Penguin knits

All Quiet on the Home Front

2010-03-07T17:00:00.000-08:00

So far this year, I have really done well with at least one resolution- to work down the fabric stash. I've been making pillowcases for the Better Homes and Gardens Million Pillowcase Challenge. The pillowcases are donated to local charities with ours going to the Shriners Hospitals in houston and Galveston. So far, I've made 60 of them. That's 60 yards of fabric that are no longer in my house!!

I haven't been knitting too much this year since I've been sewing so much. But, I am starting a cardigan for next year when teen goes off to high school and I will be sitting in the football stands waiting for the half-time show. Teen is going to be in the marching band.

The princess is doing fine. We went shopping today and had fun. She is definately spoiled.

Other than that, life is just rolling along. February was drama-free and I am hoping it stays that way a little longer.

The Plague, pt. 2

2010-01-27T05:42:00.000-08:00

So, it turned out that by Friday, my cold had turned into pneumonia and I was hospitalized overnight. Massive doses of antibiotics and breathing treatments every 4 hours made for a very long night. Thankfully, I got to go home Saturday and hubby made me rest on bed all day Sunday while he took care of the kids.

But then Monday came... Talk about a disaster. Surly teen was supposed to help out by watching his sister so I could rest and recover. He didn't, so I had to get up and do all the mommy things. After getting DD settled and sending her back to the electronic babysitter, aka the TV, I was heading back to bed when the phone rang. It was my mom and she said, "I think (your brother) is dead." After asking all the usual questions- called hospital (no), the police (yes- but no accidents reported), the GF (yes, but got voicemail)- I asked for the GF's number and tried to call her. I left her a message asking her to please call us and let us know, then I proceeded to call the 2 hospitals in Waco. First one called confirmed my mom's fears. My borther had been hit by a car the previous evening and had died from massive head trauma. So, hubby comes home from work, we leave the kids with a neighbor and head to Waco to help out mom. We got home early Thursday afternoon.

Basically- brother was drunk and walking down the middle of a 7 lane busy street in Waco. He was in what they term the suicide lane- the center left turn lane without a median. A 21 yo girl was in that lane, and started to speed up and move over to her right. She, sadly, hit my brother. He was wearing dark clothes and the area was poorly lit. The poor girl didn't see him. ANd despite the fact that she accidentally killed my brother, I am not mad at her. I am mad at him for getting drunk and getting hit and causing this poor child a lifetime of guilt.

The Plague

2010-01-13T13:12:00.000-08:00

And, no it's not Swine Flu. I just feel like I have the plague. It's an every day cold, but it feels so much worse. My ears are stuffed, my nose is running like a faucet, and I think it backed up into my eyes because they are watery. I hate being sick. I'd rather go through labor without drugs than be sick.

I Survived December- Barely

2010-01-01T15:45:00.000-08:00

And I managed not to have a rant this year! It must be the recession that kept everyone home or at least acting civilized. And, no, I did not brave any store on Black Friday.

So, to start the New Year off right, here are some things I am thankful for, and some things I hope to accomplish this year:

1. I am thankful that my whole family is healthy and has, so far, avoided any serious cold or flu. We did have Strep right before Christmas. Mine was the worst, and I needed a steroid shot to reduce the swelling in my throat. We all recovered and nobody was hospitalized.

2. My family is wonderful and loving and I appreciate my kids every time we go some place and there is some screaming kid ruining it for everybody else. They were never the screaming type, but I was also the mom who removed them if they couldn't behave, not just sit there oblivious to all the angry stares.

3. Despite everything I have said or thought in the past, I do have some truly awesome in-laws. MIL surprised me with not one, but two skeins of Quiviut from Alaska. At over $100 for a small skein, it was... it has left me speechless. She also found a wine glass that I had been looking for, too. It was one of those painted ones. I had been unsuccessfully searching for the Hannukah one and what do I get for Christmas from her? The Hannukah one!!

4. My mom seems to be healing, finally. She's had some trouble, but I think the New Year is already starting to look up for her. She will be 80 this year and is in surprisingly good health for someone her age.

5. Resolution- to try to work down both the fabric and yarn stashes before I but anything new. Or at least to check the stashes before I buy anything new!

6. Resolution- to try to loose some weight. Problem is, every time I loose it, it finds me again and brings along a few extra "friends" for laughs.

7. Resolution- to try to be a better mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, etc.

Gonna try to take it easy on the resolutions as I don't want to set myself up for too much failure. So, there it is. Happy New Year to all one of my readers!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

So a big Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers- all one of you. If there are more, please leave a comment so I know you are out there!!

Anyway, today is the day we stuff ourselves with tons of food and then sit groaning on the couch arguing over who is going to fetch the remote from the coffee table so we can turn off the football and turn on something more interesting. Not big football fans around here. I did make an apple pie, and hubby picks up the pre-made turkey at 2, so, all is quiet.

As for tomorrow, you will find me cringing behind the couch and hoping no one gets killed this year in the mad Black Friday dash to supposedly save a few bucks. Remember folks, if they have 10 of the item and you are number 11, you might as well get something else!! ANd if you are wondering- my Hannukah shopping is complete, and all I have to do is wrap the gifts.

