Confessions of a Knitting Diva

2010-07-10T08:17:00.002-05:00

Thank you!!

Thank you for all the love and support. It means so very much to me. I am having trouble finding the words to describe the emotions I have had for the past ten days.

Will life ever feel "normal" again. I don't know. I have had so many people ask me, "What can I do for you?" or "If you need anything, let me know." I don't know what I need or what people can do for me. I'm usually the one who likes to do things for others.

At this very moment, I would love to have someone come to my house and organize and clean my kitchen. That's what I need the most. I'm just too overwhelmed to do this task.

Grieving is a process. One minute at a time, then one hour at a time, and eventually I will get through one day at a time.

2010-07-04T09:13:00.003-05:00

More grief.....

My sister Jane, chose to end her life on July 1, 2010. She was 50 years old. I am having a hard time with this. I have gone through so many emotions during the past three days: shock, anger, sadness, fear, denial, ....

Jane will be missed by so many people. She just wasn't herself. Depression just took over her life the past seven months. Our family and her friends tried to help her. Living in this world just got to be too much for her. She left a note and asked us to forgive her. I am choosing to do that. I loved my sister deeply and I do forgive her. I am just so sad that she won't be here to meet her grandchild that will be born in December. She won't see my son, (her Godson) graduate from High School in May. Or my other kids graduate, get married, and me become a grandmother someday. I don't get to share that stuff with her. That makes me terribly sad.

I'm worried about my parents. They are 79 years old. No parent should have to bury their child. My dad is very angry. We all have to go through this process together but will do so at different stages. All I can do is love them. I've been the strongest through all of this. I was the one who planned her funeral with my niece and nephew. I stayed at the funeral home with my niece so she could see her mom, again. On a slab covered in a sheet. Unbelievable. But I did it for Erica. I picked out her clothes and gave them a picture of her so her hair will look nice while in the casket. Unbelievable. I picked out the poem and planned the program for her funeral (with my niece's help) Unbelievable. I ordered the flowers and helped pick out the songs. Unbelievable. I will be making the picture boards. Unbelievable. I will be reading one of the Bible passages on Tuesday. Unbelievable.

I choose to live. I choose to honor my sister's memory. Not for how she chose to end her life, but how she lived her life for 50 years. She defined "the life of the party".

Depression is an illness. I choose to spend the rest of my life trying to help with Mental Health Awareness and maybe with research and fund raising, I can help one person who will choose to live and spare another family the pain that my family is going through right now.

I choose to live.

2010-06-14T17:46:00.006-05:00

Bad Blogger.....

Wow, three months since I last blogged. I probably don't have any readers anymore. I've been hanging out on Ravelry a lot. Knitting is still being done but I haven't finished a project for months. I've dusted off my spinning wheel and have a bobbin full of some pretty pink Corriedale that I got when I went to Shepherd's Harvest in May.Patrick turned 13 in May and Maggie just turned 16 last Thursday and got her license on Friday.

In other exciting news....we got a puppy!! A beautiful King Charles Cavalier Spaniel named Ellie. She is five months old and such a sweet baby girl. We picked her up at the airport in Minneapolis yesterday. She came from Kim aka The Woolen Rabbit in New Hampshire. I've been reading Kim's blog for a few years and admiring her beautiful dogs. She just got a new puppy named Goose, and I commented that I wished I could get a puppy. Well, Ellie was not going to be a show dog, and Kim agreed to let me buy her. My family is thrilled with our new addition. Kipper and Todd have accepted her into the pack without any growling at all. :) Richie the cat has sniffed at her but basically is just ignoring her.

2010-03-31T16:14:00.002-05:00

Chicago is my kind of place!!!!

Maggie and I just got home from Chicago this morning. We left last Thursday. It was a blast!!! Eating, shopping, eating, shopping, BILLY ELLIOT, eating, shopping, SEARS TOWER, eating, shopping. You get the point!!!

Pictures later. I'm beat!!!

P.S. I swear we saw Franklin yesterday!!!

2010-02-28T20:46:00.003-06:00

Farewell Olympics

I've enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics. My favorite was the figure skating, but all of it was pretty entertaining. I had joined the Ravelympics thinking I'd have a lot of time to knit during the past two weeks. Well, I only got one project done. A hat. Tried to get a pair of mittens done, too, but only got one done. My wrists, right shoulder, and elbow rebelled against me. :( The heart and mind were willing but parts of the body weren't.

This is my Bella's hat. I used Garn Studios Eskimo yarn that I purchased at Yellow Dog Knitting here in Eau Claire. It was a fun project. I made one for Maggie in December.
I highly overestimated my ability, but it was fun trying. Now it's just back to knitting at my leisure. I will finish a pair of mittens for Maggie and a pair for her boyfriend sometime this week and then my goal is to cast-on for a sweater for me.

Happy knitting!!!

2010-01-31T21:00:00.006-06:00

Winter Carnival

Maggie went to Winter Carnival last night at her high school. She and her friends looked beautiful. I know that I am biased. Not much knitting content to write about but I do have a picture of some beautiful yarn that I got this past week. One of my Ravelry friends starting dyeing yarn last year and I asked her to custom dye some blue for me. It turned out so pretty. Even better than what my mind had envisioned. Her name is Kim and her yarn is Indigodragonfly.

Here is a picture of the yarn:I'm planning on using this yarn to make Gathered Pullover with my new yarn. Maybe I'll start this week. Happy knitting!!

2010-01-25T17:22:00.003-06:00

New Year

Okay, January is almost over, but it's still considered the New Year. For our family, 2009 came with some losses. My sister-in-law, our precious cat Sadie, and in November my mother-in-law.
I am just now feeling like I am getting back to normal. I was able to be with my MIL every day from Oct. 18 until she died on November 13. It was painful to watch her die, but I am thankful that I was able to spend that time with her. It meant a lot to her as well as my husband and his siblings. It was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but I've become a stronger person. I miss her so very much but I know that she is in a better place and out of pain.

The fall was also busy with volleyball and football games. We all had the flu, probably H1N1, but they didn't test us. Our symptoms were the same as half of Eau Claire the dr. said. We managed to get through the holidays and now are looking forward to the new year.

I haven't been knitting much at all, but I did make Maggie a hat. She actually wore it today when she went sledding with some friends. I am feeling like I'm getting back to normal (whatever that is) and am starting to feel like I want to knit. I've been doing a lot of reading lately, too. I love my Kindle!!! It was worth the price. I have read eight books in the past month.

I'm going to try and post regularly. I probably don't even have any readers, but we'll see.

Happy 2010 and Happy Knitting!!!!

2009-08-16T13:32:00.002-05:00

Sadie Lynn 2007-2009

Friday morning we had to make the hard decision to put Sadie to sleep. She had been peeing in the family room and basement for the past two months. We put her on medication and added two additional litter boxes around the house. We had to try several rounds of different medications but she was still not using the litter boxes 100% of the time. I am so sad. We have had to put three pets down since December of 2006. I just can't do this again. I'm happy we have the two dogs and one cat and I'm not going to go to the pound again anytime soon. This just breaks my heart. I wish I could save every animal at the Humane Association, but I can't. My kids are doing much better than I am. Grant was especially close to Sadie but he seems to be okay. I hate being a grown up sometimes.

2009-08-09T19:08:00.003-05:00

Oh my goodness......

I knew I hadn't been blogging, but I did not realize it's been almost two months!!!! I probably don't have any readers left. I haven't been spinning at all this summer. It's been so busy. I have been knitting but have no finished projects to show off. We've been to Milwaukee a few times to watch the Brewer's play. I was able to see my friend, Becky in July. She moved to Geneva, Illinois three years ago. When we went to Milwaukee one weekend, she and her family went to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Maggie and I drove from Milwaukee on a Saturday afternoon to meet up with her. It was so much fun to see her. We went out for dinner with her family then drove back to Milwaukee. Tom and the boys had gone to a baseball game with his brother and nephew, so everyone was happy.

Today I went to a birthday party for twins who are turning three this week. Their mom works for Tom one day a week. They are so darn cute and it's hard to believe that they are three already.

Grant is doing well with his driving. He's been having a good summer just relaxing and hanging out with his brother. He's still working two afternoons a week. He'll probably start delivering flowers this fall. He loves the new Transformers movie and has seen it five times. :)

Maggie is in the Apostle Islands on a kayaking trip with a group from our church. They left on Friday and will be home Tuesday evening. Today was their 13 mile trek. She was so excited for this adventure. Open gym is this week for volleyball and then tryouts begin next Monday the 17th.

Patrick has been having a nice relaxing summer, too. He was able to spend a week in Middleton, WI, with his cousin and loved every minute he was gone. Maggie was at camp the same week, so we had a quiet week here with just Grant home. Tom and I were able to go out for dinner twice that week. :) I didn't do much of anything except read, knit, and hang out on the computer. I figured it was a "staycation" for me.

I'm almost done with my scarf that I posted about in June. I am not faithful to just one project but I really should finish something. I currently have a sweater, scarf, mittens, an afghan, and a pair of baby longies on the needles. Must get those baby longies done before the baby grows too much.

Okay, I'm off to knit. Hopefully I'll be better about blogging. Happy knitting!!!!

2009-06-23T18:07:00.005-05:00

Summer....

There has been knitting going on. First a finished pair of ankle socks. Just plain toe-up socks. I got this yarn from a swap and it is OnLine sock yarn. Next is a scarf that I've been working on. I'm using a linen stitch and alpaca yarn purchased at YDK. I'm also working on a sweater called the Sidelines Top. I'm using more yarn that was purchased at Yellow Dog Knitting here in Eau Claire. It's Garn Studio Merino. Well, I can't seem to get this picture uploaded, so I'll post a picture later.

I haven't been spinning at all. :( It's busy with the kids being home and all the stuff that goes along with three kids. We have been enjoying the pool especially these past few days!!

The biggest news is that Grant got his driver's license today!!!!! It's exciting and scary all at the same time. He drove himself to work today. I did call just to make sure he got there okay. It is so strange. All these steps that lead to my kids independence is hard on this mama!!!

Maggie was in Oklahoma last week with a friend and her parents. They sold t-shirts at a festival called Country Fever. She took two helicopter rides!!! I'm glad I didn't know anything about that until it was over. I missed her so much. Again, just another stepping stone to her independence.

Patrick has been playing a lot of video games and swimming. Summer band starts tomorrow but I forgot to take his saxophone in to get a key fixed, so he won't start until next week. I was a bit preoccupied with getting Grant ready for that driving test. Whew, I can cross that off my list.

I'm off to get some rest. The boys are going to the midnight premier of the new Transformers movie and I'll have to pick them up around 2:30 a.m. Grant can't drive after midnight. He has this probationary period for nine months with this license. He can only have one other person in the car besides family members and can't drive after midnight. I think these are good things!!

Happy knitting!!

2009-05-19T10:05:00.006-05:00

Another finished object and Hand spun yarn....

I finished a pair of socks for Tom. The yarn was purchased at TLE during the Spring Fling. Stats:
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Sport Team Spirit Colorway 6
Needles: Addi Turbo Lace Size 1

I have some handspun yarn to share, too. The first is from some roving I got in Milwaukee a few weeks ago. No name on it, but it's a bit like Lopi. After washing this did soften up a bit. I have approx. 400 yds.
Second is from some roving I bought during my trip to St. Louis. It is Enchanted Knoll Farms roving in the Carmelita colorway. I have approx. 270 yds. This yarn may become a pair of fingerless mitts. It is extremely soft. I am really enjoying spinning on my wheel. I have a lot to learn and it takes practice, but that is what to expect when starting a new hobby.

The kids are anxiously waiting for the end of the school year. Their last day is June 4. Maggie has a lot of plans for the summer. She's going to Oklahoma with a friend in June, playing volleyball in a YMCA league, going to volleyball camp in July and to Camp Manitou the end of July. Then on a kayaking trip to the Apostle Islands through church in August. Grant will be working, going to summer school in the mornings, and trying for his driver's license the end of June. Patrick doesn't have many plans, but I'm sure we'll keep him busy swimming in the pool and hanging out with friends.

I'm off to work on my sock yarn blankie. Happy Knitting!!!

2009-05-10T06:27:00.007-05:00

FIBER PURCHASES.......

I was able to get some fun yarn and roving while I was in St. Louis on my Spring Fling adventure. I also won a skein of yarn from Claudia, The Wollmeise.

We were given three patterns for attending The Fling: Highland Fling Socks, by Wendy Johnson, Nebula Sock Pattern from Cookie A, and Nicholetta from Laura Nelkin. I bought some Handmaiden Casbah, and also some of their Cashmere and Silk yarn. A skein of Perchance to Knit and Two rovings: One from Enchanted Knoll Farms and one from Yarn Love. If you want to see these companies check out The Loopy Ewe.

More pictures of my recent purchases from Shepherd's Harvest:
Yarn and a pattern from Briar Rose, roving from Briar Rose, some angora fiber, roving from Frabjous Fibers(the red/orange), and roving from Cloudlover(greenish).

I have a lot of projects lined up to do. Now I just have to find the time to get them done. Did you know I also scrapbook? Yes, and I have years of catching up to do for my kids books!!

I guess I need to learn to balance everything. Maybe I'll set a timer during the day and do my housework for a bit, scrapbook for a bit, housework, knit, housework, spin, etc. We'll see how that goes. :)

2009-05-10T05:34:00.007-05:00

Shepherd's Harvest, Lake Elmo, Minnesota

I woke up early yesterday and decided to go up to the Shepherd's Harvest event in Minnesota. Tom and the boys were in Madison and Maggie was at a friend's house. It was such an odd feeling to be able to just make that impromptu decision based on just what I wanted to do. So off I went! I was able to get some wonderful roving for my new spinning wheel. I purchased a Schacht Ladybug wheel. Meet Amelie:

I've already spun up two bobbins worth of singles and have plyed one bobbin. I bought a Niddy Noddy while I was at the festival so I can make the skeins. It is fun to be able to actually spin the yarn and then make something from that handspun. Each Ladybug wheel comes with a small ladybug glued on it somewhere. It is was makes each wheel unique. My little Ladybug is on side of the right leg:
I met up with Shelly and we had so much fun looking at all the wonderful fibers. We also both enjoyed a yummy pulled pork wrap with coleslaw. Messy but good. I haven't been the most consistent blogger in history, but I'm going to try to be better. The best thing about starting a blog was meeting Shelly. I started reading her blog and just commenting and it has turned into a friendship that I cherish. I just wished we lived closer together. I know that at least twice a year we can share our fiber obessions by going to Shepherd's Harvest and the Minnesota State Fair. Perhaps one day when her kids get a little older we can take a road trip down to Milwaukee for the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival.

I do have a finished project to show. I finished these socks in early April, but am just now getting around to posting:
Stats: Knit using Addi Turbos, size OOO
Yarn Garn Studio Fabel purchased at Yellow Dog Knitting
Started April 2008, sat in time out until Fall 2009 and slowly worked on last sock this
spring and finished April 7, 2009

They are snug on the foot and I love that about these socks. I am going to try and make my socks really snug to my feet from now on. I love how they keep my feet nice and warm.

Okay, so Maggie and I are off to New Richmond for brunch with my mom, dad, and siblings. Happy Mother's Day out there to all the wonderful moms and women who are like moms to so many people!!! Also, Happy Knitting!

2009-04-29T10:02:00.007-05:00

Spring Fling 2009

Wow! What an amazing weekend. I have been wanting to write a blog post about my weekend in St. Louis since I got back Sunday night but it has been a bit busy around here. I'm almost caught up with the laundry and sleep. :)

Last Wednesday I went to see my friend Shelly and her family. We went to St. Paul to The Yarnery and Borealis. Then she took me to a wonderful Vietnamese place to eat called Pha 79 on Nicolette Ave. in Minneapolis. Her girls were with us and they were the best behaved 5 & 3 year olds ever!!!! After dinner we went to have ice cream at Ben and Jerry's near Shelly's house. YUM!

Shelly put the girls to bed and while she was doing that I enjoyed looking at her knitting books. I made a mental list of the ones I'd like to get in the future. After the girls were sleeping, Shelly let me try out her spinning wheel. It was fun, but I really need more practice. She gave me a skein of her handspun yarn. It will be used to make a lace scarf. We talked for an hour or so then went to bed.

Thursday morning I flew out to St. Louis. Shelly graciously took me to the airport so I could leave me car at her house and save some money on parking. I got to St. Louis at 1:00 and to the hotel around 1:45. Walking into the lobby and seeing fellow knitters knitting was so amazing. I felt at home! I met some wonderful women and we pretty much spent the afternoon chatting and getting to know everyone. Some people that I've chatted with on Ravelry and I went out to dinner. Then it was back to the conference room for a dessert reception and knitting. I was so overwhelmed and tired that I didn't stay very long. I needed a good night sleep. My roommate Beth lives in Lee's Summit, MO. She was a great roomie.

Friday morning I took a class from Anne Hanson of Knitspot. I really need to concentrate when I do lace knitting, so I didn't get very much done in the class. She was an awesome teacher and so sweet. Friday after lunch I hung out in the Loopy Lounge and wound the yarn up that Shelly gave me. I was having a bit of trouble with the swift, so Claudia helped me out by being my swift! How cool is that? Her friends Maria and Dani also helped out. They suggested I use beads with the yarn, so I'm off to YDK to look for some beads after I get done posting. Friday night we went to an Italian resturant which wasn't that good. Then back to the lounge for more knitting. (I mostly ripped out) My ADD really kicked in this weekend so I have nothing to show for my time there. I really just wanted to meet some nice people and have a mini vacation and that is what happened, so that goal was accomplished.

Saturday morning I got to shop at TLE. It was amazing! I did cry when I got there. For those of you who know me very well know that I wear my emotions on my shoulders! I cry at the drop of a hat, so walking into the shop and seeing all the yarn was overwhelming. I have a surprise to blog about, but I'm waiting on that until I can get a picture. Maybe tomorrow. :) Okay, I have more to post about, but I need to get going. I'll try and post more about my weekend tomorrow. Happy knitting!

2009-04-12T10:55:00.002-05:00

Healing....

My BIL and nephew are here for the weekend. It is so nice spending time with them. We have had a lot of fun and talked quite a bit about my SIL. She is at peace now and we all know that. We miss her and her absence is felt by us all. I'm so thankful she was part of our lives, even for such a short time. She married my husband's brother four months before I married Tom. We were the "newbies" in the family. Seventeen years may sound like a long time, but really it isn't now that I think about it. I would have enjoyed many more years of making memories with her.

The craziness of the alcoholism wasn't fun at times, I need to admit that. It wasn't all good memories. I do miss her and wish she was here today to help cook Easter dinner. She was a fabulous chef! She taught me quite a bit about cooking and for that I am grateful. I'm trying my best to have a nice dinner for her husband and son, as well as my family.

I'm off to make a cake for our dessert. The sweet potatoes and regular potatoes are in the oven baking. Tom is going to cook the turkey on the grill. It is our first time doing this, so I hope it turns out. I also have a small ham to bake. Happy Easter and Happy knitting!

2009-03-23T23:41:00.001-05:00

Grief

My sister-in-law passed away today. She was 49. Alcoholism. What else can I say?

2009-02-20T11:17:00.003-06:00

16.....

Grant turned 16 on Wednesday. How fast the years fly by. He had a nice birthday and several of his teachers gave him candy and one gave him a card she had made with a picture of him when he was around one. We used to live by them and I guess this picture was taken when we were over there for a BBQ. We took the kids out to dinner to celebrate and we all had a good time.

I made him a banana cream pie for dessert. I should have let the pudding cool a bit before putting it in the pie shell, but it was good anyway. It just got kind of runny. Maybe next time I'll just use instant pudding and cool whip. It was fun trying to make a cream pie from scratch though.

I'm still working on my Clapotis. I don't enjoy the project, but I know that once it is finished, I'll be glad I have it. Off to do some more laundry. Happy knitting!

2009-02-14T09:30:00.006-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

No new knitting news, I've been busy scrapbooking. It is giving my wrists a much needed rest. The sun is shining today which is wonderful. I am looking forward to spring! Grant will be busy helping deliver flowers today for Avalon Floral here in Eau Claire. I'm sure he'll be tired when he gets home.

I'm going to work on some more scrapbooking pages this afternoon and may then knit tonight. Maggie requested steak and mashed potatoes for dinner, so that's how we'll celebrate with the kids. I did make an egg bake and cinnamon rolls for breakfast and gave them their gifts.

Well, Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Knitting!

ETA: I had to add three photos. My flowers, candy, and purse that Tom gave me for this afternoon.

2009-01-23T23:58:00.004-06:00

Work in progress....

Here is my Clapotis is progress. I love the yarn I'm using, but I'm not really enjoying the knitting of this. I'll keep on working on it because I do love how the finished project looks.Tom and I went to Frost/Nixon tonight. It was pretty good, but Gran Torino was much better. I have vague memories of the whole Watergate stuff and the David Frost interview. I wasn't much into politics then. I couldn't help but make the comparisson of Nixon's actions in Cambodia with what George Bush did in Iraq with the "weapons of mass distruction". Maybe in 30 years someone will make a movie out of it.

I also got a neat gift today, my friend who works at Starbucks got me one of the wreaths that was hanging in Starbucks during Christmas. If you didn't go to Starbucks during the Christmas season, you may not know that the decorations were yarn related. I was sad to find out that the decorations were thrown out after Christmas!!! I would have driven to the four Starbucks in EC and picked up the decorations. I know I could have found homes for the stuff with my fiber friends. What a waste! Anyway, here is my wreath:
Maggie set me up with Facebook. It's been fun, yet another time suck. I will admit it has been fun reconnecting with some friends from high school. It appears that some people haven't changed much at all. I wish I could say the same. Oh well, that's life. I need to get to bed.

Happy knitting!

2009-01-20T14:16:00.002-06:00

St. Louis...yipeeee!

I will be going to St. Louis at the end of April for The Loopy Ewe's Spring Fling. I put my name into the lottery in December, but wasn't picked. Last week I got an email from Sheri and they were able to get the people on the waiting list in, so I get to go. Teachers for the weekend include: Wendy Johnson of Wendy Knits, Cookie A of Cookie A Designs, and Anne Hanson of Knitspot.

I am so looking forward to this. Spending a weekend knitting with like minded people will be so much fun. I'll probably break my yarn diet that weekend. We get to shop at TLE. I should take cash so I don't go crazy, cuz I tend to be a bit impulsive. :)

I'm making progress on my Clapotis. It's been fun working on it. Pictures tomorrow. Gotta run and get Grant from school. Happy knitting!

2009-01-13T22:35:00.002-06:00

Brrrrrr......

This cold weather stinks. I heard on the radio this morning that this is typically the coldest week during the year for us. I believe it. Friday morning the forecast is -22F. My kids are hoping they cancel school. I think if the temp. plus wind chill gets to -30F, they will close schools. I am thankful that the sun was shining today. I need sunshine.

I finished my swap pal's project and I plan on getting it in the mail Thursday. I have a few more things to buy to add to the hand knitted item. I'll post a picture next week.

I won't be going to the Bohus Exhibit after all. My daughter has Winter Carnival on the 31st and I want to be here to help her get ready and take pictures. The dress we bought her is beautiful and looks like it was made just for her. Oh my, she is growing up. She asked me if I would be a chaperon for the dance and I said sure. It will be fun to see all the kids dressed up.

Tomorrow I'm getting together to knit with a few friends who I haven't seen for a long time. It will be fun to see what they've been knitting. I plan on working on a basic sock while I'm there. I get a bit distracted and need a mindless knit.

2009-01-11T22:04:00.002-06:00

Writers Block...

I don't have much to write about, but since it's been over a week I thought I should post. I'm still working on my swap pal's project. I'm almost done. We had more mice this week which totally grossed me out. Tom filled a hole under the dishwasher with some copper wool and also filled in around the hose that comes into the house from the air conditioner. So far we haven't seen any new droppings, so I hope we are done with the mice. Ick!! The exterminator will be called if I find any more mouse poo!

I'm anxious to start working on my Clapotis with my Wollmeise in the Frosh colorway. It will be so pretty. I have a long list of projects I want to do including some fair isle socks. I plan on using my Wollmeise Jultome that came in my December sock club package along with some natural. I signed up for a bus trip through Yellow Dog Knitting to go to the Bohus Exhibit in Minneapolis on January 31. I'm sure the knitting will be fabulous. I may have to break my yarn diet since we will be stopping at some yarn shops that day too.

It's only 11 days into my yarn diet and I hate it. I love yarn. I'm going to try and finish a project or two then re-evaluate. Okay, I need to get to bed. Happy knitting!

2008-12-30T19:52:00.004-06:00

Anniversary Dinner

Tonight Tom and I went out for sushi at Shanghi Bistro here in Eau Claire. As usual, it was fabulous. We shared a sushi platter with ten different kinds of sushi. The platter came with a spicy tuna roll. For dessert I had creme brulee and Tom had Mochi. We've never had mochi before and it was very good. He ordered the coffee flavored one. I'd like to try the green tea flavored one or the mango. I'm going to see if I can buy this. It was good. The creme brulee was pretty good, too.

I got a wonderful skein of Malabrigo and a bar of chocolate in the mail today from Lisa. She is a fellow member in one of my groups on Ravelry. She lives in Mt. Horeb, WI which is by Madison. What a nice surprise. I'm thinking of making some fingerless mitts with it.

I'm off to work on my socks. Happy knitting!!

2008-12-29T17:43:00.002-06:00

Not a creature was stirring...not even a mouse!

Well, we had two little creatures stirring around our house!!! Ahhh, when we opened the silverware drawer on Christmas morning there were mouse droppings! Ick!!! All the silverware was put into the dishwasher and we sterilized the drawer. We put traps into several of the kitchen drawers and lo and behold yesterday morning Tom had two mice in a trap in the silverware drawer. Nasty!!! We have a rule about not eating anywhere but the kitchen because we don't want to attract any rodents. Well, as Grant pointed out, it doesn't do much good to have that rule since the mice were in the kitchen!! Teenagers! The rule still exists!

I started working on a pair of socks yesterday and have both toes done. I am now going to put them onto one 40" circular needle so I can finish them at the same time. I need to make myself do this more often, then I wouldn't suffer from second sock syndrome. I still have four socks that need mates. I am also starting a Clapotis on January 1. I joined a KAL on Ravelry.

I'll post a picture of the socks after my swap partner gets them. I don't know if she reads my blog or not, but just in case she does, I don't want to spoil the surprise. Need to go finish dinner. Happy knitting!!

2008-12-27T01:27:00.002-06:00

The Shack

I have wanted to read The Shack for a while now. I was asked if I would lead a high school book club at church and this is the first book we are going to discuss. I spent the day reading it. I found this book amazing. I don't have the words to describe how I'm feeling right now. I am looking forward to Jan. 19 when the book club will be meeting for the first time. I want all of my kids to read this book. Okay, Patrick may be too young, but I will want him to read this at some point in his life. I am going to strongly encourage both of my older kids to read it.

We had a nice Christmas. Everyone was pleased with their gifts. We all went to the movie Valkyrie yesterday. It was pretty good, but sad. I think I would have rather gone to Marley and Me, but the rest of the family picked Valkyrie. I did get a movie gift certificate in my stocking, so I will be going to see Marley and Me during this Christmas break.

I joined a swap on Ravelry, so tomorrow I need to start my project for my swap partner. I am going to make her some socks, but I haven't decided on a pattern yet. Something simple, cuz I am so slow at knitting socks and these need to be sent to her by Feb. 1. Yes, that is a month or so away and for some of you fast knitters this seems a long time. For me it is not long enough. I'll have to hope that my wrists don't get angry and make sure I have lots of ibuprophen on hand. I should get to bed. I'm such a night owl. Happy knitting!!!

2008-12-24T17:21:00.004-06:00

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-17T09:54:00.002-06:00

Anders.....

Look what came in the mail on Monday...I love him. He is so soft. Julie is a wonderful knitter. Amazing. I will treasure this little rabbit forever. My yarn came on Monday, too. I'll post a picture of that tomorrow. I need to post and run today. I have to clean and get my house ready to host book club tomorrow night. I have to bake cookies for a cookie exchange on Friday morning. Seven dozen, no problem. :)

Have a good day! Happy knitting!

2008-12-11T16:22:00.002-06:00

Christmas Cheer?

After school I told the kids I needed to take a picture for the Christmas cards. Well, let's just say this is an experience in our household. As Maggie says, "Mom, we're not a perfect family, so you won't get a perfect picture!" Okay, she's right. I wanted an outdoor picture without coats, hats, and gloves. Grant did not like this idea and those pictures turned out crappy. I settled on a picture taken in front of the tree. I now know why I don't have a lot of pictures of my kids together. Someday they'll all like each other and get along, right?

The mail carrier did deliver the package from the Discovery store, so that is a relief. I'm bummed my other packages haven't arrived, but hopefully they will come tomorrow or Saturday. And now for your viewing pleasure, the picture we picked for the cards:

2008-12-11T09:55:00.001-06:00

Oh Please Mr. Postman....

I have been trying to be patient with the USPS. I have packages coming from Germany and the UK. My Little Cotton Rabbit from Julie and my sock club package from Claudia, aka Wollmeise.
I thought both of the packages would have been here by now. I hope they didn't get lost. I also ordered a gift for Grant from the Discovery store. The tracker said it was in Memphis, TN on Dec. 5 and was now in the hands of the USPS. I didn't think it took that long for mail within the US to get from one area to another. Memphis isn't that far from Eau Claire. If these packages don't arrive by next Monday, then I'll start to panic and make phone calls. Yes, I am not the most patient person on this earth, I admit. I'm just so excited to see my rabbit in person and the yarn. I've seen a lot of pictures of the yarn on Ravelry, and I just know it will be even prettier in person.

My throat is feeling better, now I've lost my voice. I think the kids and Tom are happy about that. :) The fingerless mitts have been soaked and are now dry to wrap. I really think they turned out neat. I started a pair for myself. Well, I'm going to my friend's to scrapbook today. I need to get my stuff together. Happy Knitting!

2008-12-09T20:05:00.002-06:00

Fingerless Mitts
I finished the fingerless mitts tonight. They were so easy and fun. I finished one on Sunday night. I felt like crap yesterday and so I didn't knit. I cast on for the second one this afternoon and got it done a few minutes ago. Loved this pattern. I have enough yarn left over to make myself a pair. The yarn is Noro Iro. I got it a few years ago at Yellow Dog Knitting.

My wrists have been bugging me, so my doctor had me see an occupational therapist today. The therapist was not very good. I have spoken to my doctor and she is going to call a hand specialist and ask who he recommends I see. I do not want to have carpal tunnel surgery, so I'd like to see what else I can do to alleviate the tingling and numbness. I've had symptoms for about four years and it has gotten worse this fall. Perhaps stripping wallpaper, painting, and moving furniture and carpet has aggravated things. I know I can't knit for as long as I used to and I'm trying to cut back on the amount of time I knit at one sitting. Knitting with size 8 needles helps a bit. I have been knitting socks and I am using size 00 for them. This really hurts, but I love knitting socks. I also have quite a big stash of sock yarn, so I'm not giving up on socks.

Christmas preparations have come to a stop while I've been sick. I won't be putting up the other two trees this year. I have 3/4 of the shopping done, I just need to wrap gifts and get the picture taken for the cards. I'm just not going to stress over Christmas this year.

Well, I'm off to have a cup of tea with honey. Happy knitting!

2008-12-07T13:09:00.002-06:00

Ugh!!!

I have a terrible sore throat and feel like crap. I do not have time to be sick. The silver lining in this?....knitting without feeling guilty. I'm watching the Packer game and sipping tea while knitting and blogging. Two out of four Christmas trees are decorated and one mantle is 3/4 done. If this is all that gets done this year, oh well, that's okay.

Yesterday we had a knit in at church. It was a lot of fun and wonderful soup and bread were served for lunch along with many yummy treats. I worked on my sock in progress and then last night worked on a fingerless mitt pattern that I picked up at church. I am going to give them to my friend, Amy, who does my nails and hair. I think she'll like them. I know she will appreciate the handmade gift, because she makes glass beads and sells them.

Well, I need to pay attention to the game. Tom and Patrick are there, so I'm going to see if I can spot them in the crowd. Happy knitting!!

2008-12-03T12:29:00.002-06:00

Cable Knit Mug

I saw this on Vicki's blog and wanted one. Yesterday I was running errands and went to Starbucks to get one. They have yarn ball decorations for Christmas. If you are near a Starbucks, go in just to see the decorations if you don't buy coffee, etc. I bet you will want a mug, though.I have been working on a sock and have an idea in my head for a cable sweater. It is based on a sweater I noticed Blythe Danner wearing in the movie, Meet the Parents. I've seen this movie several times, but the other night I really noticed this sweater. Now I'm trying to gather some cable patterns together for swatching and design the sweater. I may be in over my head, but why not try?

The kids don't have school today due to a staff development day. It snowed a little last night, so the boys went out to try sledding. Not enough snow for that, but they had fun. It helps get me in the mood to finish decorating.

Well, I'm off to get some work done. Happy knitting!!

2008-11-29T10:23:00.003-06:00

Knitted Bliss......

I have been trying to get one of these cute knitted rabbits for over a year. Guess what? Yesterday I was lucky enough to have been stalking ETSY and this one popped up. I snagged him right away. Anders is now on the way to me from the UK. Julie has two kids and a busy life taking care of them. She knits to relax and also add some income for her family. Pop on over to read her
blog.

Grant and Patrick put up the Christmas tree last night and put the lights on. They did a pretty good job. I may have to adjust the lights a bit to hide the wires, and we are going to move it into the study. We are going to get a bigger tree from Sandy to put in the family room. We have a higher ceiling in there, so we can go with a bigger tree. Tonight and tomorrow we will decorate the trees and I'll start on the staircase and rest of the house. I love decorating for Christmas.

Tom and Maggie will be going to the Packer game tomorrow. I'm so glad Tom is able to take the time to have one on one time with the kids. Maggie enjoys having her dad all to her self, too. I am going to work on some socks. I have four singles that need mates. I used to be very good about finishing a whole pair of socks, but some how I caught SSS. Must work on correcting that tomorrow. Happy Knitting!!

ETA: Julie has an ETSY shop as well as this shop.

2008-11-28T12:18:00.003-06:00

The day after.....

We had a very nice Thanksgiving. I am so tired today! My friend Sandy and her boyfriend, Greg came over early in the afternoon and stayed until late last night. The kids were wonderful and I think Grant appreciated being home and not having a lot of extra people in the house. Greg brought fireworks and the kids loved that. Let's just say I'm glad the Sheriff's department didn't show up!!!! Very nice display and it wasn't even 4th of July. Last night Maggie went to stand in line at Best Buy with her friends Zac and Lexi. Zac wanted to get a computer when the store opened at 4 this morning. I haven't talked to her yet because I'm guessing she's still sleeping.

Today Tom and I are going to buy a new Christmas tree. It is an artificial one that already has lights on it. Sandy works at a flower shop and is going to give us a good deal. :)
Tonight we are going out to dinner at The Creamery with Sandy and Greg and our neighbors Tom and Darla. It will be fun. They have wonderful food!!! A friend of Tom's bought the Creamery a few months ago with his brother and it is fun to run into him when we are there. He lives two weeks in California and two weeks here.

Well, I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving (here in the US) and gets a lot of knitting time in over the weekend. I finished my cowl and am loving it!!!! Happy knitting!

2008-11-23T19:08:00.004-06:00

24.......Finally!!!!

It seems like forever since this has been on. We are watching it right now.

Knitting:

Yarn: Hand Maiden Casbah Loopified colorway
Pattern:Gloria Cowl

I'm loving this yarn!! It is so soft. This was a special color for The Loopy Ewe's second anniversary. It is going to match my ski jacket perfectly. (Not that I ski or anything)

We are staying home for Thanksgiving and having a low key day, just the five of us. I will be baking pies with my neighbor on Tuesday. She makes great pie crust and is going to teach me how. I usually just use Pillsb*ry, but I really want to make it from scratch after tasting her pie crust. She made a pie for Tom on his 50th birthday on Oct. 26.

I hope you all have a nice Thanksgiving (if you celebrate) Happy knitting!

2008-11-13T09:16:00.003-06:00

AND THE WINNER IS......

Well, since I only had two commenters that donated to their area shelters, both of you are winners. I have another skein of Yarn Pirate Yarn in the Cupcake colorway, which is cream, pink, and brown. So Since Turtle commented first, she gets the June Bug and Kristen gets the Cupcake. Send me an email to jaciquigleyATcharterDOTnet with your snail mail address and I'll get your yarn in the mail. I'm sorry I didn't do this Monday night, but my back was causing problems and I took a sleeping pill and was in bed by 6:00 that night.

So far this week I've been helping a neighbor with her puppy. He is a handful and she is having some personal problems and just couldn't handle him. He was here Tuesday through this morning. She took him to a horse farm where someone is going to try and train him. I tried, but he was so mean to my dog Todd. I really thought he was going to hurt him. I feel bad that I couldn't keep him, but I already have two dogs and two cats.

On to the knitting news, well there really isn't any. :( I spent last week getting ready for my annual scrapbooking weekend. It was fun and I got a lot done, but have a lot more to do to get Maggie's book caught up. Grant and Patrick's books need my attention too. I am much more organized now, so it will be easier to grab a few pictures and do a couple pages each day.

It's currently raining again. We've seen some snowflakes this past week too. I just with the sun would shine! I'm off to snuggle with the dogs for a bit and I may actually knit. Happy knitting!

ETA: Sorry about the spelling errors, I was in a hurry this morning. Also, the puppy is going back to the breeder. It's best for their family and him. I'm so sad that I couldn't keep him, but this is for the best.

2008-11-01T12:20:00.012-05:00

I decided to change the look of the blog because it's been TWO YEARS since I started blogging. I'm having a contest for this skein of Yarn Pirate June Bug Yarn. In order to be entered into the drawing, donate $20 or more to your local animal shelter and post about it on your blog, then leave me a comment. If you don't have a blog, then just let me know in the comments that you donated. I'd like to have the donations reach at least $100 dollars, so pass the word along to other knitters and friends. The contest will be open until November 10th at 6:00 pm. central standard time.

FINISHED KNITTED OBJECTS....for real!!!!!

Yes, I finally have some knitting to show. I finished Tom's felted slippers and a scarf. I am currently working on making mittens for Maggie's friends, a baby sweater, and some socks.

I used Cascade 220 for the slippers and the scarf was made from Wollmeise in the Paul color way.

It's been a busy month. Maggie is done with volleyball, attended Memorial's homecoming, and is in kickball tournament for a friends dad who has cancer. The tournament is part of a benefit to raise money for his cancer treatment. Grant has his permit now and that is a little nerve wracking. Patrick is adjusting to middle school and has really improved his grades.

Maggie in her homecoming dress. Maggie dressed up as Madonna for a Halloween party.
I took a spinning class the other night at The Yellow Dog. I also took a class on dying yarn.

I'll try to post more often. Have a good weekend and happy knitting!

2008-10-08T17:40:00.003-05:00

WOW, TWO MONTHS SINCE I LAST POSTED!!!

I am a bad blogger. I hate to admit that Ravelry has been taking a lot of my time away from my blog. I continue to read a lot of blogs, but just don't post on my own. Knitting has been sparse around here. I've only knit one sock and one scarf since last spring. Ugh!

The kids continue to keep me busy and on my toes!!! Two in high school and one in middle school. WOW! Maggie loves volleyball and her season will end next week. Her team has been very successful. Grant is going to get his Driver's Permit tomorrow and has his first behind the wheel lesson on Friday night. Big stuff for my teenagers. Patrick is adjusting to Middle School after a rough first few weeks. I have had some time to reconnect with some friends now that school is in session. I am back to Bible Study once a week and scrapbooking a few times a month. I do enjoy my time with friends.

Tom has been stressed lately with all of the stuff happening in the stock market and economy, but he is doing okay. He has been putting in 12-13 hour days and is very tired when he gets home. I'm trying to keep things going smoothly at home to help ease the stress. It is no secret to those who know us best that it would bug me when he'd get mad about spending money. I am now thankful that he was always the voice of reason when I'd approach him about spending money. We will be just fine and just need to keep watching what we spend money on. He is confident the market will come back up and we just need to "ride this out".

Well, I think I've rambled on long enough.

2008-08-08T10:30:00.002-05:00

Another one......

Here is a picture of my new tatoo.......It's hard taking a picture of your own ankle, but you all get the idea. This is Loopy, the logo from The Loopy Ewe.

The first time I shopped at their online store I fell in love with the logo. I have been tossing the idea around in my head to get a knitting tatto, and well, I did it. Last spring I asked Sheri for permission to use her logo, and she said yes. Then I had surgery and didn't feel up to having it done. Now it's done and I love it. I'm off to get Grant ready for work. Happy knitting!

2008-07-21T14:42:00.005-05:00

Country Jam...Part 2

We had a good time on Saturday, except for the thunderstorm that went through around 5:30. The VIP area was full of water. It was gross, but we went back to our chairs anyway. Clay Walker and Carrie Underwood were great. Earlier in the afternoon it was hot and sunny. Maggie and I got our picture taken with Sarah Johns. Maggie is holding a postcard from The Loopy Ewe of their logo Loopy. On September 1st they are giving away gift certificates from the pictures submitted. Check out their website and go to photo galleries. Click on Summer 2008 and see some of the neat places he's been this summer.

2008-07-19T13:10:00.006-05:00

Country Jam 2008 Big Kenny and John Rich from Big and Rich. Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and Taylor Swift. Maggie and I are having a good time. More picture tomorrow. We are off to see Lady Antebellum, Clay Walker, and Carrie Underwood today. Bye, y'all. :)

2008-07-12T23:59:00.002-05:00

Update...

I had an MRI done yesterday on my shoulder. I have bursitis and a tear in my rotator cuff. I was give a cortisone shot and will do some physical therapy. The doctor said I will need to have surgery, but hopefully not for a few years. I am very thankful for that. I've had enough surgeries to last for awhile!!! I'm still not knitting a lot so really have nothing new to share.

Maggie had fun at her friend's cabin last weekend, but ended up with a concussion and whiplash from tubing behind the boat. She was launched into the air and landed so hard that it knocked the wind out of her in addition to the other stuff. She has to take it easy for two weeks. She will be going to volleyball camp on the 20th for four days, then home for three days and off to YMCA camp on the 27th for a week. I'm thankful that she is doing better. She doesn't like having to stay home and relax, but if she wants to recover quickly and go to her camps, she must.

I'm off to check emails and then bed.

2008-07-05T22:31:00.003-05:00

New Camera.....
Tom gave me a Canon Rebel for my birthday a month ago. I'm still learning how to use it but I was able to get some good shots last night at the fireworks.

We had an awesome fireworks display. It amazes me how they come up with the designs in the fireworks. Two had hearts inside a circle, and one had a five pointed star. Anyone out there know how it all works?
Maggie went up to a friend's cabin on Thursday so it was strange not having all of my kids with me yesterday. It's all part of letting them grow up and away. The boys are still outside with some of the neighborhood kids firing off some small fireworks. I didn't want them to go, but Tom told me to lighten up. Again, another moment to let them grow up. They are to be home in ten minutes then I can go to bed and stop worrying.

Knitting has been sparse. My shoulders are really bothering me. I did make a wash cloth, but I'm not going to post a picture since it isn't that exciting. I am going to see the doctor on Tuesday, so hopefully I can get some relief with some physical therapy. I'm off to watch SNL and wait for the boys. Happy knitting!

2008-06-18T11:31:00.002-05:00

Lazy days of summer....that's a laugh!

My life has been crazy running my kids all over for various activities. Grant started a job two afternoons a week, Patrick has baseball, sports training, and band, and Maggie has has two volleyball camps and sports training. Add in a garage sale and just trying to keep up with the house, this is insanity!!!

Next week things slow down a bit. I am looking forward to sitting by the pool and reading for a few afternoons. Let's just hope the weather cooperates. If I had a convertible, I would have an awesome tan from all the driving I've been doing. :)

I started crocheting a bag, but ripped it out last night. I may start over today, or I may just knit something with the yarn. Well, I need to take Grant to work and Patrick to work out. Happy knitting!

2008-05-19T10:02:00.002-05:00

They grow up....

Maggie had her 8th grade graduation dance Friday night. This is a picture of her with Tom. It amazes me how fast she is growing up. I'm a proud mama. She is a beautiful, kind hearted young woman. One of her good friends had a party after the dance. The family opened their pool early so the kids could swim. It rained a bit, but they were able to swim and enjoy the hot tub. I helped supervise, and it was a joy to see all of the kids having a good time. Maggie has a really nice group of friends.

I joined the 52 pair plunge, which means that from June 1, 2008 to June 1, 2009 I need to knit 52 pairs of socks. Crazy, huh? I have three single socks, so they can count when I get the mates finished. I wonder if I'll be able to do this. It's good to have goals, right? We'll see how this goes.

The sun is shining right now, but it is cold!!! I wish we would get some 70-75 degree temps that would stay. We've had a few warm days this spring, but they are few and far between. I think we will be opening our pool next week, but I'm not sure about heating it yet. It seems too silly to waste the gas heating the thing when the nights are still in the 40's! Well, the laundry awaits my attention. Happy knitting!

2008-05-12T19:34:00.002-05:00

Busy....

Today is Patrick's birthday. He is 11. Wow, how did that happen? The years have just flown by. Life continues to be a whirlwind. Having three kids is busy, add in a few favorite sports, music lessons, church activities, hobbies, and school activities, and that about sums up life these days. Patrick is winding up with his Elementary school days, and Maggie is almost finished with Middle school. May continues to be a crazy month.

Happy belated Mother's Day to the mothers reading this. I didn't even spend much time with my own kids. I went up to my parent's house to see my mom. Patrick had baseball practice and I knew that we wouldn't have time to drive up there, visit, and get back here in time for practice. Since he didn't go, then Grant didn't want to go and neither did Maggie. It was not fun spending Mother's Day without my own kids, so next year, I am expecting breakfast in bed and some quality time with my kids. I've already informed Tom of my plans:) He is okay with it.

Posts will be sporadic throughout the next month or so. I am knitting, just not that much. I keep reading blogs and will continue to try to stay connected that way. For now, happy knitting.

2008-05-02T20:50:00.002-05:00

Still here....

I haven't posted in a month. It's not that I haven't been knitting, I have been. I need to bind off a sock and then I'll post a picture. I'm not sure, but I just haven't felt like blogging. I am reading blogs everyday, but my blogging mojo is just not here.

I'm recovering from my surgery as expected. I did too much after the first two weeks and had a bit of a set back. I really tire easily, so I am trying to rest. I'm still a mom, so the kids and their schedules keep me busy. The other night I was in bed at 8:00! As soon as I am done posting this, I'll be going to bed. I am tired tonight. Maggie is playing softball again this spring and Patrick is playing baseball. It is a busy time of year for our family. Last weekend we went to Milwaukee to watch the Brewer's play the Florida Marlin's. The boys didn't want to go to the game on Saturday night, so I stayed at the hotel with them. It was a good idea, because when I snuggled into read my book, I fell asleep for a couple hours. The boys were great and watched a movie.

This cold, rainy, and snowy spring really stinks. I really need the sun to shine! It is starting to get me down. Maybe that's why I don't feel like knitting much. I just can't seem to manage much joy from anything right now. It's stressful with two teenagers and an almost 11 year old. I know that when I have more energy things will get better. Okay, so sorry for this lack luster post. Anyone out there have any ideas to cheer me up? Good kid stories, jokes, etc.? Pet stories? Funny husband/significant other stories? I could use a good laugh.

2008-04-02T12:21:00.003-05:00

Baby food...

I can't believe I am sick of sweet stuff already, but I am. I asked Chris to go to the store for me and buy baby food carrots. I added some butter and salt and they are actually pretty good. The jello, pudding, yogurt, and protein drinks are good, but I was craving something savory. Chris also brought me some mixed veggies, which I haven't tried yet. I had tomato soup yesterday for lunch and that was pretty good also. The good thing in all of this(well, besides no more acid reflux) is that I am losing weight. I have lost four pounds already. I must get off the "winter coat" that I added during the holidays and this long winter. I figure that just about the time I can eat real food again, I will be able to start exercising too, so hopefully the weight will stay off.

I went to the chiropractor this morning and my neck and shoulders feel so much better. The first thing I started to complain about after the surgery was how sore my neck was. It was awful. I've been up since 7 this morning and have been checking emails, blogs, and Ravelry, so I need to go take a nap. I may have some knitting to show soon. I really haven't even felt like knitting.

2008-03-30T15:41:00.003-05:00

Home....

Hi all. I got home from the hospital around 1:30. The surgery went well and I'm recovering normally. I was suppose to come home yesterday, but I got really nauseaed and they gave me some medication and I stayed one more night. It is good to be home. The nurses and nursing assistants were great. I was very thankful for the kindness. I tried to knit on a sock Friday night, but I really screwed it up. Vicodin and knitting just don't go well together:)

I need to go take a nap. Happy knitting!

2008-03-26T17:41:00.002-05:00

No bread or pasta....

I had a good conversation today with the pre-op nurse. She had this same surgery a year ago, so in between asking me all the required questions, I'd interject a little question of my own. She told me that I wouldn't be eating any bread or pasta for at least a month if not longer. Boy, do I love bread and pasta. Also, no soda pop for a long time. In the end this will all be worth it. We all know that soda isn't very good for a body, so this may be just the thing I need to give it up. A good side effect of this will be some much needed weight loss. Tom called me earlier and asked if I was packed and ready to go. I let him know that my knitting was all ready. He said, "Yeah, who needs clean underwear when you've got knitting." Too funny!

Okay, Miss Maggie and I are off to confirmation. I'll update as soon as I feel better. Happy knitting!

2008-03-25T09:10:00.005-05:00

All done....
Another pair of socks for me! I started this pair in June when I got the yarn from Shelly. I don't know why I suffered from second sock syndrome with this pair. I'm glad they are finished and I plan on wearing them today!! I may even wash them up tonight to take to the hospital with me.

Shelly and her beautiful girls met us last Monday when we were up in the cities. We went to a Vietnamese resturant and it was fabulous. I can't remember the name of the soup we all got, but it was delicious. My boys were not the best behaved and I was embarrassed, but it was wonderful to see Shelly again. Her girls were fantastic and they are only 2 and 4! Next time I go meet her I will be alone. (Or I may take Maggie with me, she was wonderful) Shelly brought me a gift of this hand spun yarn. I was going to make mittens for myself, but changed my mind. I think I will make a scarf. One can never have too many scarves when you live in Wisconsin!
I was remiss in posting a picture of my yarn I got with my cute sheep. Chris said the bag was making lots of noise and when she looked in it, there was yarn!:) Too funny. She spoils me.
I am meeting with my knitting group today. Chris, Jane, Susan, and I started a little group last fall and we try to meet up once a month. I enjoy it very much. Tonight is our group at church, Purly Gates Knitters, so I'm going to that as well. Today is just a good day for knitting!
I'm off to try and get some work done before my "playdate" with my friends. Happy knitting!!!

2008-03-24T15:30:00.004-05:00

A Sheepy Friend and new yarn....

My friend, Chris, gave me this big, fluffy sheep on Thursday. Isn't it cute? Very soft and cuddly.

Here are some new skeins of yarn I received in the last week or so. On the left is Cherry Tree Hill from my Loopy Ewe sock club package, middle is Wollmeise (also from The Loopy Ewe) andon the right is my Yarn Pirate sock club yarn. I really love them all.
We had a nice Easter yesterday. We went to church then to see Tom's mom. The afternoon was spent relaxing and then we had a nice dinner with ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, and the ever so nummy snickers salad. (Snickers, green apples, mandarin oranges, cool whip and vanilla pudding) Last night I finished up the last pair of mittens I'm making this year for Maggie's friends. We still have a lot of snow and more is predicted tomorrow! I am so ready for spring!!!

I will have a finished pair of socks to show tomorrow. The first one was done in June!!! I had a bit of second sock syndrome. Happy knitting!!

2008-03-22T12:47:00.002-05:00

Surgery...

On Thursday I will be having a procedure called a Nissan Fundoplication as described here. I have been dealing with acid reflux since I was pregnant with Grant. It got worse with each pregnancy and I've been taking Nexium twice a day for a long time. I'm still having problems and they can't increase the medication so this is the next step. Since November I've had ultrasounds, CT scans, endoscopy, and manometry done. I will be in the hospital 2-3 days and on a liquid diet for 2 weeks. I hope to get a lot of knitting done. The only concern I have is the nausea after surgery. I hope they give me lots of drugs to counteract this.

I'll try to update my blog again before Thursday and hopefully will be feeling better by the following Monday. Happy Easter!

2008-03-16T22:10:00.003-05:00

1000 Knitters...

Yesterday at Yellow Dog Knitting I had my picture taken by Franklin Habit for his book project to photograph 1000 knitters. It was very nice to meet him. He is so friendly and I wasn't nervous at all. I was the first one for the day and I'm not sure what number I was exactly. I believe he photographed approx. 50 knitters yesterday. Our local newspaper even wrote an article about the event. Knitters rule! Go read Franklin's blog. It is wonderful.

In the afternoon I went up to Woodbury for a gathering of my high school friends. We have been having a Christmas party every year since our senior year. It has been hard to gather in December, so in the past five years or so, it has been in January. Well, somehow we didn't get our acts together and found ourselves gathering in March this year. There are about 25 or so of us, but only 13 were able to attend yesterday. It was so much fun catching up with everyone. Most of us have children and the ages range from 25 to 3 1/2. One of my friend's is planning her daughter's wedding. I think this is the first wedding for our group. So far no one is a grandma. Ugh! I can't believe I even wrote that. Am I really old enough to have high school friend's who could be grandmas. Scary!! We stayed up until 3:00 a.m talking and laughing. I had to take a nap this afternoon! :)

Tomorrow the kids and I head out for our mini-vacation to the Mall of America. I am looking forward to it and so are the kids. Happy knitting!!!

2008-03-13T11:54:00.005-05:00

NEW FAMILY MEMBER....
Here is Sadie Lynn. We got her on Saturday from the Eau Claire County Humane Association. She is a doll. I didn't think I was ready, and I do still miss Gracie a lot, but Sadie is so fun. She is six months old. The dogs are getting along well with her. Richie a.k.a. Fat Cat is still adjusting. He was trying to play with her today, so that is a good sign.

Blankie Pictures

Here are some updated pictures of my blankie. Shelly has completed her blankie and that inspired me to get mine out and work on it. I really do enjoy this project. I can do a few squares and feel like I've accomplished something.

Kids are on spring break next week, so we are going to the Mall of America on Monday and Tuesday. We haven't spent a lot of time at the mall in awhile, so I thought it would be a nice time to do this. A lot of people we know are heading to warmer climates and wonderful vacations, but this will have to do for now. The kids wish we were going somewhere tropical, but it is a very busy time for Tom at work and it is too hard for him to get away. I really didn't feel like going on a vacation with the kids myself. I did that once in 2001 and we had fun, but I want Tom to be able to go with us. We may take the kids to Florida this fall.

I need to get some work done. Have a good day!! Happy knitting!

2008-03-06T20:01:00.002-06:00

A SAD DAY IN PACKERLAND.......

Well it is official, Brett retired. I was in denial up until the news conference this morning. I cried a lot, but so did the other women I was with today. I went to a friend's house for scrapbooking and we all sat on the couch and cried while Brett said his goodbye. I know he is a human being just like the rest of us, but he was so much fun to watch. I thought it was interesting how he stated that he knows what it is like to be dead. Watching all the sports coverage about his career must be pretty weird because it seems like we all are eulogizing him. Like he said, "All good things must come to an end."

Maggie, Patrick, and I went to the Chippewa County Humane Association to look at some kittens today. I thought I was ready to get another cat, but I'm not. Both of the kitties we were looking at are adorable, but it just didn't feel right in my heart. I guess I need more time.

I'll stop for now to go knit and watch the Eau Claire North High School boys basketball team play in the state tournament. Happy Knitting!!

2008-03-03T09:22:00.003-06:00

We had my friend's daughter take pictures of Gracie last August since we weren't sure how long we would have her in our lives. This one is probably my favorite. I am so thankful that I have this one. I have set it to be my background on the computer screen. I wanted to share it with all of you. It really shows what a sweetie she was and how much fun we had watching her. I love how you can see her pretty pink nose and tongue. I'm missing her a lot and have been a bit emotional the past few days about her. Adding to the mood is stress over dealing with teenagers. I know that the decisions Tom and I make are in the best interests of the kids, but d@mn, it is hard. Someday the kids will know we did our best and hopefully with see that we just wanted to help shape them into wonderful members of society. We are trying to find the balance between being too strict yet giving limits that are appropriate for them. If they get to do whatever they want at 15 and 13 1/2 what do they have to look forward too? Is it ever going to be enough? Well, I hope you all enjoy my picture of Gracie. She gave me a lot of unconditional love, and I guess I'm missing that. Teenagers don't quite get that yet:(

2008-03-02T19:39:00.002-06:00

More volleyball...

We had another tournament today. The good part was that it was here in Eau Claire, the bad part is that Maggie's team didn't play very good. She is frustrated and I don't blame her. She is very competitive and some girls on her team just don't take it seriously. They have one more tournament next Sunday in Rochester, MN and then they are done. I hate to admit it, but I'm glad. This has been a learning experience for all of us. She wants to try out for the club team again next year and I hope she makes it and has a more postive experience.

I have been knitting, just not blogging or taking pictures. I seem to have starteritis. Yes, I believe that is a made up name. I have started a sweater and frogged it, am working on my Diva sweater, have a mitten done and one more to go, started a scarf, and began designing a fair isle sweater. My ADD must be in full swing! :)

I'm tired and the dogs are looking for a lap to cuddle with. I'm going over to Ravelry then I'll hit the couch. Happy knitting.

2008-02-18T10:23:00.002-06:00

SO CLOSE, YET SO FAR AWAY.....

I can't believe I was so close to the Mall of America this weekend and didn't get to go to the Knit Out. We were 30 minutes south of there for a volleyball tournament. I thought we would be able to leave between games, but when the girls weren't playing they had to referee other games. We didn't get done until 8:30 on Saturday night. We were back in Belle Plaine at 7:30 am on Sunday and left at 5:00. Check out Shelly's blog. She was at the Knit Out and has some good pictures.

We stopped in Hudson to eat on the way home. While I was getting out of the car, I realized too late that my foot was wrapped in the strap of my knitting bag! I fell and tried to brace myself with my hands. I think I sprained my right wrist. It hurts terribly and I am having some tingling and numbness in my fingers. I'm going to the chiropractor and she what she thinks. What a moron I am!!

Maggie said it was pretty funny when I fell. She said one minute I was getting out of the car and the next she saw me crawling up the side of the car. I'm sure it was a sight to see!!

My son turns 15 today! We are taking some of his friends to a movie this afternoon then just the family out to dinner tonight. Wow, I can't believe how fast the time has gone. 15 years, unbelieveable.

2008-02-13T21:54:00.002-06:00

YES, THERE HAS BEEN KNITTING....

I have been knitting, just not blogging or taking pictures. I have started my Diva sweater and started another pair of mittens. My arthritis is really acting up so I haven't knit for a few days. I'm hoping that maybe tomorrow I can do some more knitting and perhaps get some pictures taken.

My husband gave me my Valentine's gift tonight. He bought me a sterling silver Green Bay Packer watch. It is really pretty. I had a wish list of several items at my favorite jewelry store, Williams Diamond Center, and this was on my list. I had some very reasonably priced items, starting at $54 and going all the way up to $3200. It doesn't hurt to dream does it? Well, the watch was at the lower end of the price list. I knew I wouldn't get any of the higher priced items, and that is okay. It was just fun going in and putting beautiful things on the list. I was happy that the watch was on sale. My husband is very good about gift giving. I guess I've trained him well :)

This weekend Maggie has a two day volleyball tournament up in the Twin Cities. We will be going up Saturday morning. Our hotel is in Eden Prairie and I'm hoping we will have some time to go to the Mall of America. I love to look at the shoes at Nordstrom's.

Okay, I'm tired so I'm going to get to bed. Happy knitting!!

2008-02-03T10:09:00.000-06:00

Anger

I am in the angry stage of grief. I'm not mad at God or anyone, I'm just angry that Gracie is gone. I miss her. Thank you to my friends who have called, sent cards, and wonderful comments on my blog. I appreciate all of your kindness.

Tom has been gone to a manager's meeting in California since Thursday so I've been single parenting it. The time has gone fast and the kids have been pretty good. Tom will be home between 3:30 and 4:00. Just in time to settle in to watch the Super Bowl.

Maggie and I had some blood work done to check for food and chemical sensitivities. We can no longer have cow's milk, goat's milk, cane sugar, yeast, wheat, broccoli, and a lot of others. I can't have saccharine or aspartame, either. I've found Agave nectar and it seems to work okay in my cup of tea. I've tried to start drinking rice milk. It will take some getting used to, but I can do it. Maggie is having a harder time. She's a teenager and doesn't want to give up pizza, pop, junk food. This was her last weekend for a lot of that. She went to a sleepover both Friday and Saturday nights. My mission is to find a cook book to help me figure out what she can take to school for lunch. She also had a severe reaction to chlorine, so she needs to stop drinking city water. Thank goodness we have well water here at home. Just a new adventure in my job as mother.

I've done a gauge swatch for my Hanne Falkenberg Diva sweater and am working on another. I want to be sure I get right on gauge so the sweater fits and looks nice. It was a lot to spend on a sweater, but I really like the looks of it.

Off to go to the store and get some food ready for the Big game. I am hoping the Giants win. I just think the Patriots are a bit too full of themselves. (And they cheated in the beginning of the season)

2008-01-27T10:54:00.001-06:00

PRECIOUS GRACIE.......

At 12:30 this morning Gracie threw another clot. She was in so much pain, it was terrible. We called the vet hospital and the on call vet met us at about 12:50 a.m. She was given a sediative to help with the pain and then we had to make the decision to euthanize her. It was so sad. Tom and I knew it was what we needed to do, but it was still very hard. Our friends Brian and Stacy were with us. We had all gone out for dinner earlier and then went back to our house so the big boys could play tennis and golf on the Nintendo Wii. It was really kind of them to follow us to the vet and stay with us.

I've never seen my husband cry so hard. I've known him for 17 1/2 years and haven't seen him cry like that. He really loved Miss Gracie a lot and she loved her Daddy. Our home is a bit empty today. The boys are taking the loss really well. Maggie was at a friends house for a sleep over, so she doesn't know yet. She will be pretty sad.

In June the vet told us we would have 60 days with her, and we ended up getting almost 8 months. I really tried to make the best of each and everyday with her. She was a sweet kitty and I loved having her cuddle on my lap and purr. I'm going to miss my precious little Gracie.

2008-01-24T11:04:00.000-06:00

DO I LOOK COLD? This was what I looked like on Sunday night at the game in Green Bay. Yes, it was freezing there!! I did get cold even though I had two coats on plus snow pants, hats, mittens, etc. We were so sad that they lost. I think I was in shock actually. No Super Bowl for us. My husband is still taking the loss hard. He was really hoping to go to the Super Bowl. Who knows if we'll get another chance. Oh well, we are saving a lot of money, so that is a good thing.

This is a picture overlooking one of the parking lots. Our brother in-law Denny, Tom, our nephew, Travis, and me in the front. This was taken before the game, notice the happy faces?
Here is a cute picture of Maggie with her team during one of the games on Sunday. They didn't go very far in the tournament, so she was home by 6:00 that day. Maggie is the only face you can see. She had a very nice spike in one game and was happy that her dad, uncle, and cousin made it to the game in time to see her play and do well.

I finished one pair of mittens and am on to the next pair. Last night at church, two of Maggie's guy friends asked for mittens. One wants red mittens with black kidsilk, and the other wants black mittens with red kidsilk. Too funny. I must get knitting. Have a good day. Happy knitting!!

2008-01-14T10:33:00.001-06:00

WINTER WONDERLAND, PACKER VICTORY, AND FINISHED OBJECT

Lots of pictures today. First we have the picture of the finished baby sweater for my great nephew, Bruce. Just in time for him to wear it for the NFC Championship game on Sunday. I am so happy that the Packers won!!

This is a close up of the football buttons I put on the sweater. I think they add just the right touch to the sweater.
This is a picture of the two men who sat behind us at the game on Saturday. (Dan and Tom)
It truly was magical. We felt like we were in a snow globe. That big white blob on the photo is a huge snow flake. It wasn't on my camera, but in front of the lens. So cool!
Before the game Tom and I stood in line so he could have Frank Winters and Antonio Freeman sign a mini helmet and a Sports Illustrated that had Antonio on the cover.
This is Tom and I near the end of the game. We could hardly see the players on the field. I know that this was the most fun I have had at Packer game ever.
We will be able to go to the NFC Championship game in Green Bay on Sunday. Maggie has a volleyball tournament in Merrill, WI so I will be getting up at 4:30 Sunday morning and we will leave at 5:00 to get her there at 7:30. Tom is planning on getting there around 11:00 to watch a few games and then we will head on to Green Bay. I think it is a two hour drive from Merrill to Green Bay. Maggie will ride home with another parent after the tournament.

I think I will get another Packer tatoo if they win and we go to the Super Bowl. I'm thinking of a small jersey with Favre's name and number on it. Probably on the same ankle as my Green Bay G, just on the outside of my leg. I'm sure some of you think I'm nuts, and maybe I am. I just love my Packers so much.

I'm going to start a pair of mittens today and hope to get them done for Maggie's friend, Alexa by Wednesday. Think I can do it?

Well, I'm off to work out!! Wish me luck! Happy knitting!

2008-01-11T00:49:00.000-06:00

I think I've swallowed a cow.....

Okay, so I didn't really swallow a cow, but I had an endoscopy done and they put a little transmitter into my esophogus. Have you ever swallowed a vitamin, pill, ect. and had it get stuck in your throat? Well, that is how I am feeling. It is not pleasant to say the least. I have to wear this beeper like thing until Saturday morning to monitor the ph level in my stomach and esophogus. Then I take it to the hospital on Sunday and they hook it to a computer and read the data. I have been having digestion issues and have severe acid reflux. I haven't been able to take my Nexium for over a week so they could do this test. I am not a happy girl. Hopefully we will figure out what is going on and I will start to feel better. I am almost finished with the baby sweater. Tom and I are going to Green Bay on Saturday to watch the Packers play the Seahawks. I'll have time to knit on the way over and hopefully finish it. I am very excited to go to the game and I really want the Packers to win and go to the NFC Championship game. If they go to the Super Bowl we will be able to go watch them. The Packers had a random drawing from the season ticket holders, and we scored two tickets. This is a once in a lifetime thing, and I'm really keeping my fingers crossed that they win and get to the Super Bowl.

Well, since it is nearly 1:00 a.m. I should try and go to sleep. I'll have to prop up a lot of pillows and sleep on an angle. This really sucks!!

2008-01-02T11:36:00.001-06:00

Do you think Todd was bored? While I've been reading blogs and catching up this morning, he was quite busy playing in my yarn. Guess what I'll be doing this afternoon? Rewinding a lot of yarn. He is so darn cute, but very naughty. I just love that face though and it is hard for me to get mad at him. He probably knows that, so that's why he is such a stinker. It could be worse. :)

Our New Year's Eve plans didn't go exactly like we wanted. We did enjoy a delicious dinner at our favorite place, Houligan's. We just had a feeling we should check on the kid's before going to our movie. When we got home the boys were pretty wild. They weren't acting very appropriate and using some "colorful" language. We decided to stay home. Maggie had three friend's over for the night, so it was just as well that we were here when their parents dropped them off. I was in bed by 9:30. I got a good night's sleep and that was wonderful.

Yesterday we went to see Tom's mom. She was looking pretty good. She had some nausea so had to stop her physical therapy early. She was just getting back into bed when we got there.

Okay, well I'm off to start working on that yarn mess. Hopefully I will have time to work on the Baby Albert coat I started for my great nephew. It is coming along nicely. Happpy knitting!!

2007-12-31T15:18:00.000-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

Today is our 16th wedding anniversary. Wow, I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

2007-12-24T20:05:00.000-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS......from my family to yours.

Here are the leg warmers that I made for my mother-in-law. Finally, I have a finished object to share on this knitting blog.
My family Christmas went really well on Saturday. We all had a good time. We were expecting a winter storm, so most everyone was gone by 4:00. The snow didn't start until 8:00 or so, but I'm glad everyone got home okay. I'm looking forward to some quiet time with my own family tonight and tomorrow. It will be very low key and wonderful.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. Happy knitting!!

2007-12-21T08:32:00.000-06:00

Ready or not......

Tomorrow my family is coming down to celebrate Christmas. I baked 8 dozen cookies and will be participating in a cookie exchange this morning with my Bible Study friends. This afternoon I plan on cleaning and then getting the egg bakes ready to put in the fridge. The tables will get set and then hopefully I can enjoy tomorrow. I've finished wrapping the gifts (which by the way, my boys have unwrapped a few of their own presents and re-wrapped them again!!), cards have been sent, and decorating is done. Why do I do this to myself? I'm trying to have a magical time for my family, but the stress is killing me. Christmas comes no matter if I get all this accomplished or not, so why do I feel the need to do this every year?

Tom's mom would love to be preparing for Christmas, so I need to be thankful that I am able to do all of these things for my family. Tom and I brought a small tree to her and decorated it. It really does look nice in her room and brings some holiday cheer for her. She is getting stronger and we are hoping that she continues to build her strength so she can get out of bed for longer periods of time. She is an amazing woman whom I love dearly.

Okay I'm off to get ready for my cookie exchange. Hopefully I can blog again before Christmas and show you all a finished project!! Happy knitting!

2007-12-11T22:33:00.001-06:00

Tom wanted me to post a different "elf" because he was a girl in the last one. So here it is

I am done decorating for Christmas. Yeah!! My cards will be ready to send out by Friday and next week will be for baking and getting ready for my family on Dec. 22.

Tom's mom will be going to the nursing home tomorrow. She is walking with a walker now and is feeling better. We are thankful for each day we have with her. The doctor doesn't know how much longer we have with her, but we are hopeful that it is a few more months. I actually started a baby sweater over the weekend. It is for my great-nephew, Bruce, and I was hoping to give it to him for Christmas, but I'm not going to stress over getting it done by then. I will probably have more time during the kids Christmas break to get some knitting done.

We may not have all of Tom's family here for Christmas Eve after all. Some of us got together last Saturday night at a niece's house, so we may just go to church and have dinner with just the five of us. That sounds nice right now. Okay, I'm off to get some much needed sleep. Happy knitting!!

2007-12-10T23:52:00.000-06:00

Funny thing to share.....
enjoy!

2007-11-25T08:26:00.000-06:00

LIFE HAPPENS

Well, again I have no knitting news. Where do I begin to explain the craziness of the past few weeks? My mother-in-law has been in the hospital since Tuesday, Nov. 13. We didn't think she would live past the weekend. Well, she is doing better and will have to go to a nursing home. Her cancer that she has been fighting for the past 5 years is back and there is nothing they can do at this time. She has a nasty sore and infection that won't heal. Her kidneys were starting to shut down and she was bleeding into her bladder. They have stablized her and she may be able to go to the nursing home sometime this week.

We were going to go to Madison for Thanksgiving, but Tom's brother and his wife and son came up here instead. I found out Monday that I was hosting Thanksgiving dinner for possibly 13-17 people. We managed to get the house in order, an aero bed purchased and put together with a nice feather bed on top, grocery's bought and dinner made, and I survived to write about it. :) My sister-in-law has a drinking problem, and was drunk for the three days they were here. I confronted her Saturday morning when she woke up and told her she wasn't welcome in my house until she sobers up. I grew up with an alcoholic father and I don't have to put up with that in my house. She is going to kill herself if she doesn't stop drinking. She was on a liver transplant list two years ago, but stopped drinking for a while and her liver recovered a bit. She went into treatment for two weeks in May, but started drinking shortly after that. I told Tom's brother that I was going to confront her and he said that I should. He has tried to help her, and is now just taking care of himself and their son. I feel so bad for him. I let him know that he and their son are welcome here anytime, but she isn't. He said that he will be back in two weeks to see his mom and that he'll leave her at home.

I think that was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but I just had had enough. My daughter knew something was wrong and so I explained everything to her. The boys spent most of the time playing video games in the basement, so I don't think they even noticed. I found two coffee mugs hidden around my kitchen full of gin on Friday night. That was when I decided that she needed to be confronted. She had fallen down my stairs before we went out to dinner Friday night, and told me she meant to do that. I'm not stupid and I knew she was drunk, but I didn't see her actually getting the gin out of the cabinet. When I found the mugs full of gin, I told my brother-in-law and we had a long talk. He is so sad and loves her so much. He told me that he knows he should kick her out and get her an apartment, but he said that he can't live with the guilt if she drinks herself to death alone. It is a sad situation.
I hope she goes into a thirty day treatment center and then works to stay sober. I know that she has a disease, but only she can make the decision to get sober.

I will be hosting Christmas with my family on Dec. 22 and then Tom's family will be here for Christmas Eve. I will be taking more time away from my blog and knitting. I plan on being back here after Christmas. I don't know if I have any readers left, but I want you to know that I am still reading blogs (when I can) and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season.

Happy knitting!!

2007-11-05T16:45:00.000-06:00

Mini Vacation....

I went to Geneva, Illinois on Friday and got back last night. I went to visit my friend, Becky, who moved from Eau Claire to Geneva in August of 2006. It was great to see her and spend some time away from the kids. It was just what I needed. We shopped for accessories for my house and I came home with some great stuff. I stayed within my budget, and boy was that hard! I want to go back in the spring, so I knew that I needed to be good this time. She has three boys the same ages as my kids. They were so good while I was there.

Geneva is a beautiful city. The shops were unique and it was such a joy to get to shop in a different area. I hate to admit this, but we saw three yarn shops and I didn't go into any of them. I know, what a shock! I really have a lot of yarn, and this trip was meant to get stuff for my house.

I haven't knit at all in over a week. I'm not a very good knit blogger these days. Life just happens sometimes. The kids have had big projects to work on and that adds to my stress. The projects are now complete and maybe I can take a breath. We are having the hardwood floor in the dining room refininshed and filled in. The previous owners who built the house just put hardwood around the perimeter of the room and had carpet in the middle. We have decided to just finish the room and not have carpet in there. My dining room table is in the study, the hutch and piano are in my kitchen. The plan is to start the floor on Wednesday or Thursday. I am so glad we are able to get this done before Christmas.

Okay, I have rambled on enough. Sorry that I've been away for a month. I'll try to post at least once a week.

2007-10-08T15:41:00.001-05:00

And the winner is.....

Sarah of knit7together. Send me your address and I'll get your yarn in the mail asap. Thanks to the people who commented. I can't believe I've been blogging for a year already. How fast the time flies.

I'm so sad the Packer's lost last night!! It was like they just forgot to play the other half of the game!!! Oh well, they have a lot more games to play and hopefully win. Tom and Patrick had fun going over to Green Bay with our neighbors, Tom and Gus. It was the first time for them to be at Lambeau Field and also Gus' first pro football game. They are Bears fans, but we still like them. :)

I went scrapbooking Friday night and all day on Saturday. I was able to catch up on my Christmas book and start one for Todd. Now my plan is to get pictures and stuff organized for Grant's book. I will be going on a retreat November 9-11, and that will enable me to get a lot done in his book. Maybe I'll even get "caught" up. If I just did a few pages a day it wouldn't be such a task, but I don't have any place to keep all the supplies out. I must get my old sewing room cleaned out and put together for a scrapbooking room.

I woke up yesterday with my left eye swollen almost shut. It was the weirdest thing. It's not red or yucky, so I don't think I have pink-eye, but I went to the doctor just in case. She wasn't sure, but is treating me for pink-eye. I have drops to put in 4 times a day. She also wanted me to take Claritin for a week to see if that helps. This is so strange. My puffy lower eye is touching my glasses!! Okay, I'm off to turn the heel on a sock. Happy knitting!!

2007-10-02T08:37:00.001-05:00

How's this for distraction?......Cute puppy and a contest!

I have to apologize for the lack of knitting content on this "knitting" blog. I'm not sure what happened to my knitting mojo, but it is just not present at the time. I'm still working on the felted slippers and that's it. I may start a sock today since it is October and time for Socktoberfest. Here is a picture of my cute/naughty puppy! I just love this dog. He will be one on October 26 which also happens to be my husband's birthday too. He loves to find Patrick's shoes!! Now, if the shoes were put in their correct spot this would be a difficult task, but since they are usually just left by the back door, it's not too much of a problem. Just as long as someone catches him before the shoes get eaten!!

On Thursday, Oct. 4 it will be my one year blogiversary!! So I am having a contest. All you have to do is comment and tell me a cute pet story. Pretty simple. As you can tell, I love my pets a lot and have many funny stories I can tell about them. Please share some with me. I will give one commenter a skein of Dream in Color Smooshy yarn in the Nightwatch colorway. I can't seem to locate my camera ( think a child "borrowed" it), but I'll put one up asap. Comments will be taken until Sunday, Oct. 7. I'll just put the numbers in a hat and have a kid pick a number. Thanks!!

2007-09-29T10:39:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post..

I really don't have much to say today, but since it has been a week since my last post I thought I'd add a little one today. School is going well for the kids so far. Maggie is having fun playing volleyball for South Middle School. Grant had a good time at the Homecoming dance last week. Patrick is having fun seeing his friends everyday at school, the learning part of his day is not his priority, but he is doing fine. I got one of Tom's felted clog slippers done and am working on the second. Patrick saw the first one and said, "Mom, I think that is a bit big for dad!" After I explained the felting process, it made more sense to him. Okay, that's all. Sorry, this hasn't been the most exciting blog lately, but that's my life right now. Happy knitting!

2007-09-22T19:54:00.000-05:00

MHS Homecoming.....

I just dropped Grant off at his first high school dance. Doesn't he look handsome? Okay, I know I'm his mom, but still....I think he looks great. This was weird for me! The first of many new and exciting experiences with a high school child. I hope he has a good time. He asked a girl to go, but she already had a date. Some of his friends are going with dates, and others are just meeting him there.

I had a nasty cold earlier this week, so I was in bed for two days. I'm feeling a lot better now. I purchased some yummy yarn this week...ready...it is qiviut. It is red and so very soft. I'm going to make a lacy scarf for myself. It was just the right thing after the crazy few weeks I've had.

Today I started some felted clog slippers for Tom. He went to the UW Badger game in Madison with some friends and then they are going to the Packer game in Green Bay tomorrow. I hope to finish them before he gets home tomorrow night. I went to the apple orchard today and I'm going to make apple bars with some of the apples I got. The weather today was just beautiful. I love fall. Also, Desperate Housewives begins tomorrow!! I'm so excited for all my shows to start up again. I'll be watching Grey's on Thursday night.

I forgot to mention that I got my Ravelry invite. I'm having fun exploring. It is a lot to take in. I'm Packerfan in there, so come find me sometime. Well, I'm going to go watch a movie and work on the slippers. Happy knitting!!

2007-09-13T21:18:00.000-05:00

Back to the doctor......

This time with the boys. They both have strep throat!!! Ugh! It's only the second week of school!! Help me!! They were complaining last night of sore throats and I told them to see how they felt this morning before deciding if they should go to school or not. Well, they both woke up and said that their throats hurt quite a bit. I kept them home from school and we went to the doctor this afternoon and now they are both on Amoxicillin. Patrick seems to be doing better than Grant. Grant has been whining all day long. I'm sorry he is sick, but oh my goodness. I don't need to hear the whining for hours and hours. It's not like he is two or three years old!! Yikes!

I have no knitting news at all:( I'm not quite sure where this week has gone, but I haven't done much knitting at all. Hopefully tomorrow the boys will be better and won't need quite so much attention and I can get some knitting time in. I will not be going back to school now or in the future. Tom really doesn't want me to. My job is taking care of the family and that's just the way it is. The time from now and when Patrick graduates from High school will just fly by. I will have to see how I feel in eight years, whether I want to pursue a new career or not.

I hope the sun shines tomorrow, I really don't like cloudy days. I'm going to get into bed and snuggle with the dogs. Happy knitting!

2007-09-09T20:06:00.000-05:00

Interesting news......

One of Maggie's friends is in the hospital with cryptosporidium. She has lost 10 pounds and is very dehydrated. She is in the same hospital that we first went to last Monday. The hospital called us tonight to tell us about this friend and also to say they knew Maggie had some of the same symptoms. Well, let me tell you, I was not very nice and told the woman who called that we were sent home with instructions to take Advil and Imodium. She told me that she wanted us to get a stool culture done. I then told her that we went to Luther Hospital and had better care and the first thing they did was to order the culture. Maggie's tests came back negative, but I called my doctor right after I got off the phone with Sacred Heart, and she told me that sometimes you can get false negatives. It would explain all of Maggie's symptoms and she felt that if they would have listened to me and taken the stool sample right away it may have been positive and, we may have saved a lot of time and money without doing the stupid ultrasound. The doctor can't say for sure that Maggie has/had cryptosporidium or not, but it seems likely. The girls were at the same pool party a week ago on Wednesday. Maggie did a great job of trying to drink a lot of water and Gatorade. That's what saved her from becoming severely dehydrated. So far Maggie hasn't had any diarrhea for 24 hours, so we may be on the up side of all of this. Maggie ate some cereal tonight, so we'll see how that goes. She has lost 5 pounds in the last week. She looks much better today and is happier. I hope she continues to be able to eat more foods and get stronger. She is anxious to get back to school and a normal routine.

One word of advice, if you choose to take it, if you aren't satisfied with a doctor or hospital, don't feel bad about seeking another opinion. I know that people are human and make mistakes, but when it comes to the health of my kids, I have learned to question things. Okay, I'll get off my soap box.

Tom and Grant had fun at the Packer game, but they left before the end of it!! I couldn't believe it when they called me and asked me to DVR the end of the game. Tom's brother wanted to leave so they did. Crazy! I wouldn't have left and Tom said he won't do to that again! I love it when my team wins. I have to admit, it was a boring game though. I wore my socks and they kept my feet nice and warm. I love this crisp fall weather. Well, I'm off to spend some time with my Chevron scarf and watch football with Tom. Happy knitting!!

2007-09-08T09:55:00.001-05:00

What a difference a good night's sleep makes. I'm feeling less overwhelmed today. I know that the doctor's will figure out what is wrong with Maggie and she will start to feel better soon.
This first picture is of the boy's clothes that were laid out in the bathroom the other night. They have been trying to get prepared the night before school, so the mornings go a bit smoother for us all. I saw the post-it note on Grant's clothes and it touched me so much I just had to take pictures.

This is what Patrick had written for his big brother....
I thought that was so sweet. They fight like cats and dogs, and then it find something like this. After I took the picture, I went upstairs to bed and they were sleeping in Grant's bed. Crazy! If I made them share a room they would hate it. I'm glad for the good moments, it helps get through the rough ones.
This picture was taken on Wednesday, Patrick's first day of school. I'm happy to report that Grant is feeling much better about high school and enjoys the freedom of going off campus for lunch. I'm sure that when the snow starts to fly and the temperature drops it won't be as much fun, but for now if this helps him get through his day, then I'm fine with it.
Finally, my Packer socks/anklets. They are done just in time for the first game tomorrow. Tom and Grant will be going to GB for the game. I will be home with the other two. Maggie was suppose to start her fall softball season tomorrow, but under the circumstances she won't be. I'm hoping that she will be able to go to school on Monday for at least part of the day.

I requested her homework yesterday, and when I stopped in after school, there wasn't any! How can that be? She has missed the first week of school. I know her friends have had work, because I've talked to some parents. I'm a bit upset about them not getting me her work. I don't want her to get farther behind than she already is. She wants to get caught up too. I just don't understand when you have a parent and student willing to try to keep up and contact the school, why the teacher's couldn't follow through. Please don't send me any comments on how hard teacher's work. I know that, I used to be a teacher. My only thing is, is that if they have assigned homework for the whole class, how hard would it be to let the counselor's office know what those assignments were?

Well, I'm going to relax today and knit. The weather is beautiful, so I may even sit outside. (If the mosquitoes don't get me) Have a great weekend! Happy knitting!

2007-09-07T16:06:00.000-05:00

Well, Maggie went to school yesterday for a few hours then came home to rest. She had another CT scan today, and we haven't heard anything. They took lots of blood to test yesterday, and we have some results that were normal, but no answers to explain her pain or bowel distress. I'm frustrated and worried about her. Today after the CT scan I had her come home and try to eat something. She had an English muffin and so far she is doing okay. She took a long nap and the pain is better. The doctor may want us to go to Mayo Clinic in Rochester to see a pediatric GI specialist. I'm waiting to hear from the clinic. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

My Packer socks are finished, but I haven't taken the time to take a picture. I'm currently working on finishing up my crocheted sweater and have been working on a Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I may post again later tonight or tomorrow. I just need to go take a nap and recharge. Happy knitting.

2007-09-04T21:52:00.000-05:00

Emergency Room Knitting....

Last night Maggie and I spent six hours in the ER. She has been having stomach issues since Saturday. After my post yesterday, she told me that her right side hurt more than anything in her life. We went to the ER where they proceeded to do an ultrasound to check for a cyst on her ovary. That was negative, so they had her drink this large glass of something so they could do a CAT scan. Her appendix looked okay, so they sent us home with instructions for taking Ibuprophin for pain. Well, this morning she woke up with the dry heaves and much more pain. I called another dr. who told us to go back to the ER. This time we chose another hospital in town, and I was very pleased. They gave her an IV with pain medication and something for her nausea. They ordered the tests from the other hospital, checked them out, and told us they did not think it was a burst cyst, but a nasty GI disorder. They are doing a culture for some parasites, and I would list them here, but my mind isn't working the best after only four hours of sleep. Maggie is taking Vicodin for the pain and some other thing for the nausea and seems to be resting comfortably now. It was awful seeing her in that much pain. She told me that she is going to adopt a child from Jamaica, because she can't imagine being in pain for many hours during labor. Isn't that cute? I bet she will change her mind in about 15 years.

My day of sipping tea and relaxing didn't happen. Oh well, that's life. I did get a lot of knitting done, but haven't taken pictures yet. Grant hated school today. He couldn't find the right bus after school, so walked to his dad's office. I didn't know he was going to do that, and freaked out when he didn't get off the bus. A friend called me to tell me she saw him walking down a street near the high school. I got in the car and drove around looking for him. I didn't see him, so I went to Tom's office and there he was. I was relieved and mad at the same time. He said to me,"I just remembered that I should have called you!" He was in tears tonight because he said that none of his friends from middle school are in his classes, and he doesn't know anyone. I tried to assure him that a lot of the freshman are feeling much the same way, but that didn't help. I agreed to pick him up tomorrow and figure out something about the bus situation in a few days. I know that he has a difficult time making friends, but I can't change his classes. He is in classes that are appropriate for his level, and that is just the way it is. We'll just have to take it one day at a time. Okay, I need to get some sleep. Hopefully I will have pictures tomorrow. Happy knitting.

2007-09-03T17:50:00.000-05:00

Reflection.....

Most people reflect on the year at the beginning, in January. Well, I found myself doing this today. Last Labor Day I was in a lot of pain due to my back and I remember spending time reading knitting blogs. It was a wonderful way to spend my day. I was excited for the kids to start school, but was a bit sad because I knew I would miss them. Today, I read some blogs, worked on cleaning up my desk, did some paper crafting, listened to podcasts, knit, and did some laundry. I am not sad about the kids starting school. I really need a break from the fighting and constant mess in the kitchen. My back isn't really any better, I'm just getting used to the discomfort. I stopped working out regularly about a year ago because of my back issues, and now find myself heavier than I'd like to be. I love to eat and don't always want to make the best choices. Well, it is time to get serious again. I must start to write down everything I eat and exercise. With the start of a new school year I don't have the excuse of being home with the kids.

I find myself in awe that I have one of my kid's starting High School. I hope he has a good time during his years at Memorial. Can it really be 20+ years since I walked into my high school as a freshman? What a day that was. I know that I'll blink and the next four years will be history and he'll be going to college.

Maggie is excited about 8th grade(well the social part anyway). She will be playing fall softball as well as volleyball. I think that 8th grade was one of my favorites of all my years in school. She is growing up so fast and is becoming a beautiful young woman.

Patrick is entering his last year of elementary school. It seems like yesterday when I was taking him to kindergarten. I remember on the way to school him asking me, "Mom, who will you have tea with now?" It was so bittersweet. I find myself looking forward to a peaceful cup of tea on Wednesday morning when they are all in school.

The Packer socks are almost done, so I may have a picture on Wednesday. I forgot to mention in my post about the Fair, that Shelly gave me two skeins of her dyed yarn. They are beautiful! Thanks, Shelly. Well, I'm off to have dinner with my family and work on the socks. Happy knitting!

2007-08-31T12:26:00.001-05:00

Minnesota State Fair
This is Shelly and me in the Miracle of Life Building. We actually were there moments after a ewe had given birth to triplets. Amazing.

It was wonderful getting to meet Shelly and her family in person. She is a very sweet and kind woman and I am so glad we were able to work out a time to connect. When we went to the building to see the knitting I was blown away by the blue ribbon winners. The fair isle sweater that I saw was beautiful. The crocheted baby sweater was beautiful as well. We have some very talented knitters in our midst.

Shelly and I had some yummy fair food and that's all I will say about that. :) It would be fun if this could be an annual event. I'm thankful that her hubby was able to leave work a bit earlier than usual and was willing to care for Julie and Sophie for the evening. By the way, the girls are so darn cute. If you read Shelly's blog, then you have seen their pictures. Believe me they are even cuter in person. Thanks, Shelly, for the wonderful time.

Tonight we are going to one of the neighbor's houses for cocktails to jump start the holiday weekend. I don't think we have anything else planned, so I am looking forward to getting some quality knitting time in. Hopefully Tom will take the boys to do something fun for the afternoon tomorrow or Sunday. They have been a challenge this week. In my opinion, summer has been two weeks too long. I see no reason why they can't start school before Labor day. When I taught in Albuquerque, we started around the second week of August and were done the end of May. It seemed to work out just fine. Okay, rant over.

I hope you all have a great long weekend and happy knitting!

2007-08-27T23:57:00.000-05:00

Where has the time gone? It has been awhile since my last post. I didn't finish my sweater in time for the class reunion, but that's okay. I just have the sleeves to do. I got a bit mixed up and couldn't figure out how to finish the sleeves and didn't have time to run down to YDK
to get help. Cindi is on vacation this week, so I'll catch up with her next week and finish it.

I get to meet Shelly aka The Heathen Housewife.
I am going to the Minnesota State Fair with her on Wednesday. I can't wait to see her in person. We talked on the phone tonight and she is wonderful. It will be nice to check out the wonderful knitted items that have been entered at the Fair. We plan on eating our way through the evening. I will get to meet her beautiful girls too. I can't wait.

The class reunion was so much fun. I got to see many of my old friends and we had a blast recalling the crazy things we all did together in high school. I think that in these past five years, some of the guys changed the most. There were some there that I had to ask if they were spouses or classmates. It was weird. I saw one of my dearest guy friends whom I hadn't seen in 10 years. I got all teary eyed when I hugged him. We had some great times during high school as well as college. I'm glad I went. I was hesitant to go because I wanted to be thinner, but it didn't matter once I got there and saw everyone. We all have changed, it is to be expected after 25 years right?

Maggie and I went to the Nanny Diaries tonight. It was pretty good. I have decided that when a book is turned into a movie, I shouldn't expect too much. I really liked the book better, but we still enjoyed it. Okay, so off to bed for me. I'll post pictures tomorrow of the Packer sock and my class reunion. Happy knitting.

2007-08-18T23:43:00.001-05:00

I survived!!

