post children 8am really is sleeping in...). We enjoyed our backyard, sprinklers, and swimming with Nana and Grandma whenever possible. It was, quite simply, my favorite kind of summer - the one with nothing to do.

Then September came, Liam turned 6 years old, and school started. All in the same week. The alarm rudely awakens me each morning at 6am (gah!) and I dress children and pack lunches each morning once again. Liam LOVES being a first grader, and is digging into first grade with gusto. Brandon is a proud 3rd grader, and finding things in common with his new teacher, like a love of the environment and caring for animals. Maia is now in Group II over at the pre-school and ecstatic to find our neighbor and her "best friend" Grace in her class. The only bad thing about school is that I have to wake everyone up for it. All in all I am hopeful for the next school year. It feels good.

And of course, the L.A. County Fair is now in full swing, and we decided to take full advantage of the "kids free Friday" yesterday, and went to see the animals, and the Heritage Square which is filled with bits and pieces of American history. I love it there. There was spinning wheels (FIBER!!!) a black smith, gold panning, rag dolls, and broom making. A little Red School House, and a frontier home filled with all the necessities of a home at the turn of the century (facinating...). We wandered over to the Pirate Show "Pirates of the Columbian Carribean" and discovered one of the most daring and facinating feats of acrobatics on a high wire. Completely worth your time. Sit and enjoy. Serioiusly. I could have sat and watched them all day. And night. And... well. I don't think I would have gotten tired of it soon.

Brandon tried his hand at roping a "dogie"

We saw a mother duck,

a Sow and her piglets

Maia was a princess...

And met Barbie Princess at the Princess Dream House

And Brandon was excited to find himself with power tools! (in a cut-out picture...)

Maia played in bumper boats

Liam rode the Dragon (Coaster...)

and Brandon worked to conquer the mountain tops (he almost made it too!)

It was wonderful fun at the Fair.

One of the stops we always make when we go to the Fair is Tapestry. Tapestry is a display of all the different needle craft artists who have entered their work for judging. My MIL usually has at least half a dozen entries, and we go to see each piece. She has had at least one piece place each year - usually more than one, so we have been very proud. Well... this year there was a surprise. For me! I made her a stole for Christmas. The Estonian Garden from Fiber Trends. It was my very first piece of lace, and it was made with care and love. Do you see where this is going?

She entered it without my knowing, and I placed first in the lace competition!

And not only that, but it received a Judges Award of Merit - which basically means that it was in the final pool of needle crafts (this includes knitting, crochet, quilting, embroidery, etc) for the Best in Show ribbon. Amazing.

I can't believe that my humble (but lovely!) piece of lace was in such vaulted company. I was nearly dumbstruck. And I had to re-evaluate my own skill level. Maybe I can be considered an advanced knitter now?

I had also given her a pair of socks which managed to place second. So two entries - 3 ribbons. Unbelieveable.

I'm also thinking about what I will enter next year....

Hope that everyone's school year is off to as wonderful a start as my own.

Happy Fall everyone!

Spinning at Mach 1

2008-08-02T18:30:00.000-07:00

What an afternoon! My husband gifted me with a couple of hours today so that I could head on down to Unraveled and meet Janice (Janro on ravelry) and her lovely spinning wheel - the Mach 1 by SpinOlution

Last September the spin bug bit me, and I came home from the L.A. County fair with a simple little spindle and a tiny bag of roving. I played with it for a bit, but nothing took until I got the book Start Spinning by Maggie Casey a few weeks ago. Then I was off and running. I am now the proud mother of a couple of mini-skeins of hand spun yarn, and 1 4 oz skein that I truly hope will make a hat for me soon. I am by no means an expert at this stage of infancy in my spinning, but when I heard from Janice that she was going to be demonstrating a spinning wheel at my local LYS I knew I had to be there.

The Mach 1 is sleek and solid - two very good things as far as I'm concerned. Especially with small children in the house! I really liked the look of the wheel - it just seemed to scream efficiency. There was no wasted wood, or extra do dads to get in the way. I really liked the open hook at the front of the bobbin - the less fiddly a thing is the better I usually like it. Janice sat me down with some BFL wool and within a few minutes I was spinning a single that was passable - definitely needed work - but passable! The draw seemed smooth, and I had more fun than should be legal without alcohol for the couple of hours that I was in Unraveled this afternoon. I was able to try coarse short fiber wool, and the silken long draw of a 100% bamboo roving in addition to the initial BFL. Each was truly a unique feeling and experience, and through it all I felt like the Mach 1 performed wonderfully!

Things I liked as a beginner... no little hole to dictate how large or small my single had to be, and therefore no threading. I liked that it had multiple ratios available without having to change out whorls - you just pull up the drive belt and set it in the groove you wish. The tension was easy to find, and easy to adjust. There is nothing moving about in the back where I can't see it (and therefore have children get into when I am unawares...). And finally, the bobbin is HUGE. I have read all over Ravelry about spinning wheels with bobbins that hold 2 oz, or 4 oz, but never one like this at a whopping 8oz. My eyes glaze over just thinking about the amount of yarn that will fit onto that thing. Truly wonderful. I only wish it came with one or two more bobbins. It will be kind of hard to ply with only one bobbin....

For my first time at the wheel, it was a resounding success, and I will be putting away my pennies for a wheel starting yesterday.

And the best part of all? Christine will be selling them at her store Unraveled, in Monrovia!

It just doesn't get better than that - unless you add lessons...

Totally unrelated obsession...

2008-07-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

Dr. Horrible's Sing A Long Blog.

Go watch now.

"You'll Laugh, You'll Cry, You'll kiss 3 bucks goodbye!"
-Hardware Wars. ca 1980

Obsessions, day 2

2008-07-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

And on the second day, a beautiful baby handspun was born, hand wound and plied on my drop spindle. Totally Obsessed....

For perspective...

A second mini-skein plied. The colors are truest in this photo.

I don't think I have ever been happier just looking at a tiny ball of yarn. I'm a proud mama.

Obsessions, day 1

2008-07-14T18:02:00.001-07:00

Today I am obsessing with finding yarn for a BSJ. A friend of mine from college is due for her third in November, and I just can't pass up the opportunity to knit this little wonder. I'm planning on checking out one of my LYS when I take my boys to their summer tutoring session - we'll see. I have found myself falling in love with Crown Mountain Farms Sock Hop, based on this incredible picture I saw over at Ravelry (where else)... but alas it is $18 a skein. Of course, part of me says "what's $36 for a lovely baby sweater... sigh. I think I am sinking into the depths of the dark side of yarn snobbery. I must resist! Resist the dark side... but the dark side has chocolate. Chocolate is good. Dark chocolate too. Hmmmm.... maybe I could just take a peek at the dark side. Just a little peek....

Spider sense....

2008-06-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

Your results:
You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man		100%
Supergirl		75%
Green Lantern		70%
Wonder Woman		65%
Catwoman		60%
Superman		55%
Robin		55%
The Flash		50%
Hulk		35%
Iron Man		25%
Batman		15%

You are intelligent, witty,
a bit geeky and have great
power and responsibility.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

Just for laughs -- I always thought that I would love to be MJ, sigh....

A tale of a mighty dragon...

2008-06-19T19:30:00.000-07:00

There he sits. Rojo. Mighty dragon. He carries my family from place to place, does battle in our streets keeping us safe from harm as he wings down the black highways of L.A. And yet, there he sits. Why, you might ask, does he sit? Just sit... he rumbles and groans, but the ease with which I would guide him has been hindered. Rojo, the mighty dragon, does not want to move. His engine roars, but his wheels stay firm. His hand release for the parking brake is broken, the once strong cable torn and the handle pulled loose in my hand. We are going nowhere today.

It could have been better timing - couldn't it always - but it could have been worse. I am in Palm Dessert, visiting my parents time share, and we had just finished buying a boat load of groceries, loaded them into the cavernous rear of my mighty dragon, and were about to take off - so I thought. It was at this point that the aforementioned handle came loose into my clutch. Thankfully, it was AAA to the rescue. Liam and I went with the tow truck driver, Sam, to Palm to Pines Automotive where they would unclench the parking brake, and my mother waited with the groceries for us to return. Thankfully Maia and Brandon were with my father - but unfortunately he could not come to my mother's rescue because the car seat necessary to move Maia in a vehicle was, of course, with me. So off we went. And the brake was released, and I went to get my mother from the store. We drove back to the timeshare in triumph and joy. We parked. And that is when it happened. I stepped on the parking brake again. After having spent 3 hours of my afternoon working to free Rojo from the parking brake's grip, I engaged it again. Habit. And I have never felt so stupid in all my life.

So after several minutes of wailing and screaming, and crying to the gods about a simple lapse of mind, I turned and went into the house. I knit. I chatted with my dear friend online. I went swimming. And in the best words of Scarlet O'hara, I decided that "I'll think about that tomorrow."

The knitting is from a kit that my wonderful husband procured for my birthday, another beautiful design by Ann Hanson of Knitspot. And sitting atop that lovely mountain of fiber? The cutest little sheep that ever graced my needles, thanks to my lovely Jen, who is today sporting a new look herself.

Here's wishing you a better day.

Reflecting...

2008-06-01T12:12:00.000-07:00

So as I toodle around the internet, reading blogs and boards, reflecting on life's little subtleties, that little voice in the back of my mind starts reminding me about the fact that I have not added anything to this blog in maybe a month - not counting our backyard fire, of course.

So, what have I missed?

Brandon turning 8. This was a HUGE blow. Don't ask me what's so different about 8 than 7, but suddenly he seems much too grown up. Sigh. I keep telling myself I will let go when I need too... hope I don't end up with empty nest syndrome instead. But then again, I do love those little squishy babies.. sigh.

We had a birthday party for him in the back yard a week after his birthday. It was small, but it was a load of fun. Everyone enjoyed pizza, and Javier was out there playing a game of... of... well, I don't really know what they were playing. I just know that it involved lots of pool noodles, and ambushes by the children.

Much hilarity and joy was had by all. It was a good day.

The preschool had their carnival, and Miss Mary Mac had her last year as the Childcare Booth Chair. Mary is a hoot. I love to be around her. At least I'll still bump into her at the Elementary school for a few more years and a few more laughs. The kids had a blast riding ponies, and bouncing, and buying their own treats with the handful of tickets I got each of them this year. It was a wonderful day had by all.

Brandon competed with his Cub Scout Troop in the Pinwood Derby. He had a blast, but didn't win a thing. I love youth.

We got kittens. 3 of them. They are beyond cute, and I can't even begin to express how adorable it is to see my rough and tumble Liam curled around a baby kitten. He is more attached to his kitten than either of the other two, and he makes sure that she is fed, and comfortable, and in his arms about 2/3rds of the day. It is beyond cute. We have Fluffy Kitty (aka Dr. Pepper per my hubby), Tiger (that's Brandon's), and then the dangerously beautiful Kiki (Liam's pride and joy.)

My older brother turning 47. Dude. No words. But I have to mail his present soon...

My siblings turning 31 - David and Danae - somehow them being over 30 just makes me feel really old. Sigh.

(That's David Girlfriend, Lea)

Then my best friend (from across the continent) Jen getting yet another year older thousands of miles away.

Javier and I celebrating our 12 anniversary. Yah, all of you who bet we would last a year...ya'll can suck it. :D

(Anyone getting the feeling there are a lot of celebrations for us in May?)

And Liam got is very first Spotlight Award at the school - for "Asking great questions, and getting the answers!" This is very much my Liam. I love it.

And that kind of brings us up to date - at least on the big stuff. My birthday is coming up. Maia's birthday is coming up and we are planning a little get together in the park. I hope it goes off well. My secret weapon of choice? Costco. Cake. Pizza. Cheap and good. Doesn't get much better.

Well, off for now!

Round the Home Fire...

2008-05-19T19:52:00.000-07:00

So I'm finally back at the keyboard, armed with pictures of the fire that was right behind our house. The Firemen did a fantastic job, keeping the fire moving slowly behind our hills, treating almost like a controlled burn - reducing the risk to all of us later in the fire season. Not one house was lost, though the fire burned right behind the northernmost homes across the breadth of Sierra Madre. There were helicopters, spotter planes, and hand crews. It was a tremendous and impressive effort. How to send enough thanks to the brave men and women who battle heat and flame to keep your home safe, I will never know. But I will continually try.

This is what we saw by day...

smoke....

The tanker diving...

dropping fire retardant foam...

one helicopter....

hand crews working....

fire trucks being stationed....

second helicopter

smoke on the hill...

spotter plane...

And at night ...

The window you see here is our kitchen window...

At this point we packed up the children and left for my mother-in-laws, who was kind enough to take us all in - cat, dog, and bird. I will always be grateful to her for being there for us, without question. I will never get over how lucky I got when it came to my in-laws. I only hope they know how much I appreciate them, and every kind thing they do for us.

We were with my MIL for a little over two days total. It was a grand vacation for the children, and a good place to wait for news while the fire fighters worked so hard for us day and night. It was really good to get home.

More tomorrow on what we've been up to. Promise!

The hills are burning...

2008-04-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Not much writing today as I am blogging from my Mother in Law's home. On Saturday a fire started in the hills behind our house. Around 2 am the fire crested the hill behind our house, and the police went up and down our street with a siren asking residents to leave. We are all well, we have all our animals, and I think we have everything that we would truly miss. So far no houses have burned, so I am still hopeful that we will be able to return home with everything still intact. Keep neighbors who have chosen to stay behind in your thoughts.

I hope you all are having a better Monday morning. Take care everyone.

Saturday...

2008-04-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

Saturday. A lovely day, all together. The alarm does not go off anymore. I can take the day at my own pace, and enjoy my children. I love Saturdays. And even more when Javier is actually able to be home. Last weekend was wonderful... 4 days of having my husband home and in bed was lovely beyond compare. Sadly, he is at work right now. Such is life. I still have high hopes for Sunday though...

We have lots going on during the week, especially next week. Our shower is half tiled... yard clean-up starts on Monday, there's a dumpster in my driveway that I have high hopes of filling at least 4 times with all the junk hanging around. I think one of the reasons I can never get a hold of the Flylady way is because I don't get rid of the clutter. So clutter! You are on notice! Eviction begins today! I have at least shined my sink every day since Thursday. So far, so good.

I also feel like I'm doing fairly well on the goal I set for myself on ditching my body clutter as well. I'm drinking more water than I think I ever have (as evidenced by my constant attendance at the bathroom). I may actually get my bathroom sparkling soon too, as I try to swipe at something each time I go in there. Overall, I'm feeling pretty good for the day. Just missing my hubby.

Well, off to clean up, shine my sink, and maybe even knit a bit.

Goodnight!

Of this and that....

2008-04-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

Where do I begin?

At the end of March it was deemed necessary to destroy my bathrooms. My husband was direly predicting failure for a second year at the American River 50mile Ultra marathon. I went WAY off program on Weight Watchers and I fear the scale come Thursday, when I have promised to step back onto that scale and find out how much I weigh. Again. Even if Jessica Magallanes is the one recording my weight. My home is still a mess. Well, that wasn't really news. But it is a constant source of distress to my husband, and therefore to me.

Sooo. The bathrooms first? For about 6 months now my husband and I have been increasingly aware that there is black mold in our bathroom. It is growing not only in our shower in a manner that is much to forward, but is also growing THROUGH the the drywall and paint. Not happy. We were also told that the toilet needed to be reseated in the communal bathroom, as there was water leaking. Hmmmm. Apparently that was a rosy assessment of the state of my bathrooms. Water was not "leaking" but flowing profusely from both the toilet, and from under the tub. The floor was not properly sealed at the edge of the bathtub. We knew this. We could see the linoleum curling away from the tub. But we blithely ignored it for quite a long time, as we didn't know exactly when my parents will be claiming this house and rebuilding it. Why spend money now when it is only going to be ripped apart in a year or two? So was our thought process, and so continues to be our thought process about much in our home. But my parents have decided (perhaps partially because their current home is being entirely rebuilt due to the recent flood in their home) that they would like to try to live in their multi-level home for as long as possible - maybe up to 10 more years. While on the one hand this is great news, as I would not have to move anytime soon, it also means that things like leaky bathrooms and black mold cannot be ignored indefinitely. So they had someone come over to look. Someone turned out to be no one other Steven Geiselman - a blast from my past as the little brother of a couple a my good friends from high school. I knew he had been doing construction, but I didn't know that he was starting to step out as a contractor.

Well, he came in and looked at my less than stellar bathrooms, and discovered that the floor was nearly completely rotted in the communal bathroom from all the years of water flowing over it. So out it came. The whole floor.