GiggleSnort

2009-11-15T07:56:00.000-08:00

I am on Facebook and I really enjoy it. I have reconnected with some old classmates and am able to keep up with friends in other states. It's fun. They also have some great Fan Groups- Gecko Rouge, Cypress Station Grill, Neil Diamond and God Wants You to Know...

I was perusing the last site and looking at the photo people have submitted, elsewhere on-line, of things where they have seen images of different religious figures. One of them posted was supposed to represent Jesus, head slightly bent, hands palms-up, in that supplicant gesture. It was a pic of a dog's arse. Seriously. It gets worse- it totally looks like my dog's arse! I will spare you the pic, but still, who is taking pics of my dog's butt and posting them on the Internet as pics of the image of Jesus? For the record, our dog is Jewish, we've had him circumcised (read neutered)!!

Fun Stuff and a Rant

2009-11-13T05:57:00.000-08:00

Well, I think I am addicted. My baby girl is a Brownie and I am their fearless leader. I am enjoying it, and baby girl thinks I am doing a terrific job. And soon it will Girl Scout cookie time! Who doesn't love Thin Mints???

Working through my projects and getting things done. No new ones added- yet! ALthough, I did see this really nice needle case...

Now for the rant. It's a little one, I promise. Why do uncouth people leave dirty diapers in the middle of the parking lot? It is so tacky and so unsanitary. The car next to mine, a Mercedes, had run over it, too. I do have kids, who are , thankfully, fully potty trained. But, when they were in diapers, I always carried small trash bags to dispose of their diapers. And, I always threw out the diaper in the nearest trash can. Although, there was this one time when I had to change my son's nappy on a plane- in the seat, no less. After being yelled at by the super effeminate male flight attendant, who called all his fellow colleagues over when I wouldn't sit down immediately, I handed him the trash bag with the diaper in it. His colleagues, all women, had a great laugh.

Countdown to the Holidays

2009-11-12T05:02:00.000-08:00

It seems like my crafting-for-the-holidays list is getting longer. This happens every year. I find some great projects that I want to do and keep adding them to my list because the project would be great for __________. But, I have a plan, maybe.

I have made up project sheets for all the gifts I want to make. As each one is finished, cast off, etc., I check them off my list. I am also carrying a large tote with all my knitting projects in them. It goes everywhere with me- the bus stop, restaurants, doctor's offices (including the orthodontist) and anyplace else that I know I am going to have a long wait (Houston traffic). I need to make over 40 fishie washcloths and every time one is cast off, another is immediately cast on. Is it any wonder that I have the pattern memorized???

As for my sewing, when baby girl is in her sewing class, I have my sewing projects with me and work on them in a different classroom. I have cut out the pockets for the Brownie totes I want to make for my Brownie troop and I had enough fabric leftover to make tissue holders for all of them! I finished several crayon rolls and just need to sew the totes to go with those.

It may be coming together, but I may also be the one babysitting all the kids on Christmas Eve while the others go to Midnight Mass and finishing up my projects! Good thing I am Jewish and have no desire to go to church at midnight! Anybody know a good Chinese take-out in Springfield, Ill. that will be open on Christmas???

Once Again...

2009-11-01T05:20:00.000-08:00

Evangelical Christians have gone too far. My baby girl- age 8- got a "treat" in her Halloween bag that was a blatant proselytizing tool. I think of it as more of a trick, though, to make children feel guilty. My daughter is a good girl and doesn't need to be told she is going to hell on a day that once meant fun and candy.

Yes, I do realize Halloween has pagan roots, but so does Christmas. And as for resurrection, many polytheistic religions that were practiced in the time of Jesus had a resurrection story. Osiris, an Egyptian god, is killed by a jealous brother and then brought back to life by his wife Isis- twice!! And while we are at it, the "Virgin birth?" Really? The Greeks and the Romans had their stories long before Mary, who grew up hearing them! Zeus became a bull, swan, a woman's husband, a golden rain shower and other things to lie with and even impregnate lovely young women!

Tell you what, if we decide to go pagan and have a bonfire in our backyard and sacrifice a bull, I promise not to invite you to the festivities. You, on the other hand, must refrain from handing out such overly religious propaganda!

Ummm... Yeah

2009-10-29T05:02:00.001-07:00

Between my husband doing something to my computer and the fact that I have been asked to be my daughter's Brownie Troop Leader, I have been busy. And to top it off, insomnia has hit in a big way. I was not meant to run on only 4 hours of sleep a night.

So, not much new at the ol' ranch. DD has been home sick one more time, but I think it allergy related and not the flu. My mom came for a visit and briefly upset teh balance in my universe. Hubby lost out on a bid and we are staying in Houston and not moving to some exotic locale, like Japan. Other than that, life is quiet.

Surly teen has started to settle down and do his work. He was on the honor roll the last 6 weeks grading period. I now have an honor roll sticker proudly displayed on my car! He even told me I'm a good mom because I "encourage." How many teens say that??

Baby girl continues her sewing lessons and is making a quilt using Hannukah fabric from my stash. I can't wait until it is done. I think it is going to be great.

Not much going on with me- trying to get the holiday crafts done, but failing miserably- too tired. I need sleep now- not when I am dead.

And So It Begins...

2009-08-27T14:48:00.000-07:00

DD came home from school with a temp of 101.1 F. Apparently the brat who is next to her in PE coughed and sneezed all over her and then boasted she is sick. