Gustav is Coming

Batten down the hatches, Gustav may- or may not- be heading this way. Hurricane season in Houston, gotta love it. Since Katrina and Rita three years ago, every time a hurricane heads into the Gulf of Mexico, people panic. So far, it's like the little boy who cried "Wolf!" One of these days, the real thing is going to happen, and no one is going to believe it, and we'll all be blown away. So, tonight, in preparation, I am going to pack bags for the kids and me, sort out some crafts to take, and then sleep through all the doom and gloom the forecasters are predicting.

As for knitting, ain't none of that going on right now. I've been busy crocheting and sewing. And, I taught a beading class today. Life's kinda dull right now.

In Which G-d Says "Ha!"

Yesterday was totally planned- massage, Volunteer, lunch with a friend. Apparently, some cosmic force decided that I did not really need my massage, but a flat tire instead. Yup, had to skip the massage to get my tire fixed. Thankfully, it was still under warranty and all I had to pay for was labor. Somebody up there is getting their jollies over this. I did manage to make it to my volunteering stint and lunch with my friend. Lunch was a 2 margarita affair, so I felt better. "The best laid plans of mice and men..."

I finally scored some glow-in-the-dark yarn, too. I have been jonesing for this since I heard about it. I bought 3 skeins of each color, and need to decide what I am going to do with it. I know I am going to crochet a skull and crossbones for a doggy sweater for Sparticus for Halloween. The purple and pink will be made into something for my DD. The rest is mine. I'll find something to do with it.

As for today, barring any unforeseen problems, I plan to do some more volunteering at a local HS.

The Sound of Silence

Yup, the kiddos started school today. Here's what I did to celebrate:
1. Took a long, hot, uninterrupted shower.
2. Volunteered at the school and helped the Kindergartners get through the lunch line.
3. Tried, but failed, to secure any skein of glow-in-the-dark yarn.
4. Got the wrong size ribbon for a pair of booties I made.
5. Picked up a few quilting magazines and a new book.
6. Had a margarita at lunch, and no, this was not the cause of the wrong ribbon.
7. Tried to nap but got interrupted by my DH calling to see if I was OK (Yes, dear, just sleeping off a margarita).
8. Crocheted 2 Koala heads for an afghan for a friend's baby- due in Nov., so I have time. 6 more heads to go.
9. Let the dog out.
10. Let the dog in.
11. Let the dog out.
12. Let the dog in.
Repeated 11 & 12 several more times. He was looking for the kiddos.
13. Waited at the bus stop for DD to get home. Was there an hour in the sweltering TX heat.
14. And since it was the first day of school, DH took us all out for dinner. It's a family tradition.

And what do I have for tomorrow?
1. A 1 1/2 hour massage.
2. Repeat #2 above.
3. Lunch with a friend- without kids.

10 More Days

But who's counting?? Today started the official back-to-school frenzy in our house. DS and I went up to his Middle School and jumped through administrative hoops. We got his schedule, locker number and combo, PE clothes that I will rarely see and have to wear a hazmat suit to wash, books, supplies and everything else. School supplies from the school- $35. Keeping my sanity by not having to hunt down a yellow spiral- priceless. Last year, I could not find a yellow spiral to save my life. And, all the local office supply and discount stores had the lists from the neighboring schools, but did they have all the supplies on the list? (If you answered "No," you were right, and you've been school shopping)

So, DS and I got there early, and what do I do while we are waiting in the hall until the "official" start time? Crocheting. Yeah, Yeah, it says knit up there, but I am bicraftual. I've been crocheting longer than I have been knitting. I have set a semi-Herculean task for my self. I want to make 12 crocheted teacups with saucers and 12 furry boas for DD's upcoming birthday. Why? I have to regain my title as best party mom. It was taken away from me by DD's best friend's mom. She had costumes that the kids got to keep (not handmade, mind you). So, I am hoping to top that. I plan to fill the teacups with chocolate kisses or something sweet, too. Still planning this darn thing. But I think the girls will like the teacups. I've made knitted candies for DD before, and she loves them. She has an American Girl Doll that she has tea partied with and uses the candies. But DD appreciates my handmade stuff.

Anyway... 10 more days 'til school starts, 10 more days 'til school starts!! I've already got my first week planned and it includes a massage- bliss- and lots of naps, and maybe some alcohol.
There is a margarita calling my name

Look...An Avatar

Wow, I've gone semi-high-tech. I made an avatar. And, I'm knitting in the darn thing. Can you believe it?? And the pirate ship- my homage to my favorite movie, "Pirates of the Carribean." Gotta love Johnny Depp in pirate gear, swaggering around and acting goofy.

12 days to go until school starts. I had to threaten the kids with a yarn crawl. Basically it's a yarn shop tour and there are several yarn shops in Houston. It would have been a looooong day for them. As for knitting- I have a severe case of knitting ADD. I keep starting projects, and then finding another and another and another and starting those, too. So, no progress of any kind, and several projects languishing on the needles. I am glad I didn't sign up for any Olympic knitting!!

Eduard, not Eduardo

Ooops, got the name wrong of the latest Tropical storm. I was close, though. He passed us with a whimper. We've had some rain, which we needed, but the house is still intact and we don't need a new roof.

I did finish our babysitter's socks though while it rained. I don't think I'll be knitting anything black or red for awhile, though. Maybe I should move to pink to break the monotony.

took the kiddos to the dentist today. DS, who rarely brushes his teeth unless one of us parental units is screaming at him, had no cavities. DD, who brushes every am and pm, had 4. Sigh... she's learning early that life is not fair. We go back tomorrow for the fillings and such. For any other person, this would be a wasted morning, but I've got knitting to do, so I'll be fine. And so will DD.

Hurricane Eduardo...

or is he still a tropical storm?? The good people of Houston are in a panic over him. My neighbor told me that people were buying gas by the large plastic container, and DH said several gas stations he passed on the way home were out of gas. Good thing I filled up on Friday. My little Prius is gassed and ready to head to Waco, if need be. 4 gallons for the trip is all it takes. And my mom will have a bed or three waiting for us. But what kind of knitting does one take if one decides to flee impending doom???

OK, I really don't scare easily. We waited out Rita, and she turned east. But I did have a plan. If I got up Friday morning and they were still predicting Houston to be hit by Rita, the kids and I would head to mom's. I wasn't about to get on the highway any earlier because they were parking lots, and it was hot. Same thing now. And Eddy may decide to calm down and remain a tropical storm. Lots of rain and nothing else.

So, what does one bring if one decides to flee? The dorm sock for the babysitter (one's already made). A pair of mittens and a hat for her, too. And, a bag of kitchen cotton to make 12 crocheted teacups for DD's birthday tea party in September. And then there's the booby sock on the needles... I've got tons of UFO's that I can throw in the car, but I have to remember to leave room for the kids' luggage this time!!!