There was nothing but joists and dirt below.

A whole new floor was built, my vanity with matching tile to the shower was in pieces, and there were holes that just could not be fixed in the wallpaper.

So...I inherited a vanity from my parents house, delved in the mystic arts of wallpaper removal, and presto change-o, we have a lovely little bathroom in the hall. (Side note - I hate walking on dirty paper for days on end.)

Once that was done we went to Sacramento for the weekend. Really. We did. For up in Sacramento is the American River 50 mile Ultra marathon. The same race that beat Javier last year, much to his chagrin. But he signed up again, determined to finish this year. And they the job trials began. I know that I have blogged about this in bits and pieces, but here it is all together. Last October Javier's company (of the last 8 years or so) was bought by an investment group bent on creating a massive printing conglomerate for the west coast. So... 2 companies became 1. Always a joy. But Javier seemed to be immediately recognized as a valuable employee, was sent for training in Vancouver, Canada on a new software system, and was a major part of the team creating the new workflow system. Then he was offered a management position. (There was much rejoicing). Then his schedule changed to a strange system of 7 days on, 7 days off - but he seldom got his 7 days off - usually there were meetings or more training scheduled in there.

In the midst of this he was having great difficulty finding the time and energy to properly train for a 50 mile run in the mountains.

Finally, we get there. We wander around a little the day before.

Already I'm much happier because for all his worry, he was a lot less stressed out than last year.

We were able to enjoy the time together.

We were able to go to the start line without children ( a good thing when you need to be there before 6am....

And I have to say, I LOVE watching him come running in to the aid stations

... cheering him on as he grabs a bite to eat, gets more water, checks his shoes, and then off he goes. It's kind of like being part of the pit crew for a race car - only runners move a lot slower. The kids like seeing him come in - we're working on the waiting part. I think next year I'll have it better laid out. Anyway, He started off much better this year, making good time - but towards the end he was coming into the stations later and later, but always before the cut-off. At the very end, as we all waited by the finish line (12 hours after the start) I bounced on my toes, watching the runners come in - smiling, crying, shaking, or just plain happy to have finished the race. I watched the clock. I moved. I encouraged the kids to play nicely. I watched. I worried. I began to ask how many more racers were left on the course. 10 became 5. I watched them start to dismantle the finish line. Flags and barricades were coming down. 5 racers became 3. I stopped asking. I stood there, hoping fervently that he would make it across the finish line before the clock turned on the fateful 13 hours allowed to finish the course. And then I saw him come into view around the corner. The kids began calling and shouting "Dada! Dada!" And relief and joy just filled me. He finished - at 12:55:55. That is 12 hours, 55 minutes, 55 seconds. He had finished with 4 minutes to spare. The last racer to cross the finish line. But most important - he had finished. I think that was one of the best moments. Something he had worked so hard to achieve, something he had wanted so badly. It was really a wonderful thing to see him get his finishers jacket. A jacket that only someone who has finished this 50 mile race will have. Really wonderful.

And I was so happy to be there, and happy that his mother got to see him finish too. It was a wonderful day. We celebrated by having chinese food delivered to the hotel room - he wasn't going much farther that day.

It was a nice drive home the next day - we stopped and visited with his Uncle Sonny for a few hours, where the boys were especially excited to have a few acres of yard to run around in and eat a nice home cooked meal for a change (amazing how much you miss home cooked food after a few days of restaurants and fast food).

It was really good to get home again.

Then it was time to start ripping out our shower. Remember the black mold? Turns out the hot mop (read black tar water barrier under your shower) had been leaking for a few years, and the mold has been growing enthusiastically under our house. So, we tear out our shower - or more precisely, Steve tears out the shower and replaces wet wood and puts in state of the art "greenboard" for the walls, and gets everything ready for the hot mopper. The hot mopper came yesterday and filled my bedroom and bathroom ( and the rest of the house too ) with the unmistakable smell of tar. Today we were supposed to be seeing the tile guy - but as it is tax day, he had other pressing business to attend to. I don't mind. It meant that I got to go to Mops (a mothers group) and have a hot breakfast that I didn't have to cook, and tea with lovely ladies and just relax while my daughter gets to play in another room. A good way to spend a morning. Tomorrow the tiling begins, and I am one step closer to getting my bathroom back, and getting construction workers out of my bedroom every morning. Sigh. I miss being able to climb in bed with my husband for a little in the morning. Javier has been sleeping in Maia's room during the day while the construction goes on. But soon, we will have our space back, and it will be better than it was before, and I am grateful.

As to weight loss, I need to get back in there again. I have always struggled with my weight, but still managed to be a happy person none the less. But I am feeling less and less able to keep up with my active boys, and I want to go hiking and play soccer, and ride our bikes to the beach, and all those wonderful active things. It is time to put the full force of my being into really getting rid of this extra weight. Besides - it will be fun to make my husbands eyes pop when I put on a dress and high heels again. :D I actually miss that. Shallow? Maybe. But human too, I think. Jen and I have decided to help each other in this - so we are going to start being accountable to each other. In fact, I know that she has some idea up her sleeve, and can't wait to hear what she's got cooking for us. Wish me lots of luck, and lots of lost poundage. Maybe I'll even post a few pictures of me - ugh. That will definitely be some incentive to lose those pounds! Being comfortable in front of a camera would be a good thing too.

Well, that brings us up to date -

I'm still knitting the Wabenschal. I'm working on Liam's Tomten (but slowly) and just for fun I crocheted a little cap for Maia yesterday. It was good to do something a bit different with the yarn. I've been too busy to get into any complicated projects, too tired to think of complicated patterns, but bored with garter stitch right now. I need a really complex lace shawl to start after all this work is done. That will make the garter stitch more relaxing and less boring I think. ;D

And finally, I need to make a pledge to start doing my Flylady again. Anyone want to join me? I have really got to get my house under control. This has always been a struggle for me. And even though I am good at ignoring it, there comes a point where I snap. And that just isn't good because I yell at my babies for not cleaning their toys up. But really, I haven't helped them develop any habit of doing it. I know it's my fault ultimately, but in the heat of the moment, I am still not a happy person to be around. My family deserves better. And especially my husband. He works so hard for us - he deserves a restful home, not a cluttered and dirty one. So I will begin with a true baby step. I will shine my sink each day. I will put a gold star on my calendar each day I do it. And I will tell someone about it, everyday. (Yes, the blog will count as a person.. hehe)

I'll check in tomorrow and let ya'll know how it's coming along.

GASP!

2008-03-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

Okay - I'm up for air.

I have been totally submerged in Ravelry. Totally. I know.. this usually happens right after you sign up. But I was good. A little here. A little there. Add to my wips. Then I discovered the forums. Totally addicting. I don't get a whole lot of adult conversation as a SAHM of 3. It sort of comes in spats with my husband, when he is home and conscious enough to have a conversation of any length. Ah, but Ravelry.... I can talk about yarn. I can talk about religion, or the lack of it. I can talk about Harry Potter, or the Princess Bride, or my new love for the design world of Elizabeth Zimmerman. I can talk about lace, I can talk to designers about how I might get something I'm working on actually published. I can talk politics, or I can talk about the home. Instant conversation. Lovely. Dangerous. Time sucking vortex... ahhhh.... must escape pull of black hole....

Whew.

I think I just missed the event horizon there.

Anyway, realizing that Friday was the official start of spring, it is time to re-enter life and actually pick up my knitting needles again (and maybe clean the house).

So Happy Spring Everyone!

And Happy Easter as well. Enjoy a beautiful day. I promise I won't disappear for so long any time soon.

Just for fun, check out the new apocalypse....

Can I get you some Asbestos with that?

2008-03-03T12:14:00.001-08:00

For those of you following the saga of my parents home, ravaged by rain and the stupidity (lazyness?) of a roofer, there is yet another development. For anyone who knows us, you know that my father is a "collector." Many people might be moved to say pack rat, but we can all agree that there are many layers to the things in my parents home. Many. So many that it is taking more than two weeks to pack up their home by professional packers. And more than 1200 boxes. They haven't even started on the garage.

I can't quite get by that one yet. 1200 boxes. Not done yet. Head explodes. Pick up pieces.

Well, as if that weren't enough, true to form for this house, whenever you poke a hole in its walls it reveals a string of dirty secrets that end up costing huge money. Thankfully, this time the insurance company will be dealing with that end this time, because now they have found asbestos in the ceiling. That's right folks. Tearing down walls, ceilings, and floors is not enough. Now we have a Hazardous Waste Clean up to boot. Joy.

I am so glad that I'm not living there. And equally glad that my parents had insurance to cover this and a hotel room for 3 months. I keep thinking about how tight my house would have been with everyone living here. My kids were all gung ho on the idea. They LOVED the idea of Nana and Papa staying in their very own home. Treats would fall from trees, and movies would play day and night. I certainly wouldn't have minded... but it would have been tight. And very little quiet or privacy for my parents.

But seriously, I keep telling my mom that this is a really good thing, in disguise. Now, perhaps, they will find the last of the skeletons in the closet. The things that really need fixing will get fixed, and not hidden behind the walls. The floors needed replacing, especially the carpets, and everything will be clean and new - in a few months. Oh, and my brother actually moved out! Figures it would take a catastrophe to move him out of his black hole paradise. A young man without a job, and a substantial savings account could not have asked for a better set up than what my brother had. Complete autonomy. A dark room for him to hide from the daylight in. Food at his fingertips. No restrictions to his time. Computer/internet access. TV and stereo system. And, bonus, a girlfriend who didn't mind that he didn't have a job to speak of. Hehe. I love my brother. Not many people could understand why he was so content. But in my secret heart of hearts, I knew exactly why he isn't so keen on finding a job that would dictate his sleeping schedule and thought processes. Sigh. But the other half of me is terribly excited for my parents that he is moved out, and they now actually have a house to themselves. Well, they will, once it is finished. And then watch out! If I know my parents it will be a 2nd (or maybe 4th... 5th...) honeymoon.

Ahhh, love. Oh, and would you like some asbestos with that?

Finito!

2008-03-02T10:57:00.001-08:00

That's right. Done. Stick. A. Fork. In. 'Em. Done.

I have finished the V.2 of the Monkey socks for my Dear MIL. I began these socks sometime last July? Eh, somewhere in the middle there. I had nearly completed them for my MIL birthday in August (Grumble) When I discovered that they did not fit over her heel. It has been a long process. I knew I had to rip those socks. I made myself a promise that I would not work on any other socks until these were done.

Snort.

That kinda back fired in that I didn't work on ANY socks at all. For months. Finally, sometime in February I bit the bullet, pulled back the sock I was working on and began to rework the sock. I had decided to make the heel flap stretchier, and a bit longer, hoping that that would fix the problem. And that went well. I really enjoy the heel, odd as that might sound considering that most people complain about that part more than any other. I just find it exiting to see a tube turn into a sock. But as I was working my way down the foot, it occurred to me that maybe the problem wasn't with the heel at all... maybe I was measuring the length of the foot wrong... maybe, jut maybe, I needed to make the foot longer.

I measured the socks in my house, measured my feet, and came to the conclusion that I was losing nearly an inch in the what I thought was the length of the sock, and what the actual length of the sock was when someone put it on. I needed to measure from the edge of the heel flap, not from the center. Sigh. Okay. Make it longer. Then I needed to pick out the toe of the finished sock, and redo that one too. Finally, finally... done.

And I think they are beautiful. My son Brandon happily modeled the finished sock (his foot is nearly the size of his grandmothers...) and if they don't fit her this time, they are going to charity.

Happy (Belated, uh, REALLY belated) Birthday Anita!

Political Drivel on blogs, Obama, and primaries...

2008-02-29T21:45:00.000-08:00

Today I had an interesting experience. Some one told me on my blog that I was mindless. Gotta love the virtual living room. Lots of space there to put up your muddy shoes, and speak a foul mind if the notion takes you.

I have to admit, I still find it amusing that I am not speaking solely to the 4 or 5 people that I know read my blog. And really, when I posted about my new found interest in the political happenings of the Democratic Primary, I expected it to go completely unnoticed. I was really writing for myself. But I have now been called out, so to speak, so here I am, to answer to my previous post.

I logged into my mail today to find this in the comments of "On Hillary, Obama, and Presidential Things":

Posted by Anonymous: "I have yet to hear Barack Hussein Obama say anything of any substance. You have been inducted into the cult of Obama...mindlessly following and worshipping him as though you have no will of your own."

Oh the horror! How could I have not known! I always wondered where my will had gone. And I am so obviously in need of something to worship, my life being devoid of meaning these days. I only have my incredible husband (infuriating and breathtaking all at the same time) and my children, who lead me to new discoveries about life, the universe and everything daily (also infuriating and breathtaking all at the same time... I doth detect a pattern). I must have needed a cult! And so conveniently, there was Barack Obama, so utterly unimportant to my daily life and well being. Yes, that must have been what happened.

Snort

Okay, enough sarcasm. I went back and re-read my post. And considering that I was really talking to myself, and the 4 or 5 loyal readers that stumble onto my blog on occasion, it was really good! So I tell myself. It was also a little vague as to exactly why I think that Obama is not only a charismatic leader, but has it in him to be an inspirational and EFFECTIVE leader.

First of all, he is, without a doubt, charismatic. He inspires loyalty. He inspires hope. He makes people WANT to believe him. This is a talent that every politician in the world wishes they could drink for breakfast every day, and if McCain and Hillary were so blessed as to have this, you had better believe they would be using it to pave their front walk in gold. Then we would all follow the yellow brick road to the White House, and reap what mindless following sows. This is exactly what happened when Reagon was elected. The only thing that he actually succeeded in doing that had any lasting benefit for the United States is that he engaged in the ultimate game of one-up-manship that eventually put the USSR into bankruptcy and ended the cold war. Good on ya, mate! But considering the dismal failure to help the USA in any other capacity, and that he nearly bankrupted us as well, I refuse to vote for another Reagon. So, charisma aside, what is Obama made of?

Genetically? He's a little mix-up boy. A 50/50 bar, that is both white and black, all at once. Personally, I love this. My babies are little mix-up babies, 50/50 bars that are both hispanic and white, all at once. I refuse to not be counted here as their mother, and I think that Barack and his mother (were she still living) would not like the way that he is only black in the eyes of the media. He is what he is. A bridge, across nations and ethnicities. I think that the world can use a lot more of that.

He is a thinker and a believer - raised agnostic, he found God and a church that allowed him to think, did not compromise his ability to reason, and which could help him achieve his goals. Brilliant.

He has been "there". He grew up poor in Hawaii and Indonesia. He lived a middle class life when he moved in with his grandparents. He came from a broken family - his father left him when he was only 2. His mother's second marriage didn't last either. He lost his mother to cancer. He has been discriminated against, likely his whole life. He grew up feeling like he didn't belong. He admittedly used drugs. He walked a path that few find their way back from. But he did. And when he came out of that dark tunnel, he found himself an idealist, building on old fashioned values - faith, integrity, and honor. And he decided that being an idealist did not limit him to hoping and dreaming, but that he could do something about it.

He is an organizer, and an agent for change at the community level. He has worked with people in need for over 20 years, worked not just at putting band-aids on fatally flawed systems, but at making real changes that help real people. He is not afraid of making an unpopular stand. He is a first in my experience - a politician who is not concerned with how to be elected/re-elected, but with what he believes is right. I have more respect for that than just about anything else.

He fights for things I believe in. Health Care/Insurance that is affordable for an average working family. Child Welfare. Sane placement of troops, and using diplomacy before force. Ending dependence on foreign energy sources. (This might end all of the insane wars all by itself...).

Finally, he gets things done. He has been in the US Senate for 4 years, and in that time has passed a significant amount of legislation, addressing global topics, and making bold strikes at fixing what needs fixing in a flawed and overburdened law book. He has authored/co-authored more legislation that HIllary Clinton. He has passed more legislation than Hillary Clinton. He gets bi-partisan support on his proposals. She is the sole author of many of hers. I think that makes it pretty obvious who has the ability to get it done in the White House. HIllary Clinton wants to be the first woman President. Barack Obama wants to change the world. I know which is more important to me.

Should you want more information - if you care at all - here's a little light reading.

I Refuse to buy into the Obama Hype

Barack Obama, Wikipedia

"Change We Can Believe In: Meet Barack"

Barack Obama, U.S. Senator for Illinois Website

Turning Heels...

2008-02-28T17:45:00.000-08:00

Hands down, or perhaps I should say heels down, my favorite part of knitting socks is turning a heel. It seems magical to me the way the tiny short rows create this perfect little cup for my heel, to cradle it. I get tingles in my tummy every time I get to this part of a sock. I love it. And I love even more that I'm back in the sock knitting groove again. I had put down my sock needles after my failed attempt at making my mother in law socks. I had to rip back one sock to the start of the heel, to make that a little wider, and then I added another half inch to the length of the foot. The other one I had to pick out the toe, then rip it back. That hurt. Alot. But hopefully this will be a sock that fits her perfectly. If not, I'm totally donating these to charity, because I am not doing it again. Everyone keep your fingers crossed. I'll be taking them to her when they're done for the final fitting. Sigh. Now I have to put down my needles and feed my children.

Happy knitting to you all!

Sadly, not much knitting...

2008-02-23T08:38:00.001-08:00

is going on in my life right now. I am not entirely sure why, but it has actually been days. I am currently working on a Tomten for Liam, and a simple scarf. Oh, and I have a lace scarf on the needles, but I haven't picked that up in a few weeks. Sigh. Actually being caught up in the goings on of a political campaign is new for me, and I find myself wanting to watch debates, and reading analysis blogs that I would never have bothered with before. I think Javier is afraid I'm going to become some political nutcase, or worse, be disappointed in my choice. I sincerely hope not.

My mom comes home today, and hopefully I will be able to help my father get their little "residence inn" condo livable. Right now it looks a little like a fall out shelter, covered in boxes and stereo equipment. Strangely no food... I love my father dearly, but he does have a bit of the absent minded professor to him. He has all his music, and nothing to eat. My dad seemed to think that my mom would take care of that tomorrow when she is looking over the damage to their house, and I'm sure she will. It just seems funny to me that he wouldn't have brought anything with him except wine before that. It was also funny how he had already managed to cover every flat surface with SOMETHING! I think if my dad has a super power, it is the power to obliterate clear flat surfaces! :D I must have inherited that particular power from him.... Maybe my super power for being stubborn comes from my mom. Now I just need to find someone with the super power to clean anything, and I will live peacefully for the rest of my days. Gee, I must be missing Heroes. Anyone know if that is schedule to come back soon? (she asks, crossing her fingers and hoping fervently that the writers strike is almost over...)

Other than that, I really hope to get some work put into my own home today. My own super power to obliterate clear surface space has been top notch lately, and I have to do damage control, or risk having hubby blow sky high. I have a pile of toys waist deep in the living room begging to be sorted and put away, so that is probably what I will be doing today. And I definitely have a date that cannot be missed with Mt. Washmore.

Hopefully I will achieve a great deal while hubby is out running today. Javier is starting to near his next big race again. The AR50. That would be 50 miles of trails around the American River up in Sacramento. Last year was his first time, and he did not make it to the finish, but made an incredible effort. This year, his training looks quite a bit different to me, but his work schedule is a lot different. I am worrying a little about him, but I know that he will run hard, and do his best, and that is a lot. I would just hate to see him not finish again. He was so bitterly disappointed last year. It is kinda funny how him finishing is not intrinsically important to me, but because it is so important to him, it becomes important to me. Anyway, send him your good thoughts on that.

Now it is time to tie up my children to their beds.. the sibling sagas continue....

On Hillary, Obama and presidential things....

2008-02-18T06:46:00.000-08:00

Today I woke up with my mind busy at work already. Strangely, about the Democratic Primary. I have always strongly believed that to vote was one of the most important things I do as a citizen. But I seldom fret about what happens after that. I spoke. My voice was counted. The people made their decision. Sometimes I shake my head in wonder, or even disgust, but usually, I let it go. The worst was when George W. Bush Jr. was elected president the first time. I threw a shoe at my TV as I sat watching the lunacy that handed W. the presidential mantle, and Gore the popular vote. Still can't quite get around that one. Oh, I know how it happened, courts or no courts. But it still seems wrong on so many levels. When our intrepid president was re-elected, I cried. And turned my presidential thoughts to 2008, when I knew that there was hope for change again. I bit my lip. I grumbled about policy, the raping of the earth, bad economy, and worst of all, a war that there was no way to win. Time moved on, as time will, and here we are, 2008, and change is coming.

I remember voting for Bill Clinton. He was my first election ever, and I remember him with the fondness that I think only your first can engender. I had just turned 18. I had been too young to vote in the primary, but I was excited to join the adult population and have a voice that November. Friends sat around the Mirror Pools at PCC, or we talked over criss-cut fries at Carl's Jr. debating the pros and cons of re-electing President Bush, or bringing in someone new - namely Clinton. Full of hope, I voted, and experienced the joy of having my candidate elected. And he did not disappoint. There was economic prosperity. No more wars. And best of all, the national deficit was disappearing, and Social Security was being shored up. There was hope. There was prosperity. And even though some people accused him of waffling in his decisions, I knew that he was one of the most intelligent presidents we have had, and that intelligent people consider new information and change their stance as necessary.

I slowly became aware of Hillary at that time. She was a strong woman - so strong that people suggested that perhaps she ran the Oval office. I would laugh. I liked her. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind. To work for things that made our lives better. She stood out. I was proud to have a first lady that did more than smile and wave to the camera. She fought for healthcare - something that I did not fully appreciate until I had children in the midst of the fiasco that became our economy as W. took over the reigns. And she became a real woman to me as she fought with press and husband over infidelity and questions about decisions that she has made. Secretly I admired her strength and her ability to forgive. When she ran for Senate I applauded the New Yorkers that gave her the chance to have her own political career outside of her husbands. And I liked most of what I heard about her decisions, and I hoped that she would run in 2008 and blast away the blundering idiocy in leadership that I have been forced to endure for the last 8 years.

So when the California Primary came around I looked at the candidates that would be on my ballet. John Edwards I had liked from before - but I was certain Hillary was going to grab the nomination. I hoped he would be VP. Obama was nearly completely off my radar. I had heard his name. Saw his face. Heard his slogan of change. But I didn't see anything new in my cursory glance at him. I was voting for HIllary. And I did.

And then Barack Obama caught my attention.

I began to realize that this person I had barely noticed was giving Hillary a real run for her money. Why? I started to look for articles. I watched YouTube clips. I began to notice a difference. I listened to him speak. And strangely, I began to hope. It was like he was picking my secret political desires from deep inside my head and speaking them out loud. Real change in Washington. Unification of people and politics of this country. Healthcare that I could afford, and not be penalized because I couldn't. Someone who not only spoke against Federal Lobbyists, but who actually didn't take their money! Someone who had shown himself to be a man of high moral standard and values, and who had acted upon those values from the beginning of his career. Hard Work. My word is my bond. The way the world is, and the way it should be. Hope. Don't lose hope. It is not lost unless you allow it to be.

I realized I had allowed true hope to slip through my fingers. I had voted for Hillary because I thought she could do a damn sight better than the establishment to date. And I still believe that. But Barack Obama touched deep into my soul. He speaks to me from his heart. When I hear an ad from Obama, I hear his voice, I see his face. I see honesty. I see a man I can respect as a husband and father. I see a man that I can stand behind with pride. He has inspired me in a way that I have never before felt in my life for any candidate, in any race, ever. I am daring to hope that he could make it into the Oval Office and not only retain his integrity, but inspire integrity in others on Capital HIll. That we might begin to fight over what is right, and not over an invisible party line. That I could be a truly proud American. That I could be proud not only of the freedoms that this country affords me, but of the leadership, and the global direction this country takes, instead of apologizing for bad leaders, bad policy, and warmongering.

My husband began to notice my obsession with my computer.

"You know, this is what you should have done BEORE the primary." He said.

"I know." And I felt truly awful that I had not, for it would have been one more vote for Obama in a hard race. I have never been that passionate about politics. It has always seemed a broken system to me. Money, power, little concern with what is right, and too much concern with what to say to get elected. Not what to DO, what to say. Not who you are, but who you seem to be. I have been nearly hopeless for a long time. To feel real hope for real change blossom in my chest is truly frightening. I suddenly seem to have so much more to lose. And it means so much more to me. That Obama win, and not just a Democrat suddenly seemed important.

Did I mention that my husband is a registered republican? I bring this up because though I barely managed not to hurt him for voting for W. not once, but twice, we have always been able to agree to disagree. That is why his next statement floored me.

"I really hope Obama wins."

"What, the Primanry? He just might. But why? Do you think McCain will have an easier time beating Obama than Clinton?"

"No, not that. He needs to be the next president. He is going to change things in this country." I held my breath. Could it be? We agreed? Did my husband dare to hope too? Had he been as lost as I?

"He'll be the first black president. That is definitely going to get someone angry, and when it does, he is going to become a Martyr for this country - just like JFK, just like Abraham Lincoln. And when he dies in office, it will open people's eyes across this country and change will come. Just like it did for JFK. The best thing he can do for this country is die in office."

I watched my husband walk out of the room, speechless. My husband WAS daring to hope, had been hopeless, just as I had. But he did not believe the way I was beginning to. He still cannot believe in any one politician, or in any real change in the way things are done in Washington. My heart raced as I realized that I was beginning to. I wanted change. And Javier is right, Obama dying in office would definitely create an uproar, and change would happen. But my insides screamed. I don't believe that the change my husband hopes for can only be achieved through death. I believe that Barack Obama can be that man that we need to make changes in this country from top to bottom. To heal the wounds that have simply been ignored. And that in the process we can have what we haven't dared to dream in decades. Real, honest leadership that we can believe in as a country. For the first time in my life, I feel myself becoming passionate about the politics of this nation, and I believe that anything is possible right now.

I have become not just an Obama supporter, I have become a believer. The apathy of years past is beginning to evaporate, and I am afraid. Will it matter? I have to believe that it will. For I have found hope.

Don't get me wrong. I still believe that HIllary would be 10,000 times better than continuing with the inane policy set forth by the current administration. She is, after all, a woman, and has GOT to have more sense than most on capital hill on that quality alone. And though I have more respect for McCain than most Republican leaders, he still represents more of the same. I cannot just accept another 8 years of this insanity.

So today I find myself in a unique position for my life. I hope. I dream. And now I wonder, will my dreams come true? I must pin that hope on a man I have never met. Who doesn't know me, and likely never will. If I am lucky, some day he may thank me for my vote, should I be allowed to give it to him. And yet, I dare to believe that he will continue to touch into my private hopes and dreams, and bring them to the light and to a reality that I want to be a part of.

If you have not seen the change, if you have not heard the voice, if you do not have hope or belief in what we have in this country, go look at Barack Obama. There are clips of him in the news, on youtube, on his website. Read his policy. Read his hopes and dreams. They are good ones. And you might just find hope, real hope, blossoming in your own heart. Don't be too afraid, for I have learned that lack of action due to fear has never solved anything. Facing your fear, and doing something about it - that is where our true power lies. I will be hopeless and powerless no more.

Mama! Camu! Camu!

2008-02-16T17:35:00.000-08:00

"Shamu! Shamu!"

The chant echoes through the stadium as an enormous orca speeds through the water. You can see the water dip behind him as he builds speed for his next leap in the air, and then there is a wall of water rushing toward you. My son, Brandon reaches out to try to touch it.

"I want to sit in the splash zone next time, mama, can we?" I laugh, thinking that next time better be during a hot summer day.

We got to Sea World early, after a somewhat extended misadventure attempting to find a breakfast place. Jack in the Box has never been my idea of the ideal breakfast place, but beggars cannot be choosers. Still, we were there before the park opened, and happily wandered in to look at Shamu in the underwater viewing tank. My daughter was entranced. She kept repeating "Camu? Mama, mama, camu?" She would wait for him to swim past, face pressed to the glass. We had to bribe her to leave the tank so that we could see some of the other animals there.

Luckily she wasn't disappointed. Next was feeding bat rays at the Forbidden reef. We stayed there for quite a while.

I have to say, feeding bat rays is a truly unique experience. It feels like a wet and slimy vacuum cleaner sucking little fish out of your fingers. If you have never tried it, I definitely recommend it as a truly unique experience.

Maia comes nose to nose with a bat ray looking for love....

Liam was the bravest. He would pet them on the nose, and then stick his fingers under the mouth and giggle as they slurped up the little frozen fish.

It was amazing watching these animals climb half way out of the water to get to the hands that had the fish.

As it lifted it's head out of the water you could hear these incredibly loud sucking noises against the side of the pool.

Amazing how this didn't get old.

We even had one try to climb into one lady's lap! Watch him come right up out of the water.

Just look at how fast Brandon and Liam (and everyone else too...) get out of the way.

Quite the excitement.

Our Liam was quite the photographer for the day too. Here he is getting a shot of a Moray Eel.

Lovely, isn't it?

And of course there were the Penguins. Notice how bright it is in there? If you have ever been to see the penguin exibit in San Diego, you will know that they mimic the natural light of the Antarctic there - which means that it has been dark every other time that I have seen them, as our summer is the antarctic winter, and thus no light.

In fact, the prospect of actually seeing the penguins in the light was a large motivation for planning this trip at this time of year. I think it was worth it. Look at these proud Emperors up on their ice slab. Very cool.

There were Walrus
(The polar bears were sleeping....)

And Maia communed with the great white whale....Gotta love the Beluga.

Things we didn't get pictures of were feeding the dolphins (I had the best time with this. There was one female that kept coming up to me to have her nose rubbed - whether or not I had fish.) and the Shark Encounter. Maia is constantly asking when she can go back to see "Camu in the water." And Brandon is planning on a special encounter with the penguins next time. Liam is looking forward to finding more sharks. We had the best time at Sea World. Definitely an experience to repeat.

As to other news, things are moving along with my parents house. There is a whole team of people from the ServiceMasters Clean Team packing up everything in the house so that floors, walls, and ceilings can be replaced. It is quite something to see dazed looks on a professional packers face as they attempt to size up the vast quantity of art, literature, books, and instruments that my father has collected over the years. It can be intimidating to the uninitiated, and downright overwhelming to those who have to figure out what to do with it all. I am projecting positive, can do vibes in their direction tonight.

Ooohhhhmmmm. Ooohhhhmmm. (Boot to the Head) Ooooohhhhhmm.

When the sky is falling...

2008-02-15T20:27:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we spent a totally awesome weekend in San Diego. My kids were introduced to Shamu. They fed dolphins and bat rays. We walked all over the world famous San Diego Zoo and lived to tell the tell. I even have pictures.

But that's not what I'm writing about today.

Have you ever had the feeling that the sky was about to fall? Well, that would be what my father was feeling as he watched the roofer walk away Wednesday afternoon. There was no roof on his house. He could look up through beams and see stars through the loosely weighted tarp - all that separated him and his home from the elements. And then -of course- it rained. I have never seen so much damage done in a few hours, with a little rain. It wasn't a big rain. No howling winds. I didn't even wake up to the sound of the pitter patter outside my window. But that little bit of rain early Thursday morning has put my Dad and brother in a hotel room for the next 6 weeks or so. My mom (lucky soul) is in Hawaii at the moment with her sister. I'm not sure that I would rather be thousands of miles from the disaster of my home, but if I had to be anywhere, Hawaii is a pretty good place to be. I get to be her surrogate tomorrow and attempt to pack what she will need for work and weekends for when she comes back a week from tomorrow. It is an odd feeling, desperately trying to clear a room with a little twin bed for your father to sleep in after a distress call at 6pm. But I was grateful that I had a bed to offer him. And I'm grateful that he and my mom (and brother) are going to be comfortably set up by the insurance company in a hotel for the next six weeks. I didn't mind putting them up, but all I have to offer is my daughters bedroom, and one twin bed. We were going to have to get at least one more bed, and my father, mother, and brother would have had to share it. Not exactly comfortable or private. I'm happy that they have a two room suite with a kitchen (can anyone say privacy?)

Now we just have to wait and see how many walls and floors need to be replaced. Amazing how things seem so normal one moment, and soo uh, NOT the next. Sigh.

Here's to hoping that everyone enjoys a wonderful long weekend.

Knitty Gritty

2008-02-06T22:51:00.000-08:00

Hey Ya'll

Sending out word that Knitty Gritty apparently needs a little help. Found this on the knitlist.

"If you haven't noticed it Knitty Gritty seems to be being faded out
on DIY and HGTV, it has been religated to ridiculous time slots, and
no new shows have been filmed!!
It seems like the craft shows in general are being tossed aside for
other topics!!

When the networks cancelled the show Jericho there was an outrage and
outpouring of support. The fans did a crazy thing. They each send 1
peanut to the network! On May 29th the network received 10,000 pounds
of peanuts.. Needless to say Jericho is back!

So let's follow suit! There is a campaign on to bring Knitty Gritty
back to a decent hour, and get more new shows filmed and aired!

Simply do this.. Knit a 7x9 swatch out of acrylic, or other washable
yarn. And send it to the network at:

Scripps Networks P.O. Box 51850 Knoxville, TN 37950

We want to try to get the bulk of them there on Valentines day! So
put a note on the swatch that you love Knitty Gritty! We are
encouraging Scripps to send the swatches they receive to Warm Up
America.

We have rocked the vote before getting a loom knitting show on Knitty
Gritty, so let's show our thanks by supporting them when they need it!

Please.. if you love Knitty Gritty, join us and lets flood the
networks mailbox with Knitty Love!!
And get the word out on your blog or whatever forum you are member of
where you think that there would be interested knitters!!
Thanks!!"

Let's Knit!

Pink Cowboy Boots

2008-02-04T19:11:00.000-08:00

"My Boots! My Boots! Mama, my Boots!"

This is what I hear over my shoulder as I peruse the Knit and Tonic website. Girlfriend looks a lot like Maia from behind, and I happen to be contemplating buying the pattern "Girlfriends Swing Coat Sweater." In the photo, Wendy's little Girlfriend is wearing the brightest pink cowboy boots. And apparently, Maia believes they are hers, and that I should produce them post haste, because obviously there she is, wearing them. I love 2 year olds. If I try hard enough, perhaps I can believe that the model in my magazine is me too....

Anyone know where I can get hot pink cowboy boots?

Ragdoll

2008-02-03T15:33:00.000-08:00

Okay, you all can just shoot me now. I have been thinking about finding a new kitten for a couple of weeks, when I suddenly got a bug in my ear for a Ragdoll. I had heard of them, I don't even know how long ago. They are the ultimate people cat. Large, friendly, and loving. I think that sounds about perfect for my menagerie of a family. I'm a little bit squeamish on the price, but who knows. It might never happen. But go look at these little beauties... aren't they cute?

I was reintroduced to this breed by way of Wendy Knits. Her Ragdoll Lucy is the belle of the ball. So cute and cuddly. I must have cat envy or something. So who knows what I might do at this point. I might shell out some dollars and get a "purebred" kitten - or most likely - I will wander over to the local shelter and pick out someone to come home with me. Sigh. As if I don't have enough babies around here... :D

Enter Exibit A

2008-01-31T12:42:00.000-08:00

Here he is. The love of my life. Wonderful father, loving (if occasionally crabby) husband. He is my joy, my rock, my royal pain in the a$$.

He is, of course, my husband. And if I could hit him over the head with a rubber mallet, or drug him with Acme sleeping pills I would. Seriously. This man lives under the delusion that he doesn't need sleep, or that things like folding clothes are more important. I will admit, folding clothes IS important, and if I had my domestic act together, we likely would not be having this conversation, but STILL! It is not like he's struggling along on 6 to 8 hours of sleep like a normal person. No, MY husband tries to live life on 4. 4 hours of sleep. He RUNS longer than that. SHEESH.

He works nights, so a normal sleep is usually out of the question for him, and he usually gets along pretty well. But every once in a while (like last night) he gets this bug up his #@%* to not sleep. "I have to be up all night tomorrow for work," he'll say. That would be fine with me. IF HE WOULD SLEEP THE NEXT DAY!!!! It's as if he doesn't understand that by not sleeping during the day AFTER he stays up all night, he has completely undid any good staying up might have done him, because now he will be even MORE tired. Sigh.

Anyone know any really good sleeping draughts I could mix into his morning meal before bed?

Stranded Delights

2008-01-25T09:23:00.000-08:00

Oh boy. While I was supposed to be cleaning my house this week, I sort of fell down and knit a hat instead. A stranded hat. We Call the Pirates, to be exact. OMG! I could not put the stitches down! I knit this thing in about 6 hours. Now, 6 hours is not easy to come by when you are a mom of 3, AND are supposed to be cleaning a house (badly in need, I'm afraid) but there I was, furtively knitting in corners - just a few more stitches to the end of the chart, whoops, now I've started the next repeat, well, I've got to finish this repeat now. LOL. It was WAY more addicting than I ever thought possible. Once I finished the knitting I had to stuff it in the bottom of my bag so that I would not sew down the lining before I got a picture of the inside. It's sooo cool! So here, for your knitting viewing pleasure, I give you -

Jen's "We call them Pirates"
Made for my big Brother Scott!

The inside -

And Ta-Da!

All done!

Don't you love it? You gotta love it. Man, nobody told me this was so much fun. Probably a good thing though.
Now, I'm off to enjoy a rainy Friday with my hubby...

TTFN! (TaTa For Now!)

Let's Do the Time Warp Again!

2008-01-20T08:48:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I'm spending an inordinate amount of time fussing over which pattern I'm going to start knitting next (not counting the Tomtens' for the boys) Mostly I'm fussing about what to do with my winnings from KnitWitches... but I'm also wanting to start the "We call them Pirates" hat from Hello yarn for my big brother. He lives way across the country, and I don't see him very often, but I know he's lonely for family right now, so I want to send him some love. But I'm worried about what yarn to use, because I notice that the choice of yarn for this drastically affects the fit. Too big, or childsize is most common. Sigh. Well wish my luck on that.

Onwards, I missed a fair amount of blogging while things were being settled with Javier and his job. I realized I never got to share the Halloween photos of my kids. Wanna see? I'm really proud of these, as I sewed them all myself, and with no pattern, so I'm a little puffed up at how well they turned out.

Here's my Maia Ladybug... Isn't she cute?

And this is Liam doing his best Eragon, from the movie of the same name.

And for all those Jeremy Irons fans, here's Brandon as Brom, the old curmudgeon of a dragonrider.

I had way too much fun watching this movie and designing the costumes. I had a little trouble at the beginning as it had been long enough since I was sewing all the time that I forgot to add in seam allowance a couple of times. Seam allowance isn't that big a deal in knitting, but in sewing, you lose at least an inch and a half, if not more -so watch out! But once I got a few things straightened out, it went really well. I actually think that my adventuresome knitting helped a lot with these because I wasn't afraid to just try it. Even though I couldn't just rip it out like with knitting, I had to realize, what's the worst that can happen? I buy a little more material. Which I did have to do for one pair of pants. But I am still really jazzed about how well everything turned out. Especially the vests, which I think really make the costumes for Brandon and Liam.

Well that's it for todays blast from the past.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

A Wrinkle in Time...

2008-01-18T16:25:00.000-08:00

Where does the time go?

We had a beautiful Christmas with our family, a peaceful New Year's Eve in our home, and a lovely winter's vacation. I wasn't at all ready for it to end, but the kids are back in school, and we are settling into our new routine. Yes. Another new routine. Javier is now working 7 days on and 7 days off. Thursday through Saturday, Sunday if there is work, then Monday through Wednesday. Then he is off for a whole week. Javier is thinking it will be like having 2 weeks of vacation each month. I know it will be nice to have him around and conscious during daylight hours. And he will have time to run and de-stress a bit. We'll see. I am hopeful. It's a good thing that flexibility and patience are a part of my nature.

Okay, so if you know me, you know by now that I won the contest over at KnitWitches Yarn. (YIPEEE!!!) I have been soo excited, but felt it was bad manners to brag too much - sooo, wanna see the yarn?
Isn't it lovely? She calls the colorway "Heathered Hills" and I love it. It reminds me of the hills I used to see tromping through the English countryside when I was a footloose and fancy free student abroad. Mmmmm, I can almost smell it. Unfortunately I don't have a really good idea what I want to knit with it. I asked for all three skeins to be in the same colourway so that I could keep my options open. For most things I have way more than I would need. Then I bumped into this. The Frost Flower and Leaves Square shawl. There is just no guarantee in this life, is there? Any suggestions?

Want to see the Christmas presents? Well, the ones from Javier, anyway. The boys gave me gold heart earrings and a butterfly pendant. I'm wearing them now... I'll have to remember to take them off for picture soon.

I felt like a knitterly pirate digging up buried treasure as one thing after another came out of various bags at my feet. Life is good. It's nice to know that he's listening, and that he gets what's important to me, even if he doesn't entirely get the whole knitting thing. I tell him it's okay, I don't get the whole knife thing that he's started, but he's excited, and he is enjoying learning about different styles of knife fighting, and trying to figure out the best placement for a little 2 inch black blade on his belt. In a holster of course.

It's cute, in the kind of way that watching your sons dig up worms and play in the mud is cute. And I enjoy watching him talk about the different things he's excited about - it's like peeking at a little boy who has a new toy, and I love it.

Speaking of boys and toys, besides the various electronic gizmo's that I got him for Christmas, he asked for this one book "Whoosh, Boom, Splat." I think the title speaks for itself. I am somewhat alarmed at the thought of what will be happening in our backyard on his weeks off, but it will be really good for him and the boys to have the time to bond and work together on something both constructive and destructive all at the same time. Boys will be boys.

Sooo. Back to Christmas... want to see the lace wraps I knit?

Here's my mother with her Morning Glory Wrap, designed by Anne Hanson of Knitspot.

And my Mother in Law (a crocheter of L.A. County Fair renown for her lovely blankets and accessories) opening the Estonian Garden from Fiber Trends

They went beautifully. I wish that I had been able to take more pictures. I might have to steal them back for an afternoon to try to get close ups, but they were wonderfully received. Watching their faces as they realized what was in the box. Hehe. I'm already thinking of what to do next year... maybe the Grandpas?

Oh, and speaking of Knitting, I got some new yarn with a gift certificate. My first knit of the year?
These fingerless mitts that I designed using the new stitch dictionaries that I got for Christmas. Aren't they lovely? (Even if I do say so myself!)

I also have been bit by the Elizabeth Zimmerman bug. I have been reading a new blog lately, Brooklyn Tweed. The author, Jared Flood, has been getting a bit of attention lately over a couple of patterns that he has had published in Interweave Knits - and yes, I intend to make both at some point. But he has a definite passion for EZ. I wasn't at all sure that the whole garter stitch thing was going to be for me. A little plain vanilla. But I kept reading, kept looking, and began to realize that it was more than just simple knits, it was brilliantly designed simple knits. So I finally broke down, and for my annual after christmas Amazon purchase, I got a couple of EZ books. The result?

This lovely little Tomten for Maia. The yarn is just some dark purple Simply Soft by Caron that I had in my stash. Yes, I know, acryllic. Sigh. Despite my best efforts I might be succumbing to the whole yarn snob thing. But it is so very cute, and if you look carefully, you will see my first ever zipper installed in a hand knit. (Huzzah!) It looks fantastic on Maia, and she assures me that she loves her purple sweater. Since it will be truly washable, it will be going with her to pre-school, and all the mud and paint you can get. Next I cast on for Tomtens for Liam and Brandon. There will be plenty of Garter going on here for a bit. Good thing I have a lace scarf hiding in my bag for those moments when I think I will go insane.

I'm also swatching for a sweater for Javier. I have knit him one sweater so far. It was very early in my knitting career, and made with a cheap acryllic. In view of the lovely knitterly gifting this year, I figured he deserved to reap the benefits of those things. I was surprised to learn that the yarn he was yearning for was an undyed wool, with minimal processing. Hmmm. So I went looking.

I found this incredible site, Marr Haven Wool Farm. Go look it's really something. I got a cone of the sportweight, and we're off. I'm using bigger needles than I would have normally for this first swatch because on reading a review of the yarn, it says that it fluffs up and fulls a little with washing (be careful or a little "fulling" will become felting rather quickly). So, I'm swatching, like a good girl, and actually going to wash said swatch and block before taking the guage that will become my final guage for building a sweater for my man. I'm thinking of doing something a lot like the hybrid sweater Anne did for David. I really like the ribbing up the sides, and at the collar. But I have to think a bit about how I want to do that.. Javier is not one for neck plackets. I'll keep you posted.

And in other knits I have this organic cotton I picked up at JoAnn's (I love gift cards) that I'm thinking is going to be a lacy cropped cardigan for Maia. I have been flipping through the Lace volume I got for Christmas, and I'm putting together some ideas. I think it will be lovely for Spring.

Ah, yes... Spring is in the air. Just look at the Narcissus in my yard!

They are a bit confused. But then most things in my yard are...

look at all the leaves still on my Mulberry tree! I cannot EVER remember seeing leaves on this tree past November. But the times, they are a changin' ... I'm just keeping a weather eye out now a days. LOL.

Oh, and for me? What do you think of this? Rogue. I think I'm in love....

And with that I am off to read a new book to my children... Anybody know if it's a good one?

The Twelve Knits of Christmas!

2007-12-20T09:50:00.000-08:00

I bumped into a little contest over at KnitWitches Yarns, about making up a Christmas Knitting list in the style of the 12 Days of Christmas. This is my version. Hope you all enjoy!

The Twelve Knits of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas my true love knit with me,
A Lizard Ridge Afghan In Kureyon

On the second day of Christmas my true love knit with me,
Two Starmore Arans,
and a Lizard Ridge Afghan In Kureyon

On the third day of Christmas my true love knit with me,
Three Kitty Pi Beds ,
Two Starmore Arans,
and a Lizard Ridge Afghan In Kureyon

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love knit with me,
Four Baby Blankets
Three Kitty Pi Beds ,
Two Starmore Arans,
and a Lizard Ridge Afghan In Kureyon

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love knit with me,
***Five Lace Shawls***
Four Baby Blankets
Three Kitty Pi Beds ,
Two Starmore Arans,
and a Lizard Ridge Afghan In Kureyon

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love knit with me,
Six pairs of mittens
**Five Lace Shawls**
Four Baby Blankets
Three Kitty Pi Beds ,
Two Starmore Arans,
and a Lizard Ridge Afghan In Kureyon

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love knit with me,
Seven Monkey Socks
Six pairs of mittens
**Five Lace Shawls**
Four Baby Blankets
Three Kitty Pi Beds ,
Two Starmore Arans,
and a Lizard Ridge Afghan In Kureyon

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love knit with me,
Eight Fetching Mitts
Seven Monkey Socks
Six pairs of mittens
**Five Lace Shawls**
Four Baby Blankets
Three Kitty Pi Beds ,
Two Starmore Arans,
and a Lizard Ridge Afghan In Kureyon

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love knit with me,
Nine Koolhaas Caps
Eight Fetching Mitts
Seven Monkey Socks
Six pairs of mittens
**Five Lace Shawls**
Four Baby Blankets
Three Kitty Pi Beds ,
Two Starmore Arans,
and a Lizard Ridge Afghan In Kureyon

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love knit with me,
Ten Felted Clogs
Nine Koolhaas Caps
Eight Fetching Mitts
Seven Monkey Socks
Six pairs of mittens
**Five Lace Shawls**
Four Baby Blankets
Three Kitty Pi Beds ,
Two Starmore Arans,
and a Lizard Ridge Afghan In Kureyon

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love knit with me,
Eleven Scarves a waving
Ten Felted Clogs
Nine Koolhaas Caps
Eight Fetching Mitts
Seven Monkey Socks
Six pairs of mittens
**Five Lace Shawls**
Four Baby Blankets
Three Kitty Pi Beds ,
Two Starmore Arans,
and a Lizard Ridge Afghan In Kureyon

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love knit with me,
12 Christmas Stockings
Eleven Scarves a waving
Ten Felted Clogs
Nine Koolhaas Caps
Eight Fetching Mitts
Seven Monkey Socks
Six pairs of mittens
**Five Lace Shawls**
Four Baby Blankets
Three Kitty Pi Beds ,
Two Starmore Arans,

and a Lizard Ridge Afghan In Kureyon!

Lace Blocking Virgin

2007-12-18T15:35:00.000-08:00

This morning my bed was empty. This might be a normal occurrence for most of you, but for me, this is rare. My husband is one of those rare souls who choose to work night shift. It has been "normal" for us since we were dating, and he would drop me off promptly at 10pm because he had to be at work at 11pm. Even with children, this has actually worked out fairly well. There is ALWAYS someone home if the school calls, or someone is sick. Javier is home for dinner with our family every night. He gets to play and talk with our children in the afternoon and evening when they are their most talkative. The down side is that he hardly ever sleeps, and I miss the warmth of him beside me during the week. But all in all this works for us.

Yesterday I finished the last of the "must do" Christmas Knitting. I had put metal to the grind stone, and cranked out the last 3 feet of my second mystery knit project. I was now faced with two incredible lace projects that needed blocking. Real blocking. The only blocking that I have done up until now has been pinning out pieces of a baby sweater on an ironing board and steaming them. A lot. Most of my work has been seamless, in the round - sweaters, hats, mitts. The occasional scarf, where I really just didn't see the need to block. But this is lace. It NEEDS blocking in the way that we need air and food. Blocking is what brings these things to life. But where? Where could I block these incredible works of art that I had wrought, with the sweat and blood of my own fingers. My pride in finishing these 2 things, and in finishing them well swelled in me - only to be following by the stark fear of blocking. This is where the sh*t hits the fan. Could I do it? I had to. I steeled myself, and scoured the house for an appropriate place.

The floor was out. I have a dog. A big black dog. A goofy, clumsy, labrador puppy. 3 years old. Nope. No floor space. Couch? No... this is still taken over with Mount Washmore, the eternal pile of laundry that I fight daily to fold and put away, but which grows to mystical proportions each day. Dining room table might do for one project, if I could find something to put on top that would hold pins, but the second project needs to be blocked out to 78" long. What's a girl to do?

At this point, I must say that I have been blessed with one of the most supportive and surprising husbands on this earth.

My husband is not the kind to model knitwear. He does not do "foo foo" things, prefers his everyday wear simple and unembellished. He is a simple, no-nonsense kind of man, and I can count the number of knit (hand knit or otherwise) objects that he has worn in the last 10 years on one hand. But in this last year, as my skill and passion for knitting has grown, he has packed the one sweater I made him as his only source of warmth on a trip to Vancouver, Canada. He asked for a hat and gloves, and wears those as well, displaying a quiet but overwhelming show of love just for me. No one else knows I made these things. But I do, and I know that this is his way of showing how much I mean to him.

Today he showed his love and support for me again - by sleeping in Liam's bunk so that I could block my lace on our bed. The bed that is never empty, but today it was. Then he topped himself by pulling a long tube out of his closet. Inside it was a blocking kit. Wires, T-pins, yardstick. I was speechless. He may not even realize yet how much this meant to me, but I hope that I can show him.

Tomorrow.

Today, I block. First I had to decide which one I was going to block first. One is smaller, but done in a fine merino/silk blend laceweight with about a bazillion stitches, and straight sides. The other, done in DK weight is much larger, but with a dagged edging - ultimately far fewer loops to push a blocking wire through. I chose to do my most delicate one first. I held my breath while it soaked in the bathroom sink,following blocking instructions gleaned from the Yarnharlot's, and Eunny Jang's blogs. I carefully balled up my pale lace, set it in a towel, pressed out the water, and laid it out on the bed. I then began the work of picking up each stitch along the edge, to make a nice straight line for the piece. This. Took. Forever.

I began at 10am, and wasn't finished until after 12pm. I finally found my rhythm about 3/4 of the way up the first side. The fabric was almost dry by the time I fnished, and I fussed about what to do if the blocking didn't take. I finally decided to let it be, and if it didn't hold shape, I could do it again. It would go faster the next time. And I wouldn't press out as much water.

But I didn't need to worry. It came out airy and smooth, a silken treasure. I can't wait until Christmas to give it to the recipient. I will definitely have to post a few photos of her wearing it.

The second one had to soak much longer. And I had to rinse. And rinse. And rinse again. The yarn is this gorgeous hand dyed from Briar Rose, called Wistful.
It was a sheer joy to knit with, and the colors are wonderful, but the colors bled. After 4 rinses, I decided that it was ready to block, even if there was still a little color left in the water. Compared to the delicate little ball the first one had made, this seemed enormous, and I didn't do as thorough a job pressing the water out. As a result, it is still not dry nearly 6 hours later. I am going to have to go to bed in 2 hours, dry or not. Sigh. I hope I don't have to block again tomorrow. As much as I appreciate that Javier is willing, I hate to evict him from our bed two days in a row. Setting up the blocking wires this time was MUCH faster. Instead of hundred of loops to pick up on each side I had a total of 44 per side. Quite the difference. Also, the larger guage made it easier as well. When I first took out the rigid blocking wires my stomach clenched. They seemed so thick! And there were no tapered ends! How was I supposed to get into these tiny stitches? At first it was a little frustrating, but after a few minutes I started to get the hang of it, and by the time I got the end of the first side, I had to accede to the fact that the people who designed these things might know a few things more about blocking than I do. So, the second piece was pinned, stretched, and blocking. I took a very close look at my piece, assessing the join, and the color change where I changed skeins. Remeber I said it was a hand dyed? This means "unique" in many different ways. The two skeins had some color variation, but I wasn't willing to have 10 million ends to weave in by alternating rows from each skein. If anyone knows how to do meld the colors, without having zillions of ends, or having to carry up the sides (just wouldn't have looked good on this piece) I would be truly interested in knowing the secret. I really liked this yarn, but I would like to meld the colors next time I invest in it - but if it means tying in thousands of ends - I don't know, I think that would ruin the joy of the knitting for me. I don't mind carrying up the sides - usually. But in this piece, it really wouldn't have worked. I might send the designer a line on her blog and ask if she has any suggestions.

So now I wait. And hope. Maybe I'll go make some fudge... just in case.

Oh Lord! I almost peed my pants...

2007-12-16T20:45:00.000-08:00

My husband just sent me this story, passed along by someone on his Ultra Running e-mail list. After a long day of parenting and desperately trying to finish my Christmas knitting, I really needed a good laugh. And another reason to be truly Thankful! Anyone out there had a moment like this? I'd LOVE to hear about it!

THE KINDERGARTEN LESSON

For most people, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what we've been given and savor the scents of crisp autumn days and pumpkin pie. For some, it's a little more complicated...

One November afternoon when my daughter was in kindergarten, I picked her up after school. She bobbed out to the car and crawled into the back seat.

"What did you do today?" I asked.

She couldn't wait to tell me. "We learned that boys are different from girls" she chirped.

Looking into the rearview mirror, I could just see the top of her head.

"My teacher told us that boys have a thing the girls don't," she added.

"Well, yes they do..." I said cautiously.

I couldn't think of anything else to say, so we were quiet for a moment.

Then she piped up again. "That's how girls know that boys are boys," she said. "They see that thing that hangs down and they know that he is a boy."

I mentally calculated the distance home. Our five-minute commute already felt like an hour.

"Did you know that when the boys see a girl they puff up?"

My palms were beginning to sweat. "Um... well.."

I was still searching for something new to say, to change the subject when she asked, "Why do the girls like the boys to have those things?"

Well I didn't know what to say. I mean, what woman hasn't asked herself that question at least once?

"Oh, well... um..." I stammered.

She didn't wait for my answer. She had her own. "It's cause it moves when they walk and then the girls see that and that's when they know they are boys and that's when they like them. Then the boy sees the girl and he puffs up, and then the girl knows he likes her, too. And then they get married. And then they get cooked."

That last part confused me a bit, but on the whole I thought she had a pretty good grasp on things. As soon as we got home and I pulled into the garage, she hopped out of the car, fishing something out of her school bag.

"I drew a picture," she said. "Do you want to see?"

I wasn't sure I did, but I looked at it anyway. I had to sit down.

There, all puffed up so to speak, looking mighty attractive for the ladies, was a crayon drawing of a great big Tom Turkey. His snood, the thing that hangs down over his beak, the thing that female turkeys find so irresistible, was magnificent. His tail feathers were standing tall and proud.

She was a little offended that I laughed so hard at her drawing, and I laughed until I cried. But when I told her I loved it - and I did - she got over her pique.

That was the end of that, for her anyway.

But I'm not so lucky. Every year I remember that conversation. And to be honest, I haven't looked at a turkey, or a man, the same way since.

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-15T11:35:00.000-08:00

I will forever have "Must be Santa" etched into my brain by the shining face of my little Liam, framing that bright face with his dear little hands, and pulling on an imaginary white beard. Be still my heart. "Up on the Housetop" can be similarly immortalized.

And then there were the wonderful renditions of "Frosty the Snowman" and "Christmas Don't be Late" that Brandon and his classmates belted out for our enjoyment.

Who would have thought that an elementary school program could be so much fun.

Simply Precious.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Mistletoe Mountain

2007-12-11T14:45:00.000-08:00

This weekend we all went up the mountain in search of mistletoe with Brandon's Cub Scout Troop. What a wonderful way to pass a day, really. It has been cold - for So. Cal - and as we drove up the mountain, we started seeing bits of white peeking at us from between the trees. Then we started seeing it sprinkled on the ground at the sides of the road. It looked exactly like powdered sugar! All my kids are in the back of the car yelling out "SNOW! Mama, Dada, I see SNOW!" It even made me positively giddy. Finally we arrived at our destination, aptly named "Mistletoe Mountain" by my boys, and we got to work with clippers and ladders, and long pole cutters. The mistletoe around here grows on the oak trees - a parasite actually - and clumps up around the branches. It has lovely little white berries, and smells wonderful. The rangers are actually quite keen to have us (and others I assume) cut it down, as it will eventually choke an oak tree, if left unchecked. Good for us (it is the troops only fundraiser) and good for the tree. Can't beat it. But the best part of the day was watching my babies play in the little patches of snow, learning how to make snowballs, and then figuring out what to do when they actually get HIT BACK! LOL. And to the troops credit, when we were finished there was hot chili and corn bread - but the best? Hot chocolate. With marshmallows. A lovely day.

Can't wait to go back next year.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

2007-12-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

It's about this time of year (when it is actually cold enough for a poor So Cal girl to dream) that I wonder if this will be one of those VERY few years that snow makes it down to our home. It never stays long enough to pile up - it seems to melt right before it hits the ground - but it is actual snow falling from the sky. And in sunny southern California, that is magic all by itself. My father can remember one year in his childhood enough snow falling to the ground that he and his brother were able to scoop it up from all over the yard and make a small snow man. If only my kids could be so lucky. This would have been in the 1950's, so maybe we're due by now? Perhaps a quick note to Santa might help things. At any rate, I'm enjoying the cold beside a warm fireplace, and about to do some Christmas knitting.

On my needles right now is Mystery Knit #2 (about 45% done), mittens (52% done), and a hat ( 20% done). Coming attractions include mitts to match the hat. A hat for the mittens. And 2 pair of socks. The socks are likely to be casualties of the Xmas knitting sprite, but they are there for now. I haven't knit a pair of socks since I FINISHED a pair for my MIL, and for some reason, she couldn't pull them over her heel. Even though all the measurements were spot on. I still haven't figured out what went wrong... I am thinking that the heel flap could be made longer, to give it more stretch. Bigger needles really wouldn't work. She has VERY petite feet. She wears a women's size 5.5, and has tiny ankles as well. The heel flap measured 2.5 inches, following the pattern with smaller needles. I am wondering now if that is something I should have adjusted... Any thoughts?

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there."
Richard Feynman (1918 - 1988)

Mama said there'd be Days like this...

2007-12-06T12:57:00.000-08:00

The holidays approach. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE the holiday season. I love the Christmas Carols playing all month long on Coast 103FM. I love all the decorations in the mall. I love to dream about decorating my house. I love the opportunity to help my children learn to give. What I don't love right now is the state of my house, and the amount of time I now have to get my home in order. Sigh. I actually thought I was doing okay, right until I dug out all of the kids stuff that had been hiding in corners and under my chairs. The kids are delighted. I, however, am not. Sigh. Much sorting to do. I have been unwilling to give up sleep until now, but perhaps this is a must... I'll have to sleep on that.

And while I'm sleeping, I'll have to figure out what I'm going to do to manage 4 boys and a little girl at the mall this Saturday. Brandon is beside himself with joy at the prospect of taking one of his best friends (along with his little brother, who happens to be one of Liam's friends) to the mall. Maia is excited because her brothers are. Me? I'm hoping I'm not in over my head... Who to call for reinforcements? That's something else to sleep on. We're also going to visit my BIL at his newly purchased home. I think. He invited us over last weekend, but unfortunately Javier was in the midst of moving a printing company from one facility to another, and I was shopping with my MIL, and hoping to catch my husband at home for a few minutes. So I think that we are going to be there on Sunday, but who knows for sure. The most exciting thing for me this weekend, is that we are going to pick mistletoe with Brandon's Cub Scout Troop. I have never done this before. I'm actually a little bit giddy.

It might even be cold enough to wear my hat and mitts!

And maybe even a scarf! Maybe I should knit the kids some mittens... it's only two days away. I could finish 3 pairs of mittens... or not.

But speaking of finished objects...I FINISHED MYSTERY PROJECT #1!!!!!! Finished. I started this puppy in AUGUST! But it is done now. Good thing that I wasn't seriously planning on giving this until Christmas. Any guesses? I can't wait to put up photos of this bit of lace blocked. I've been doing some checking around, and for my first blocking attempt, I think I'm going go with a needle, crochet cotton, and some pins. Wish me luck. I am also steadily chugging along on mystery project #2. Keep your fingers crossed for me - this should also be done by Christmas. If only I could be put on bedrest for some reason, I might be actually finish everything I'm dreaming of for Christmas Knitting. But for now, I think I'll just concentrate on this project.

Well, off to sort some toys now....

Happy Holdiays everyone!

No, the Sky has not fallen... yet.

2007-11-26T19:08:00.000-08:00

The world turns each day, and sometimes - uh - many times, I lose track of exactly how many times since I last meant to do something. Brandon is off to Cub Scouts once again, I have cooked Thanksgiving Dinner, attended Thanksgiving at my MIL's home, discovered that my husbands brother and his wife bought their first house (I'm jealous, can you tell?) I have watched Brandon perform his first speaking role in a class play, and baked numerous pumpkin pies, made fudge, and had a buffet breakfast with friends. We had parent teacher conferences in which N1 son is threatened with being held back because he has bad handwriting, and told the N2 son, despite his constant and boundless energy, as well as a knack for finding trouble, is doing wonderfully well in Kindergarten. My husband is beginning to wear thin (I say that loosely... I think that he's actually about to break personally) after a month and a half of preparing to shut down the printing company he has worked at for the last 10 years, to eventually leave behind the first boss he has ever truly respected, and begin life with the group of Investors who bought his company in an effort to make more money. Javier has run a Trail race. Brandon and Liam have finished up their soccer season, complete with pictures and trophies ... much squealing and joy ensued - by everyone. Somewhere in there my mother turned 65, and we celebrated at Disneyland.... which might be becoming a family tradition. All of this is happening, I took many pictures. I just have not found the time to blog about it. I can hardly believe that I am doing this now... even sans pictures. Really I should be doing dishes. Oh.. and I was supposed to be doing the nanowrimo. I have a good story planned. And to get it written, I may have to do my own month of writing ... just later. I haven't even managed one word on a page yet. Sigh.

But I am here. I am well. My family is well, and in good spirits. I am more thankful than ever for the things I have, and the people who love me. I have good friends. A wonderful family. Beautiful, smart, and energetic children. A husband whom I not only love, but whom I admire, and cannot express in any meaningful way how grateful I am for everything he does for us. Every. Single. Day. This year, far more than most, I am Thankful.

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving to everyone.

Knitting Cure for "Nerves"

2007-11-08T13:12:00.000-08:00

Another week has come and gone. Javier is mostly back on nights as of this week. I say mostly, because they are still calling him in in the morning. Sigh. I am trying desperately to help my husband sleep in the few hours a day that he has. It's not easy though, when the kids go jumping on the bed to talk with/wrestle with daddy because they miss him. But over all, I feel like things might be starting to settle down. Halloween is behind us, Thanksgiving ahead, and Xmas looming over my pocket book. I am going to try to have all of my shopping for Xmas done by the start of December, so all I have to do is enjoy the season. It's finally getting cold out here in Sunny Southern California. Even stranger is the fog that has been hanging out in the mountains around us. It makes for some lovely misty mornings. I can imagine all kinds of lovely shawls gracing my shoulders... but alas, I am knitting for others pretty much exclusively right now. And I am not a fast enough knitter to get everything done that I want to, when I want to (is anyone? Could you teach me how?) But I am truly enjoying the stolen moments with my needles right now. The wool blend I am working with right now is so beautifully soft... I love knitting with it. I only hope the recipient loves it as much! Right now all I really want to do is light a fire in my fire place, cuddle up with my yarn and needles, and carefully sip hot chocolate. Sigh. Maybe in about 5 years.

In the mean time, I came across this wonderful title... "Knitting Cure for Nerves" in which women at the turn of the century were prescribed *BY THEIR DOCTOR* to sit, covered up in their beds, and knit for 4-6 hours a day. Sigh. Only in my dreams I'm afraid. Go take a look, it is wonderful fun.

Holy Hopping Horrors, Batman!

2007-11-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would let all of you know that I'm alive and well. Adjusting to a short term stint with hubby on days. This is odd, if you consider that I have been with my husband now for 16 years, and in all that time, he has been working nights or swing shift. Most people think that I would really like this little taste of normalcy, but I'm not finding it all it's cracked up to be. My husband is no longer home for dinner reliably. I don't have help in the afternoon with kids while I'm trying to help Brandon with his homework. I don't have help with the kids while I'm making dinner. And that fabled "evening time" is a complete loss. We're both so exhausted at the end of the day that by the time I've read to the boys (note I did not say that they were actually asleep) and I have escaped the boys bedroom, we don't watch TV, or even stop to talk. We crawl into bed (with our wide awake toddler) and try desperately to get some sleep before the alarm goes off, and it all starts again.

The good points? Javier is getting slightly more sleep than when he worked nights. And I have a little more time to TRY to clean our house by the end of the day. But with everything else going on with the kids, I feel like I'm barely making it. I hope it gets easier. We don't really know when he'll be back on nights, and we'll be going back to our normal schedule. They may decide to keep him on days, in which case, I guess we'll just adjust. Maybe there will come a time when we will actually be able to sit together, with ALL the children in bed, and you know, maybe watch an hour of TV, or talk for a little while. Sigh. So far we're about 4 weeks behind in Heroes. Kind of sad that we don't even manage 1 hour of TV a week. Some people do twice that in a day. I'm dying to see what happens with Peter. DON'T SPOIL IT!!!!

We did manage to have a happy Halloween last night. The boys were Eragon and Brom from the Movie Eragon. And Maia was a cute little ladybug. I'll post pictures as soon as I have a few more moments that I can sqeeze into my day!

Pop goes the Weasel!

2007-10-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

So, my husband gets a phonecall yesterday afternoon from his boss saying that he was sorry that it was short notice, but there is something he really needed my hubby to do - what you might ask? Go to Cananda. For a week. Leaving on Sunday. Less than 48 hrs notice, and my husband is gone for a week. Gone. Sigh. Life is a sometimes just like a merry go round. Did I ever mention I get sick on merry go rounds?

So far we have Brownies, and two new projects cast on in the last 24 hours. I'm not stressed at all.

OOOHHHMMM (Boot to the head) OOOOHHHHMMMMMM

Wish me luck!

Sacrifice -

2007-10-08T21:44:00.001-07:00

Today was one of those days that I was forced to look carefully at what I am comfortable doing, and what I am willing to do for anothers well being and happiness. What am I willing to sacrifice for anothers happiness? Be it my child's, my husband's, or my best friends, I have been forced to look and see that I am a creature of comfort. I do not often step beyond my bounds - I don't stretch, walk where the pavement is hot, or go without. In short, I have not sacrificed anything. And I find this to be a terrible fault. Certainly I am generous within my circle of comfort. I happily give of any thing I have to share, be it time, advice, food, and when I have it, even money. I have thought of myself as a giver, fancied myself an activist, dreamed of being truly great. Perhaps even an inspiration. But oh, how selfish I have been. It is time to step outside myself, and learn what it really means to give. All we are talking about is just a little discomfort - giving up just a little of what time is mine - and yet I am afraid. Stranger still, I am not even certain what I am afraid of.

Enough now. Each journey begins with just a single step.

Still here

2007-10-07T08:43:00.001-07:00

Well, we're still in the hospital, and I am about to head in for the dayshift, and let Javier have some time off for a bit. Liam is in good spirits, but yesterday he was still having difficulty pulling in air - even though he is on continuous oxygen. He doesn't like that part. But the video games/tv in his room is cool. At least there is a little good with the bad. Brandon and Maia get to spend a little time with Nana and Papa today - so we can all relax just a little this morning. More as we know...

UPDATE
We are home! He did an amazing turnaround last night while I slept, and I walked into the children's wing to find him racing around the play room with a friend, hacking and wheezing, but off oxygen, and having a great time. He's holding oxygen levels finally, and we can all rest at home tonight. Yay!

Off to Hospital...

2007-10-06T07:56:00.000-07:00

Liam is in the hospital today - Asthma... my poor boy can't breathe well enough to be at home. Hopefully we'll only need to be there a couple of days. Now, to pack my knitbag for today....

Armed and Camera Ready!

2007-09-27T10:02:00.001-07:00

Simply Gorgeous.

I now have the most horrible case of cast-onitis that I don't know what I will do.

The handspun definitely deserves special attention... perhaps I will design somthing... I will have to figure out how far this will go...

Ahhh, sweet indecision.

I'll keep you posted!

SQEEE!!!!

2007-09-26T17:13:00.000-07:00

I GOT MY FIRST PACKAGE FROM MY SECRET PAL!!

LOOK! LOOK! LOOK! Handspun & Hand dyed for me!!!! The most beautiful fingeringweight wool in a wistaria colorway! Sock Yarn! Patterns! How did she do this? She compleletly channelled my favorite colors. Okay. Gotta get pictures of all this...

Darn - Camera battery needs charging...

Hold that thought!

Sock Wars?

2007-09-26T14:09:00.001-07:00

Okay this one got a belly laugh, and I had to pass it on. Go take a gander at this one.

If only I had 12 seconds to put together I might be arming my DPNs as we speak... perhaps next year for me - The Revenge of the Sock!

A warm September rain...

2007-09-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

I will never figure out how it is that I have fewer children around the house, and yet I have less time than ever after school starts. My entire home is cruelly dictated by the moments in which children wake up, eat breakfast, get dressed, go to school, eat lunch, need picking up, homework, and then the time volunteering in classrooms. Do mom's who work at an office have more time? Sigh. I may dream of it at this moment, but I know that even if I could afford to have someone do this stuff for me, I wouldn't let them. Then I'd be crying about how I'm missing all the important milestones, and first day of school stuff, etc. etc. etc. I'm sure there's balance out there somewhere. In this I have complete faith. Which is probably why, at our county fair this Sunday, I purchased a drop spindle and roving - you know, because I have so much time right now.

Personal time is overated anyway.

But I have to tell you, this thing of watching bits of hair (kind of like the roaming Charlie hair mutant dust bunnies in our dining room) turn into a neat twisted line of something not only useful, but fun to play with... this is addicting. And it only gets better when Brandon asks "Mom, are you going to make more yarn today?" Of course darling... mommy will make yarn.... and more yarn... and knit with yarn... and pet the yarn.... and .... well, I should probably stop while I'm ahead. Now if only I can figure out how to ply it... Where exactly this will lead, I have no idea. But I'm starting to dream of Fair Isle hats mittens, out of natural shades. Could be interesting, don't you think?

On other fronts we are starting to get ready for Javier's next 50 mile race, out on Catalina Island. I think this one is the Buffalo Run. I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with the runners all resembling a milling herd of buffalo before the start time, but rather the fact that there are actual Buffalo on the Island, though apparently rare to see. I'm looking foreward to this one. I haven't been out to Catalina Island in many years, and the fact that it will be off season (and thus very few people around, and fewer shops open) does not disturb me in the slightest. Javier worries that there won't be anything for us to do while he is out running in the wilds of the island, but I'm not really worried at all. I think it will be a wonderful adventure for us. As long as we don't have pouring rain ... it will be the middle of January. But in that case, there is always plan b. Just don't ask what that is. Yet.

All in all, I am actually getting excited about the changing season this year. Feeling the urge to decorate, clean house, plant. All the result of the wondeful feeling left behind by a warm September rain.

Armchair Epiphany

2007-09-12T13:20:00.001-07:00

Actually, it was more like a potty epiphany, but I figured we would go clean in the title. Yesterday afternoon, while sitting on the potty, watching my daughter splash in the tub, and helping my sons build their legos (yes, all at the same time) I saw a vision of the hindu god Vishnu - you know, the one with four hands. Beyond the simple desire as a mother to HAVE four hands (is this really asking to much?), I decided to look up the god, thinking there must be some connection that my subconcious made in that all encompassing moment of multi-tasking motherhood. Here is what I found.

"The hindu god Vishnu is the preserver and protector of creation. Vishnu is the embodiment of mercy and goodness, the self-existent, all pervading power that preserves the universe and maintains the cosmic order."

That's when I got it. Motherhood=the living embodiment of Vishnu.

Yup. That's me. Mother. Just your local hindu god at work. All day. Everyday.

Did I mention that Vishnu doesn't sleep?

A Birthday Surprise for Liam

2007-09-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

On Monday (Yes, Labor Day, the very day my precocious little boy entered this world), we went to Disneyland to celebrate Liam's birthday with 2 of his very best friends. The day was hot, but the park wasn't crowded, and we were set to have a wonderful day. Liam's buddy Nico met us at the gate, and after a quick jaunt on the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster ride, we were set for an early lunch...when low and behold, what should arrive? The Force. The Jedi's were out and about, and our 3 boys were unable to eat. Faced with this dilema, I shrugged my shoulders, and was dragged down to the roped area where young Jedi are chosen. Here you yell, jump up and down, and use your mighty (though young) powers of the force to be chosen to hold a lightsaber, and become a paduan learner for the day. The force was indeed strong with our 3 young aspiring Jedi, for ALL of them were chosen to go up on the stage.

Getting their Jedi robes....

Learning the days lesson from our resident Jedi Master...

The Dark side Rises...

The Battle Begins...

The Dark Side Retreats....

They proudly cross the stage to recieve their Jedi in Training Paduan Learner Certificates. A proud moment indeed.

They had more fun than is decent for 3 young paduan, took part in an amazing battle for the fate of their souls, and defeated the dark side. A good days work, I think.

Later, we met up with Robert

and had a sticky good time with Pat E. Cake,

decorating our cakes (and ourselves) for a chance to win the decorating contest.

Apparently it was a close thing...we all won!

Then it was off for more rides. We rode Star Tours, Buzz Lightyear, and the Rockets at least twice. Pirates figured in there, along with Splash Mountain - a dousing which was quite refreshing in the heat of the day - and I discovered the secret of the Winnie the Pooh ride. What, you ask, could possibly be the "Secret of the Winnie the Pooh ride"? I'm bribable. I take yarn and playdates at Disneyland. :D

In the mail today...

2007-09-07T20:57:00.000-07:00

Today I found a special treat in my mailbox... My new stitch markers! And some chocolate. We love chocolate. Mmmmmmmm....

Oh.

So, Jen opened her very own Etsy shop

(for those of you who don't know, Etsy is an online crafters community for buying and selling).

As soon as she announced it, I raced over, took all of about 2 seconds to decide that her very first stitch markers up for sale were going to be mine, and hit the Paypal.

She was quick about getting them in the mail (for some reason she didn't seem surprised that I bought them... am I getting too predictable in my old age?) and they arrived a mere 3 days later.

Aren't they lovely?

Tomorrow - Liam's Birthday surprise, and the palm desert aerial tram!

4 things meme

2007-09-04T11:07:00.000-07:00

Another one from Jen -

Four First Names of Crushes I’ve Had:

1. Jason

2. Sean

3. Alan

4. Ben

Four Pieces of Clothing I wish I still owned:

1. My 36C Bras - and the body and used to fit into them.

2. My white halter dress

3. A swimsuit that fits

4. Uhhhh - help me here - ummm do I care about clothes?

Four names I’ve been called at one time or another:

1. airhead/blonde

2. Babe

3. Mama

4. Hips

Four Professions I secretly Want to Try:

1. Billonaire

2. Astronaught/space explorer

3. Author

4. Midwife

Four Musicians I’d most want to go on a date with:

1. Alice Cooper (I agree with Jen - that man is wicked smart with some really interesting philosophical ideas. Great converstation for sure)

2. Yo-yo Ma

3. Sting

4. Jack Johnson

Four Foods I’d rather Throw than Eat:

1. pizza dough :D

2. pickled eel

3. BBQ Tarantulas

4. Menudo

Four Things I Like to Sniff:

1. My hubby :D

2. the fresh Green smell after a rain.

3. brand new babies

4. Gardenias

Four People to Tag:

Anyone? Anyone? Beuler?

Happy Birthday Liam!

2007-09-02T22:59:00.000-07:00

Today my little fireball turned 5 years old! I can hardly believe it. It is astounding how these tiny little things, so soft and helpless grow into the most amazing PEOPLE! Liam is my bouncing baby boy - literally. He never walks - he runs, skips, jumps, sidles, leaps, hops, bounds, whirrs, and spins. Sometimes all within the span of a minute. His mind moves so fast his tongue can hardly keep up with the thoughts he tries to express. He is pure explosive energy, and has the destructive power of 10 sticks of dynamyte if left alone in a room for any length of time. He is purely selfish in a way that only children can be, and yet when given the opportunity, he can offer up the kindest of words, and even compromises. He is stunning, brilliant, contantly amazes, and completely exhausting. I'm going to bed!

3am...

2007-08-30T03:23:00.000-07:00

It is 3am in the morning right now, and I am awake because the cosmaos itself demanded it. No. Really. There is the most incredible lightning and thunderstom shaking my poor little house. Thankfully the kiddoes haven't been disturbed (they sleep like their father) but I had to come out to see the goings on. I walk out to my back door, and it is so eerily light outside I keep looking at the clock to make sure that it is really 3am, not 6am. It is hot, 80 degrees or so, and damp - it is not so much raining, as the air is thick with drops of water. I can feel it on my skin, but it is not enough to get me wet yet. I can literally feel the energy in the air around me. The hair on my skin prickles with it. CRACK! Branches of lightening unfold right over my head, stretching across the sky. My heart skips a beat, and I can't help but grin. I love to feel the power of mother earth - from a certain safety. I go back inside, marveling at what is around me. I tried to lay down again. I listened to the thunder, and even though my eyes are sandy and sleepy, I can't help but keep them cracked open, hoping to catch the next flash. Then the rain hits. I hear it pouring outside my window, and suddenly my mind flashes back to another late summer storm when Jen and I decided that we had to see what was going on instead of staying inside where we belonged (according to the rest of the town :D) We walked to a little patch of grass at the end of our street, where we could get away from all the trees and see a broad expanse of sky. We lay down, wrapped in our little cotton sweatshirts, and watched the sky. We talked - of things that are important to young women in their late teens - the incredible awesomeness of being, the cosmos and where we belonged in it, magic, nature, and of course, boys. We lay on that grass for - I don't even know how long. When we finally came stumbling back into my parents condo we were soaked completely to the bone. And it was one of the few times in my life that being wet led to us both coming down with a cold. But it was worth it. Every moment. The sky, the branches of lightening, shivereing and laughing, and bonding deep in our souls. Ahhh. Mother Nature. And now, as it quiets around my home, the sky is dark once again. How strange to have a near dawn light in the middle of the night, and watch it dim. I will never cease to be facinated by all the myriad faces of this planet - right here in my own back yard.

Sweet Dreams.

5 little questions...

2007-08-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

A little while back, my lovely friend across the continent, Jen, answered several questions posed to her by her sister. There were fun, and allowed a special look into her soul. Curious, I asked what she would ask me? After all, she is a sister in my heart. These are the questions that she came up with just for me. Hope you enjoy them.

1. If you were to add a 13th month to the year, where would you put it and what would you call it?

Okay...after much thought, like - do I get to add TIME to the year? Or simply reorganize how we make use of the time we have? Me, personally, I would love to add more time to the year. Especially in Summer, which is never long enough (because it is the only time during the year that I get to sleep IN to 7:30am, sigh) But also in winter, which might give me more time to actually wear the knits that I make. Southern California doesn't get much "winter" to speak of. Mostly we have hot, super hot, windy, and rain. But ultimately, I had to go with placing my month at the end of the year, and creating a time specifically for the celebration of home and family. You know, what Christmas should really be - and which is still my favorite time of year, as I am able to ignore the massive amounts of consumerism and advertising striving to devoid this time of any meaning.

But what to name it? I did a little research, knowing that the months are all named after Roman Gods, or numbers, I finally chose Vestuary, after the Roman Goddess Vesta, goddess of home and hearth.

2. If you had $200 to spend ONLY on yarn, what would you buy?

I would buy Qiviut. It is hands down the most interesting and rare fiber I have ever heard of. I think $200 might just buy me enough to make one of those incredibly gorgeous scarves or hats from Arctic Lace. And having $200 just for yarn is probably the only time I would have funds available for this remarkable yarn.

3. Is there a knitting technique or project you haven't tried yet?

I haven't tried stranded knitting/fair isle, along with the steeks (still wrapping my mind around cutting my knitting). It is on my list to do soon though...maybe first for Maia?

4. If you could join an orchestra tomorrow, what instrument would you play, cello or marimba?

Oooh, orchestra. Shiver. I miss playing something fierce, and I loved playing marimba (especially 4 mallets), but the cello sings in my soul. I would play cello.

5. If you were no longer able to have biological children, but desperately wanted another BABY, how would you go about getting one?

This one is a hard one, and I have to admit that my husband is a kinder/better person here. Knowing that I can have my own children, I hadn't given another thought to any other means of placing a baby in my arms. But Javier apparently thought about this alot - long before I had thought about it, and would absolutely adopt. In fact, if we ever find ourselves in a monetary position to support the massive financial outlay as well as support of adopted children, we will. We have discussed this several times over the years, so I know that I would adopt. But we wouldn't adopt from a foreign country. Certainly there are many many children all over the world who are desperately in need of love and care, and a permanent home, but there are also babies here with exactly the same needs, and Javier feels very strongly that any children we adopt should come from "home" so to speak. That said, we might not end up with a baby at all. Babies - especially the little ones that are all squishy and soft, and so desperately need us - make me go weak in the knees, and I am instantly overcome with a desire to have another "little squishy" all of my own (As if 3 weren't enough!). But I know I am not the only one to feel this way, and so the brand new babies almost always have a home lined up for them. We might look to the older children, and the babies that no one else wants - for whatever reason. I have been blessed with a large amount of patience, and I think that I should use that to bring comfort when others have not been able to.

It's Good to be home...

2007-08-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

Ahhh... There is nothing quite like returning home. Especially after the kids have *finally* gone to sleep. I missed my hubby ;D
It has been a relatively relaxing couple of days, while I recovered from our short trip. Not much knitting done, but I live in a constant state of hope.

The day before we headed home from Palm Desert, we made a trip out to the Palm Springs Aerial Tram. This was quite a wonderful adventure, and I would have some way cool photos to share if I could only find where I stashed my camera. I KNOW I got it out of our room when we left...but sadly, I cannot remember into which bag I placed it, and I am still a little slow on the unpacking. I will share photos as soon as I find my nifty little camera. One of the nicest things about the the tram, is that it takes you right up to the San Jacinto Wilderness State Park. There are some 54 miles of trails up there (which makes my hubby drool at the thought of running - and running - and running) and it was a blessedly cool 76 degrees up there. Quite a contrast to the 110 down in the desert. It felt LOVERLY! I took the kids on a short (3/4 mile) guided nature walk, and generally let them run and play to their hearts content. It was a truly wonderful afternoon.

The only thing that could have made it better would have been yarn. I am feeling desperate urges to go buy yarn. I have several sweaters I would love to get started on - for my boys, family, me, babies coming in October, you know THAT wildly fun kind of knitting. But alas, I keep telling myself that I should really finish one of my other projects first. Like the socks I've been working on since June. Or the other socks that I have knit twice so far, ripped, and they still didn't fit my MIL. GRRRR. I'm not ready to knit those again. GRRR. They are on TIME OUT! Or maybe the lovely lace stole that I really should finish (hopefully a gift for Christmas). Sigh. I know that I have plenty to knit on. But I still have this incredible urge to buy new yarn (maybe some of those painfully beautiful Lantern Moon Needles) and get started on the winter sweaters for my boys and my little firecracker, Miss Maia.

We'll see how I do on this. I really feel a new sweater climbing onto my needles any time now. I dream about the shaping, and the stitches. Sigh. Maybe I'll make it until September. Maybe I will have an iron will, and manage to finish something before I buy more yarn. Alas, wills of iron I have, but only when you've managed to get me fighting. And I have to REALLY want to fight. I just can't see myself successfully fighting NOT to buy yarn. Sigh.

Discovery...

2007-08-16T23:21:00.000-07:00

Ahh, what a day we had today. First - I FINISHED IT! Okay, so it only took me a few hours to knit, but seriously people I FINISHED IT! I didn't have to rip it out! Not even once! Sigh. A good feeling. (That's Maia helping her crazy mama take pictures on the bushes outside)

My children, however, were not so impressed.

They were much more concerned with feeding ducks, chasing ducks, or just running for the sheer joy of it. I got to see Liam actually quiet and introspective as he watched - you guessed it - ducks.

My children REALLY like ducks.

And we could think of nothing better than "camping" on the water's edge where we step out of our cool apartment suite into sweltering heat to throw bread in the water.

Life is good.

And when the bread is gone (and we have gotten over the bitter dissapointment of realizing that bread is not an endless commodity) then it must be time for swimming!

This year is the first year that ANY of my children can swim, and suddenly they are all trying to swim like fish - and learning that breathing water is slightly more difficult than it sounds.

My children are strong willed, confident beings that like nothing more than to test each and every statement I make about life until it is completely exhausted, or they are sitting on their beds waiting for the ensuing punishment to end.

So, today, Brandon spent the afternoon showing Papa how he can drown, er jump into the deep end - endlessly - and then call for Mama because he is too tired to climb out of the water by himself.

Liam scares everyone in the pool as he bobs at the water's surface, mouth gaping, gasping for air, wiggling and thrashing every inch of his body, and squeaks out "Mama! Want to see me do it again!"

I shove my heart firmly back into my chest and manage "Yes! Good job swimming Liam!" Or some version of "I saw you! Wow! Great Job!" Oy.

And then there is my fierce hearted warrior woman, Maia. She is turning into a fish right before my eyes. She decided to walk right off the bottom step with no one to catch her this morning, kicking and waving madly until I managed to pull her face out of the water to allow her to take a breath. She has spent that last couple of pool adventures popping her head under the water and wiggling between my mother and myself, or perahps the stairs if she is feeling particularly brave.

But I have to admit, they are actually moving through the water, and making it! It is really exciting as a mother to actually see them learning and accomplishing this thing called learning to swim. And Brandon (ever the smooth talker) still found time to show is new "girlfriend" a few tricks. :D

It is incredibly gratifying to see my children confident, strong, striking out and doing new things with a gusto that many of us lack in our lives. They are truly the most amazing beings that I have the priviledge to know - and if I survive helping THEM to survive to adulthood, I know that I will be among the proudest parents on this earth.

I love to encourage their ferocious curiosity, and to that end, we struck out in search of Palm Desert's Children's Discovery Museum. What an incredibly worthy use of $6 admission for an afternoon of exploration, discovery, imagination, and fun. This is definitely going to become a tradition for us when we come visiting out here.

Between grocery shopping,

manning a pizzeria,

bringing Nana pizza

- and more pizza,

painting (yes, that is really a REAL car)

experimenting with magnets

, caring for sick and lost (stuffed) animals,

becoming everyday heroes as Firemen and Policemen,

and discoving the magic of the pulley,

it was a truly fabulous time. If you ever find yourself melting in Palm Desert in the summer, I highly reccomend it.

Then "home" for a quick spaghetti dinner, and another date with the ducks. A full day. And a good one.

Well, off to bed for this Lady...

Night all!

The Desert...

2007-08-15T23:51:00.000-07:00

The Desert is hot. Really hot. And I came here on purpose. Sigh. Life is indeed strange.

Actually, we (my kids and I)are visiting my parents at their timeshare here, and it is really a lovely place. Hot, but lovely just the same. It is a wonderful vacation resort/country club kind of thing, and my kids love it here. Mostly they love the ducks and the 5 swimming pools. I love the promise of a little time off with my mother and father around to help with the kids. I actually got some knitting done today that I don't think I'll have to rip out! I was working on the lace for a while, but that required too much thought, and I panicked everytime I had to drop it to chase a child - picking up stitches in lace is not fun - especially when you are having a hard enough time just keeping track of knitting it while your children run wild.

Ahh, but I digress. Sooo, thankfully I had the foresight to think about this, and threw into my knitbag a ball of Sugar-n-cream cotton that I bought a couple of months ago with the thought that I would try my hand at a washcloth. So I wandered on over here (a cool link I got over at the knitlist - a WAY cool place, if I do say so myself) and chose the "cotton" pattern for a round petal shaped cloth.

Here's what I have so far.... Impressive, no? I am really enjoying the knitting. If I sound a little surprised, it's because I am. I really didn't think that I would like knitting washcloths, but Jen likes it, and receiving a lovely blue washcloth in the mail from her made me think about it again. And again. And, well, here I am. I love that the pattern is simple enough to work with my kids, that I can drop it and not cry if a stitch falls, and that I'm liking the look of it. It's simple. It's pretty. It's useful! And I'm having a damned good time knitting it! And bonus, I might actually finish it! I can hardly believe that I might have a finished object in my hands tomorrow. I am positively giddy with anticipation.

Sadly, I have no fudge to appease the Knitting Goddess today, so I'll just have to hope that I am working my way back into her good graces in other ways - like getting my mother interested in kntting again after some 30+ years of not knitting. Seriously people, I didn't even know my mom once knew how to knit until a couple of months ago, when she offered to come with me to a knitting group on a Sunday afternoon, which sadly did not work out too well. But that is another story. Then she seemed to have lost interest - until today. The lace didn't seem to intrigue her, but when I started up the washcloth, I could see her checking out my knitting with much more interest, asking me what I was working on, and how was it shaped. And when I started to talk about seaming it up, she actually started to describe a sewn seam that wouldn't leave a ridge! I can't tell you how exciting it would be to add my mother to the list of yarn fanatics in my life. Going yarn shopping with my mother just seems like so much fun! Of course, I would have to get my husband to watch the kids - sticky fingers in yarn shops make me a little crazy, so I'm sure that the owners would be barely hanging on.

Any way, after futzing around, hoping my husband would come online to chat with me, I think I must put myself to bed. Sigh.

Goodnight All!

(And Goodnight Lover - talk to you tomorrow!)

A Secret Pal for me...

2007-08-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

I'm going to have a Secret Pal!

Yay!

I signed up for this a couple of weeks ago, and then in the mess of life, promptly forgot that I needed to fill out a questionaire about myself for my secret pal (and now all of you!) to get to know me a little bit better. Thankfully one of the lovely listmoms sent me a kind reminder that I had responsibilities here too! So here it goes... Secret Pall 11 questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I don't know if I have a favourite fiber yet...I like really soft things, but I have not ever had the chance to knit with anything famously soft like cashmere. I am not a fiber snob though, I will knit with anything that I like the feel of. What I have knit with so far is various wool, cotton, acryllic, and nylon - both alone and in blends. I hate anything that is scratchy and uncomfortable against the skin.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Mostly my bedside table drawer. I don't have any really good needle storage, but I'm thinking of making one....

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I have been knitting constantly for two years now. I was first taught in an extra-curricular class taught at my middle school, but then promptly forgot. While I was pregnant with my third baby, I had this incredible urge to create something in all the time that I was going to be spending nursing her. I thought of the knitting that I had abandoned so long ago. I found a book, followed the instructions and away we went. I found places like Knittinghelp.com, and dove fearlessly into knitting a baby sweater for my new addition. At this point I would consider myself to be an intermediate knitter, but I can definitely stretch to the advanced patterns. I'm always willing to try new things, and I'm not afraid my yarn and needles - or the frog pond. Been there quite a lot lately. Lovely, but the bugs bite.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Oh yah.... About $1000 worth of knitting books on that by now....

5. What's your favorite scent?
Hmmm, my husbands is vanilla, but me? Fresh spring smells - wild and growing.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I live for chocolate. Seriously.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I want to learn to spin, but haven't yet. I'm also working on crochet, but after knitting, my love has to be quilting. I just don't have time or space to set that up right now, with three munchkins looking to "help" all of the time. :D

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I was a Music Education Major in college, and got my BA in that subject, so my music interests are quite eclectic. A wide vairiety of things catch my ear, and are not limited to particular genres. I love celtic influenced music, I have a soft spot for the rock of the 80's and 90's, and have found myself enjoying (much to my surprise) artists like Eminem and Marilyn Manson, but they are not my usual suspects. Bluegrass gets my toes tapping, and Metallica was a favourite from High School. Go ahead and surprise me. I use itunes (with my tiny ipod of 4 gigs) and I have it linked to my stereo. MP3's are wonderful.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favourite colors are blues and greens, but I'm pulled to autum colors in the warmer tones. No colors that I can't stand.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have been happily married to my wonderful husband for 11 years now, and we have three beautiful children - 2 boys (ages 7 &5) and my baby girl (2). We also have 1 Dog ( a black labradork ), 2 cats, 2 birds, and a fish. Hopefully we are full up on pets for now.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
I do wear hats and mittens - the occasional scarf. I'm not so likely to wear a poncho. I'm a voluptuous beauty, and generally try not to resemble a beach ball. I like shawls though....

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Wow, favourite item to knit? Hmm, right now it's lacey things, and I'm branching out into cables. I enjoy a challenge more than anything else.

13. What are you knitting right now?
2 pair of socks, 2 stoles (both for gifts), 1 hat, and a Lace Edged Tee which is on time out right now, because I had to frog it back to the beginning band. It was trying to be a tent, and I had no interest in wearing one. So back to the beginning, to replan the increases and decreases for shaping. Sigh.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
I love to recieve handmade gifts. What could be more exciting that knowing that someone was actually thinking of my happiness and joy for the number of hours that making that gift took them. The highest of all compliments, really.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
It all depends on what I'm working on. For socks, I like the metal (knitpicks options are my favourites right now), for middle weights (DK to heavy aran weight) I like the wooden needles. Bamboo are very nice. I will knit with aluminum and plastics, but they are generally not my first choice.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
I wish..... My swift is currently my husband (or a child's rocking chair, sometimes an upside down laundry basket), and my winder is exclusively my hands.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
Hmmm 2 years old.....

18. What is your favorite holiday?
I love the Christmnas/ Winter solstice season. It makes me happy (if I'm not thinking about being poor...)

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Books. I also have an unnatural fondness for teapots and cups, and chess sets. Sigh. Oh, and boxes. I love little boxes. I have no place to put them, but I love them...

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I would love to be wealthly enough to own some Lantern Moon needles. And Cashmere. As far as books, I'm currently drooling over pattern and stitch books - take your pick - and things like "Knitting in the Old Way," as I am seldom content with just knitting a pattern as is, so I'd better learn all I can about how to tweak others, or design my own. I currently suscribe to Interweave Knits, and am getting Vogue knitting too. I'm still wondering if I signed up for that online some late evening, or if they are just being super nice....

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Stranded Knitting (Including Fair Isle) and Steeks. Not quite brave enough to take scissors to my knitting yet... but I'm working on it.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I am a sock knitter. My foot is 9 inches long, and 9 inches around. So is my ankle. My calf gets a little bigger, but I generally like my sock cuffs on the short side.

23. When is your birthday?
June 6th.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Not yet....waiting for my invite.

Blogging Meme

2007-08-12T08:35:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by my fantastical knitting friend from across the nation for this fun little meme.

It’s very simple. When this is passed on to you, copy the whole thing, skim the list and put a * star beside those that you like.(Check out especially the * starred ones.)Add the next number (1. 2. 3. 4. 5., etc.)and write your own blogging tip for other bloggers.

1. Look, read, and learn. *****- http://www.neonscent.com/
2. Be, EXCELLENT to each other. *****- http://www.bushmackel.com/
3. Don’t let money change ya! ****- http://www.therandomforest.info/
4. Always reply to your comments.***- http://chattiekat.com/
5. Develop your own "voice" don't "borrow" someone else's **** Mizmouthy
6. If you don't have something to say, don't worry your loyal readers will wait **Oldfashionmomma
7. Be yourself, don't be afraid to share who you really are ***** http://shibari-confessions.blogspot.com
8. Figure out what you stand for, then try to master it. ** http://mornmeet.blogspot.com/
9. Post pictures when you can ** http://akadventuring.blogspot.com
10. Talk about your boobs a lot. ** http://123Valerie.blogspot.com
11. Go ahead, get it off your chest * http://arguablybetteradvice.blogspot.com
12. A reflecting pool, of sorts - http://introspectionandrants.blogspot.com
13. Don't think too hard, just have fun and write from the heart.* http://rachel-lessonslearned.blogspot.com
14. Don't say on a blog anything about anybody you would not say to their face. http://knittinginterrupted.blogspot.com/
15. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - The golden rule. http://underafairymoon.blogspot.com/

If you have already been tagged, ignore this and consider it a warning for future tagging.

Now, as I am new to blogging, and I really don't know who reads my blog except for 1 or 2 people, I'm going to have to go out on a limb here...I tag my hubby and Anny.

Grumble, Grumble, Grumble...