The birthday party is over. The rain just kept going all day but the girls did end up going swimming and they all seemed to enjoy themselves. Thank goodness for heated pools. Some of them decided to have a food fight in the basement. I was not happy at all about that. Maggie and two of her friend's picked it up and all is okay now. I didn't expect that from 13 year old girls. The tie-dyeing went very well and my kitchen survived.(we couldn't go outside because of the rain.) It is a lot to do with 23 kids but it was fun and they were all happy when they went home. Maggie decided it is easier to go to parties than host them. I'm glad, so I'm off the hook for anymore parties. Next year a few friends and that's it.

I'm exhausted so I am going to bed.

2007-08-18T10:28:00.001-05:00

PANIC

Okay, so I am in panic mode right now. What was I thinking? Physics and Chemistry?! I am really starting to doubt my brain power. I need to take a deep breath and calm down. I think it is the fear of failing and looking bad in my kids eyes. For all these years I've been helping them with their school work and encouraging them, telling them they can do anything they put their minds to. Now I guess I need to "practice what I preach." I'm a scatter brain....there I put it out there. I am doubting my ability to retain information and then put it into practice. Heck, I go to the grocery store with a list and it still seems like I forget a key ingredient for a recipe. I just need to calm down and take each day as it comes. I'm sure everything will be fine.

It is currently 60 degress outside and raining! What a day for a pool party. It figures. Oh well, we can still have pizza and watch movies. Tye-dyeing the shirts may have to wait for another time. I'm off to get the munchies and pop. Have a good day.

2007-08-17T09:46:00.000-05:00

I'm a student....

Well, what does a stressed out mother of three do to relieve stress? She registers for two classes!! Yesterday I registered for Physics and Chemistry. For those of you who haven't known me for very long, this is a strange and scary thing for me to do. I wasn't very fond of science and math in high school. Well, since I want to go into the Ultrasound program, I need these two classes to get started. I figure if I can't handle these classes, then maybe I shouldn't waste anymore time and money to continue with the program. I am confident that I can do this and I really need to for my self-esteem. Being a stay-at-home mom for the past 14 1/2 years has been wonderful but very trying at times. I am not a therapist or doctor and I just can't fix the issues that Grant has. It has been hard to admit that but it is true. He has a developmental disorder and nothing I can do will change that. I'm currently looking for another therapist for him and have to hope that someone will be able to get through to him.

The boys are off to Milwaukee today for a Brewer's game. Maggie is having her birthday party tomorrow night. We are expecting 20 girls:) The plans are for swimming, pizza, and tye-dying shirts. It will be a lot of fun. Maggie has really nice friends and it am actually looking forward to spending time with these girls. Tonight she is going to watch High School Musical 2 with some friends. I will have the house to myself for a few hours. I plan on working on my sweater and cuddling with the pets.

Have a good weekend and happy knitting!

2007-08-16T10:17:00.000-05:00

Well, Patrick is doing better. I had to change the bandages and clean the burn last night. Notice the pink wrap. Maggie had this for her knee injury, so it was what we used. Thank goodness for 3/4 length sleeves. :) It was harder for me than him. As I was washing the area with soap and gauze, I kept asking him if I was hurting him. He was so good and told me, "I'm fine, Mom." We got it all cleaned up and put new bandages on. I am so thankful that most of the water landed on the counter top and not on him. This is so difficult to deal with. My own child doing this horrible thing to his own brother. I need to comfort the one and want to strangle the other!! I woke up yesterday and couldn't turn my head at all to the right. Went to see my chiropractor and got some eletric stim on the area and a nice adjustment. I go back today and tomorrow for more of the same. I can move my head now without too much pain. It is amazing how stress affects your body. I couldn't even knit yesterday. I am going to go now and try to work on a sock. Happy knitting.

2007-08-14T21:00:00.000-05:00

Sadness.....

I just found out that one of our pastor's is leaving to go to another church. Pastor Mary is more than a pastor, she is a friend. I am going to miss her so much. She taught knitting classes at our church and was instrumental in forming our Purly Gates knitting group at church. She will be a wonderful addition to her new church.

In other news, my oldest threw boiling water at my youngest and we had to take him to the ER. He has 2nd degree burns on his right upper arm. Patrick didn't do anything to provoke Grant to do this, I just don't know what to do with that kid!

I'm exhausted and going to bed. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

2007-08-13T15:21:00.001-05:00

Warning....Picture Heavy Post....
Here is a picture of Maggie holding Bruce, last Monday at the hospital. Hopefully we will get up to New Richmond sometime this week to see him again.

This is a picture of the sweater I am crocheting. I hope to have it done in time for my 25th class reunion on August 25.

Here is a picture of my Packer sock in progress from the yarn that Shelly dyed for me.

This picture is of the yarn that I got from Scout. I really love the skein she dyed for me to match Gracie. She is calling the colorway, Kitty. The other skein is for more Packer socks. I know, I am a bit obsessed with my football team, but I can't help it. I love 'em!

We have Patrick's party tonight for his All-Star team. Pizza and pop at the ball field. How fun is that? I don't have to cook so it is a wonderful night for me. Today has been a crazy day running errands so I am looking forward to the party and some down time. I am planning on trying to clean out the basement and organize my scrapbooking supplies and get my yarn stash photographed. I am hoping that my invitation to Ravelry
will be arriving sometime in the next week or two. Okay, I'm off to change some laundry around and get some crocheting done.

2007-08-11T22:43:00.000-05:00

I will try and post pictures tomorrow. Where does the time go? Okay, I now have two new family members. My niece had her baby boy, Bruce, last Sunday morning. Tom's nephew and his wife had their baby boy, Brecken, on Thursday morning. Both babies and mom's are doing great. I love newborns!! They are so sweet and smell so good. I haven't seen Brecken in person yet, but hope to this week. He looks adorable in the pictures though. The kids and I went to see Bruce on Monday. He is adorable too.

I am plugging away at my crocheted sweater. I have started a Packer sock and am almost ready for the heel.

I am going to bed now. I am frustrated with my boys and I just need to get a good nights sleep. Why can't they follow our rules? I am going to have to hire a babysitter for my 14 1/2 year old!!! We went to a surprise party for Tom's sister and they left the house without permission. We have told them they are to stay in the house when we are gone, but they don't seem to listen. The bikes will be hung up in the garage for the time being. After an unfortunate text message to our nephew's neighbor last week, we've taken away Grant's cell phone. His behavior is terrible so the t.v. and computer are gone and now the bike. Do you think he'll figure out that we are the parent's and our rules matter? Time will tell.

2007-08-03T13:18:00.001-05:00

FRIENDS AND FIBER

This is the birthday girl, Chris. Isn't she beautiful? I'd say she is 50 and fabulous!

Here are the girls from Yellow Dog Knitting with us at dinner. Left to right: Jaci, Sonya, Chris, Cindi, and Dixie. We all had a good time eating and laughing.

Now for the fiber goodness of the post. Shelly
dyed this Packer yarn for me. I also have some coming from Scout.
I have a lot of fans that could use a nice pair of socks this fall. Knowing myself, I'll want to keep them all for me. I think the skein on the right matches my crocs perfectly. I have a sweater that the skein on the left matches with. Aren't they wonderful? I know if you are a Minnesota fan or a Chicago fan, these are not so wonderful, but for me it is pure bliss to look at them!

My heart goes out to all those involved in the horrible bridge collapse in Minneapolis. I have a lot of friends and family who frequently cross that bridge on a daily basis. What a terrible thing to have happen. It just makes me wonder why things like this happen.

Patrick has a ball tournament this weekend and I go pick up Maggie from camp tomorrow morning. I can't wait to see her. It's been a long week for me, but with the weekend coming up, Tom will be around more to help with the boys.

I'm working away at the crocheted sweater and enjoying it. Packer socks are coming along, so hope to have some good pictures to share in a few days. Happy Knitting!

2007-08-02T11:06:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday, Chris!!

Today is my best friend's 50th birthday!! I wish I could spend the whole day with her, but it's not in the cards. The boys have been a handful this week. I don't intend for this blog to be a place to whine about my kids, but man this has probably been one of the hardest weeks of parenting for me. I know we have spoiled the boys, so we are going to step back and re-evaluate things. For now they will not have tv's in their rooms any more. I know it was a mistake to begin with, and now we are taking care of that. I will not be buying anymore junk food, no matter how much they bug me. It just makes the behavior worse. Okay, ranting done.

I am taking them with me down to YDK
to help Chris pick out some yarn to make a sweater. They can just sit and be quite while I do this. How is that for punishment for three boys, ages 14, 11, and 10?

Pictures will follow later today. The girls from the Yellow Dog and I took Chris out for dinner on Tuesday to celebrate. It was very fun and we had a lot of laughter.

2007-07-29T22:38:00.001-05:00

Crochet

The crocheting is coming along pretty well. I am enjoy the process and I like how the sweater will look.

I'm trying to distract myself because hubby let the boys go out to star gaze and I am a bit nervous. We live in a nicely wooded area with a meadow near by, but it gets very dark at night. I like having everyone in the house by this time of night. Our nephew is staying with us for a week, and I'm not sure how his mom would feel about him being out this late. They have another 19 minutes to be out there. I'm sure they are fine, I'm just a worry wart.

I took Miss Maggie to camp this afternoon. She was so excited. She is in a cabin with a lot of her friends, and some more friends are in a cabin about 20 steps away. I was remembering back to when she went to camp 5 years ago and how I cried so much when I dropped her off. It was the fear of the unknown for me. I hadn't ever been to this camp and she was so little. It was strange dropping her off in the care of two counselors that I hadn't met before. She had a great time and has kept going back. I remember that I slept in her room two of the nights she was gone!! I missed her so much that it hurt. I will still miss her this week while she is gone, but I won't sleep in her room and it doesn't hurt that much anymore. I guess this is all in the process of letting my child grow up and away. She informed me that when she is 16 she wants to be a counselor at this camp. Wow, she would be gone all summer. That will be hard, but a good learning experience for me. She will go to college someday and be gone for a lot longer. Why is it so painful to let your kids grow up?

2007-07-26T10:35:00.000-05:00

Finished Baby Sweater

.....made from Blue Sky Cotton, Blue Sky Alpacas. Pattern is from the book Oneskein by Leigh Radford. This knit up very fast, just the seaming took me awhile. The baby is due two weeks, so any day now we could get a picture of him in his sweater.

I may have another picture to show you tomorrow. I am going to try to crochet a sweater. I'm going down to YDK
to have Cindi help me. Happy knitting!!

2007-07-25T08:24:00.001-05:00

Jon Bon Jovi
Richie Sambora
Mr. Bon Jovi again!
A few pictures for you...enjoy. Off to take Maggie to VBS and Gracie to the cities. Happy Knitting!!

just got home from the U of MN with Gracie. The fluid is building up in her lungs again, despite being on medication. We probably have two weeks with her. I'm very sad.

P.S. the vet just called with her blood work results. Her kidneys look great. She told us to up the dose of her Furosemide and that will hopefully get the fluid to go away. Keep your fingers crossed, Gracie isn't ready to go yet. She is still fighting...maybe we can get a few more months.

2007-07-24T15:03:00.000-05:00

I'M DONE!!

With the last Harry Potter book. I won't put anything on here to spoil it for anyone. Just read it!
I stayed up too late this morning (2:45) trying to finish it. I fell asleep and had to finish it later this morning.

I haven't knit for almost a week. That's what happens when you go to Country Jam for three days, a baseball tournament, and read a new book. I have to clean the house before Tom's brother and nephew get here on Saturday for a family wedding. Tomorrow I take Gracie back to the U of MN for a check up. I think they will do x-rays and another echo. She seems to be doing fine, so hopefully the tests will confirm that for me. I am too tired today to knit, so I guess some of the cleaning will get done. Have I told you all that I hate to clean? Yeah, I thought so. Oh well, that's part of the job. Have a good day. Happy knitting!

2007-07-22T20:40:00.000-05:00

COUNTRY JAM!!

Wow, Maggie and I had a great time!! Lots of good music and fun. I can't believe I actually saw Jon Bon Jovi!!!! It was simply AMAZING! I know it is like screaming when you capitalize all the letters in a word, but I don't care! That was my intent. Reba was wonderful and she had Kelly Clarkson with her. Montgomery Gentry fantastic as well as our favorite, Trace Atkins. I bid on a signed guitar from him and we got it. It now has a new home in Maggie's room. I told her that if I find that on the floor in a messy room, it will become mine. We'll see how long the room stays clean. I'm guessing a few days.

Patrick's team took second in the baseball tournament. He did very well again.

I am so tired, so I am off to bed to read more of my new Harry Potter book and get a good night of sleep. Happy knitting!!

2007-07-18T17:53:00.000-05:00

Okay, I was going to post pictures, but the kids used my camera and the battery needs charging! Ugh!

I am working on my June pattern from the Rockin' Sock Club.
Instead of using the yarn that came with it, I am using Crystal Palace Panda Cotton in the Caribean Blue color way. I love the yarn that came with my pattern, but the pattern is a bit busy and I wanted the work to show up. I will probably use the STR yarn for just a basic stockingnet stitch sock.

I am thinking of signing up for the Master's Knitter program. Anyone out there done it? Do you recommend doing it? Cindi at YDK has done it so I know she will be a help if I decide to go for it.

I won't be posting for a few days because Country Jam starts tomorrow. I will be going with Tom tomorrow and then Maggie and I will go on Friday and Saturday. Bon Jovi will be the headliners on Saturday night!! I can't wait. It is weird that my daughter loves this band as much as I do. I'll have lots of pictures on Monday.

Have a great weekend all and Happy Knitting!!