2007-08-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

Grumble. I had been knitting madly on a pair of Monkey socks trying desperately to finish them as a gift for my Mother in Law. (Happy Birthday Anita!) I didn't finish. But being the knitter that I am, I decided to suck it up, and bring the finished sock and the almost finish sock to her house on Saturday, and hope that I could finish up the toe while I was there. I will just say in an aside, 3 young children at Grandma's house with lots of breakable things makes for kinda desperate knitting! So we get there, and I show her the socks, which she loved. Then she tried it on. Oh the horror. Everything matched the measurements I took of her foot. EVERTHING! But she couldn't get them over her heel. Where did I go wrong!

Grumble, Grumble. Sigh. Back to the frog pond.

(Rip-it, Rip-it, Rip-it)

Has it been so long....

2007-07-26T15:07:00.000-07:00

As I look over my infant blog, and realize that I have neglected it for 2 whole weeks, I wonder, can it have really been so long? At any time, days, weeks, even months can slide by and I barely notice, immersed in raising my children, and knitting, and reading, and rasing my children, and caring for my husband and home, and raising my children... I guess there is a theme here. :D

I doesn't help huge amounts that I'm in kind of a meloncholy doldrums. I'm not sad, but neither am I joyful. I am feeling the mundaneness of my life. The day in and day out that doesn't change. My fire is banked, and I seem unable to search out the fuel that will bring it blazing back to life. Nearly without saying, the urge to cast on for new things is great at a time like this. I did finally succumb to one siren song last night... the MS3 stole. I signed up for this stole two days before the first clue came out (BEFORE THE YARNHARLOT!) and told myself that I would just watch, learn, collect the pattern, and knit it up when I had the chance. I followed conversations about beading, all the different types of yarn that people are using, from cobweb to fingering. How to block it, how to count the stitches and not get lost. I was mesmerised. And nearly drowning in 300+ messeges a day. But I couldn't stop thinking about it. I even ordered yarn for it (still hasn't come - the nearly 7000 people that signed up for the KAL have apparently caused a shortage in lace weights). I told myself that was fine. I had enough knitting to do. I have a shirt to finish. A bolero. A scarf. 2 pair of socks. A mystery knit. I don't need a mystery stole KAL. But I was gripped. Finally, without another ounce of strength in my body, I cast on for the mystery stole with a giant ball of mystery yarn, (gift from my MIL - I can't say enough about how wonderful it is to have a MIL who shares my passion for yarn!) which I believe is fingering weight, on size 7 needles. I have beads and a crochet hook that somehow fit this. And I am at peace. Mystery Stole, with mystery yarn, chart A complete. Isn't it wonderful?

A matter of language...

2007-07-12T12:23:00.000-07:00

Today I stopped by the Yarnharlot, one of my favorite sites, and likely one of yours too, if you are a knitter, and found myself staring at news I didn't want to hear. It is the kind of thing that every woman fears. To be violated, and not believed - but even worse, not even able to express what happened to you in the language that you feel accurately describes the event. I am afraid that if I even try to express what I honestly feel about this, I would dissolve into impotent rage. Read. Judge. And write. Write to congressmen/women, presidential candidates. This cannot be tolerated. How can it be tolerated by a country that began upon the principles of freedom?

Internet Resources for News on this legal "event"

Slate Jurisprudence: The law, lawyers, and the court.
Gag OrderA Nebraska judge bans the word rape from his courtroom.
By Dahlia Lithwick
Posted Wednesday, June 20, 2007, at 7:27 PM ET
http://slate.com/id/2168758/

ABC News http://www.49abcnews.com/news/2007/jul/11/woman_refuses_obey_judge_who_banned_word_rape_tria/

Journal Star http://journalstar.com/news/local/doc469652152182a872732942.txt
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2007/07/12/news/local/doc4695974ad7711560429460.txt

This was compiled from a commenter, onafixedincome, on the Yarnharlots page:

IF YOU WANT TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT, go here:
http://www.supremecourt.ne.gov/rules/pdf/complaint.pdf
then print, fill out, sign, and send.

Please do feel free to mention that his conduct falls under subsection 6 (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute) of Article V, Section 30, of the Nebraska Constitution and Nebraska Revised Statute Section 24-722 (Reissue 1989).

Then send copies to your senators and representatives, and let the fun begin!

This from Hypatia, also from the comments on the Yarnharlots blog.

When filling out the form, I also found the following information helpful -- it takes a little work to dig it all up from the internets:

Name of the Judge: Jeffre Cheuvront
Name of Court: Lancaster County District Court
City: Lincoln
Date of Incident: October 23, 2006 - present

Must knit Faster...

2007-07-11T22:44:00.000-07:00

I LOVE getting yarn in the mail.
I cannot express the joy of seeing the mailman walk up my driveway with a box in his hand. I literally jump, and open the door. I fondle the box, stroke the mail sheet, savoring the anticipation. Then I cut - ever so carefully - to reveal the magic inside.

This box is my last package from the Pick-up-Sticks sock club, and I shall miss the surprise each month, but alas, funds dictate that I must be frugal, so no sock club for now.

I reach inside to find a lovely purply-peachy yarn.. it is soft - it bewitches.

Going completely against everything that I told myself I would do

(like finish the Beach pattern first,

or that I would ONLY knit on my mystery knitting until it's deadline)

I promptly wrapped the skein around the back of my son's little rocking chair and began to wind a ball (insert plea for ball winder and swift here).

I couldn't stop.

I told myself that I would just wind the ball. That was it. Then I found myself online, looking over Knitty. Before I could help myself I had cast on for these...I have succumbed. I am weak. I am a compulsive knitter, with no hope of recovery. I got this far in one day.
But now I have to frog it. Somehow it turned out huge. Of course, the fact that I didn't do a guage swatch MIGHT have something to do with it, but I HAD TO KNIT IT NOW! I was compelled. Called. The lure of the unknown, the silkly softness of the yarn called to me. I ignored everything and knit. And it was a day of joy. (Today, not so much. Much house work ensued today. Sigh.) Now I just have to decide if I'm going to keep knitting on the same pattern (after I frog and reknit on smaller needles) or if it is ultimately destined to be something else? Hmmmm....

So, instead of knitting tonight, I am surfing the new Knitting Daily site over at Interweave Knits ( a lot of fun, this is ), and I download a pattern. Then another. And another. I realize that my stash (still in it's infancy) is simply not up to this task (not to mention my wallet!). But the great tradedy, the horror that overcomes me...when will I have time to knit all of this? I know that I will find 20 more patterns next week! How can I do it all! AACCCKKKKK!

MUST KNIT FASTER!

What kind of knitter are you?

2007-07-05T20:52:00.000-07:00

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Goddess. You are constantly giving and are unconcerned with reward, you simply want others to love knitting as much as you do. If someone wants to knit miles of novelty yarns, you are there for them. If someone wants to learn short row shaping, you can help. There are no taboos in knitting, only opportunities to grow. Everyone should have friend like you around if they want to learn to knit, and there's a good chance that your passion has rubbed off on a few others.http://marniemaclean.com
Take this quiz!

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Independence Day

2007-07-04T15:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth of July U.S.A.!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." - Thomas Jefferson

On this day, 231 years ago, these words were proclaimed for a new world to hear. It is amazing to me how truth blazes through centuries to illumine the mind in search of it. It was upon these ideals, in part, that our country was founded.

Today we celebrate the ideals of Freedom and Liberty. We celebrate not the victory of a Revolution, as some believe, but the willingness to fight for what we believe in. We fought. We won our freedom. And so today we celebrate the most cherished ideal of the American - Liberty.

Slow and steady...

2007-07-01T16:36:00.000-07:00

You all know that saying, the one that always conjures up mental pictures of cocky Hares and patient Tortoises. Slow and steady wins the race. Sigh. I am in a race now. I have a major project to complete. One that I thought was within my grasp. One that I could see the result, and almost feel the joy in completing and gifting to someone special in my life. Alas, I have grossly underestimated the amount of time that I will need to complete this project. I am knitting at a much slower pace that I thought I would - but then this is the most complex lace adventure I have undertaken, and the first time I am knitting with actual lace (nearly cobweb) weight yarn. It's a little bit fiddly. Add to that the pie in the sky dreams of actually being able to knit for an hour or two each day (3 children definitely put that idea to rest), and I am not going to be anywhere near done with my project when I wanted to be. I am a little bit sad. But, if I keep up with my efforts, and knit slow and steady, then perhaps I will have this for Christmas, AND be able to work on other projects this summer - like my Beach socks, or the Lace Edged Tee that has been on my needles for nearly 8 months now. I think that small needles and smaller yarn are teaching me a much needed lesson in knit humility, just when I was feeling a little bit cocky, and imagining a speedy finish. There is wisdom everywhere, and I find it - and many other things - at the tip of a knitting needle more often than I might like to admit to everyday muggles. But there it is. I am off for another 5 minutes of knitting, hopefully uninterrupted.

Good Day.

Escape...

2007-06-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

Quietly she slipped out the back door - the baby was sleeping, the boys inside playing one of their favorite video games. Perhaps she wouldn't be missed, if only for a moment. She slipped off her sarong, and slowly dipped her feet into the water. It was cool and inviting. Gently she slipped beneath the cool water and with a slow lazy stroke came to the side of the small back yard pool. Turning onto her back, floating in the water - completely alone. She looked up into the blue sky, then closed her eyes to savor this one perfect moment of solitude and peace.

A little of this and that...

2007-06-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

Yay! My computer is fixed! It seems to have been a problem with connecting to the web...which is of course nearly 2/3rds of what I do on a computer these days. Is that bad? Hmmm. Don't answer that.

I am happy to announce that I am finished with my Retro Shrug!!

It was a really fun knit, and I would totally do it again. I may try to make one for Maia with the leftover yarn ( a skein and a half ). We'll see.

I think that I can now say that I am once again on good terms with the Knitting Goddess, for not only has she has answered my prayers (Knit Picks sent me another copy of my pattern for the Lace Edged Tee), but as my lovely friend across the continent would say, my "mojo" is back. Yay! Now if we can only steadfastly ignore the politics that boil my blood (Did anyone hear me say Dick Cheney & Co? No, of course not, I would never point fingers...), we shall all live happily ever after!

Speaking of Happily Ever After, we managed a trip to Disneyland recently to celebrate Maia turning 2 years old. And she has delved into the terrible twos with great aplomb. She has taken the use of the word NO! and all of its myriad subleties to heart. She practices all the time. I am sure she will be a woman to reckon with when she is grown. But for now, she is smitten with Mickey Mouse. Isn't the world a fun place?

We went through the line in Mickeys house, had some trouble with Donald and Goofy (apparently they were ignoring Maia as she told them in no uncertain terms to come down from the projecter room and talk to her) and finally had our turn in the photo room with Mickey Mouse. I had to hold her back as the children in front of us had their picture taken, and then she raced right up to him and gave him a hug. I kicked myself for an idiot for not having my camera on at that point, but we managed to get her to stand still for a moment with her brother (Liam was riding the fast coaster with Dada - ever my little dare-devil).

Right after this picture, she fell over the step running back to me. As she cried in my arms, and I assured the workers there that all was well, and she was just two, and two year olds did not necessarily look for steps, I asked her to say bye bye to Mickey, so as to avoid the shock that he was gone when we left the room. She looked over my shoulder and cried out in her broken little voice "Bye Mickey" as we left the photo area. It had the helpful people in there with Mickey in stitches. It was really the most tragically cute thing we heard all day.

And so begins summer. Swimming Lessons have once again begun in our home, and thus herald the true beginning of Summer. Brandon is quickly getting the hang of things this year, and I live in the hope that this is the year that he will be swimming on his own in Grandma's pool. One more step toward freedom again. I understand this is a LOOONNGGG journey for those with children. Longer I think for those of us with three. Liam is working on getting his head under water, and Maia... well, we shall be happy when she finally decides to blow bubbles. Yes. Bubbles. In the water. It is apparently a very important step in learning to swim. Swimming lessons also mean sun. Lots of sun. I am currently looking into buying stock in sun block, but for now I am quickly on my way to burning to a crisp. Yes. Even after slathering on all kinds of waterproof 50+ sunblock. My lovely multicultural brown children, however are turning the color of fresh baked gingerbread. Sigh. I knew I picked good genes when I married their father! And to add to my excess of sun exposure this summer, for the first time, we have an above ground pool. I am actually really happy to have it. It has been fun to play around in it with my children - and maybe eventually by myself - and my little amphibians are quickly becoming fluent in their new water habitat. I may actually manage to beat the heat this year without blasting the A/C all summer. Now, if only I can manage enough shade....

Now, onto secret knitting...

I have brand new addi-turbo's and lace weight- aren't they the beauties?
I have one month to complete this project. Wish me luck! (I'm going to make another batch of Fudge, just in case though)

Oh woe is me...

2007-06-23T12:07:00.001-07:00

My computer is not happy. Not happy I tell you. In fact, I think it is down right depressed. It can hardly hold it's head up long enough for me to read a single blog post. I have taken drastic action, and resorted to using the kids computer to post to my blog, seeing as how it is taking my brilliant yet extraordinarily busy husband a while to sort this out. My lovely laptop suffers from that most awful of mac maladies...the spinning beach ball of death. Less than 5 minutes online, and away it goes. Unable to stand the awful sunlight of the blogsphere. Sigh. What's a girl to do?

Anywhooo...

We are off to my MIL today, for a lovely swim and family visit. These visits are particularly wonderful when I get to go through her extensive yarn stash. WARNING:To the faint of heart, or the simply prejudiced...LOOK AWAY! She is a crocheter. She is a wonderful crocheter, and I can say with some familial pride that she has won ribbons on everything she turns in for judging in the country fair. She makes lovely baby blankets and has made me some lovely things to wear as well. And, just like me, only began her craft some 2- 3 years ago. It is so much fun having someone else in the family who is passionate about yarn, even if she does pull it round with a hook (I keep telling myself that one does not give this to ones MIL as a birthday present, but I might just fall down and have an accident round about August for that one.. How can you resist?) It is also good for giving my husband a -um- reasonable benchmark for what a stash should REALLY be. My paltry basket (or three) is nothing. Don't worry that the yarn is taking over the bedroom. It's wonderful fun! Multi-purposed, strong, soft, flexable, bending to your will, as you insert the stick in the hole....

But I digress.

I have been having a particularly wonderful morning knitting on my Retro Redux Shrug from the Lace Style book I got at my LYS the other day. I finally figured out how to NOT drop the stitches on the Brioche pattern, and even better, how to correctly pick up said stitches when they do fall, so as not to disturb the crossings that make up the lace between the chained rows. It has been fun. I got to stitch up the sleeves yesterday, and have been working on the ribbed edging that creates the collar and borders the opening that your arms go through. One of my particular interests has been in the purl stitch. It has always seemed less graceful than the knit stitch, and yet so vitally important to knitting. So as I continued my continental purl I decided to switch it up a bit and do the combination purl stitch that I have heard so much about from Annie Modesitt on her knitting site and on her Knitty Gritty episodes. It is indeed wonderful fun, very smooth, and yes, graceful. But it seats the stitch differently on the needle. This is fine for back and forth knitting. But not so smooth for in the round. I found that I could purl through the back loop when going in the round, much the way you need to knit through the back loop to right the stitch and not cause a twist on the back side of the purl. But this made the movement somewhat less smooth and graceful for me. Soooo, now what? I remembered a fairly recent post to the Knitlist about a new (to me) purl method called the Norwegain Purl. I am intrigued. Could this be the answer to my quest? (And wouldn't it be just too cool to be able to say "yes, I can purl 3 different ways in the continental method" Okay, so I'm a geek. But I am a knitting geek, and I know that I am in good company. So I stretched my fingers, and employed my best google-fu. Norwegian Purl. Cool. Knitting Help had a very cool tutorial, I checked a few others, and went to work. Once you get the hang of it, it is actually very smooth, and if anyone is actually watching you knit they will do a double take as you do this little dance with the needles, and ask out loud "how did you do a purl stitch with the yarn in the back?" Ahhhh. My knitting kata has you perplexed? Cool. let me show you how! So I am really enjoying this final part of my little shrug, gleefully doing my 2x2 ribbing, and waiting for someone to notice. Ultimately, for grace and ease, I have to go with the combination purl, but I think I will only use it when I need to go back and forth. The Norwegian purl is it for knitting in the round. And bonus, both produce a neat, tight stitch without a lot of extra tugging in order keep tension even. Yup, I'm in knitter geek heaven today!

On a side note, after visiting one of my best friends online today, I learned that she was invited to Ravelry, and I have just one question...How do you get invited to Ravelry? Do I have time to be invited? Ah screw that... from what I hear Ravelry is like dessert, and there is ALWAYS room for dessert.

So, without further ado I"m...

"Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go..."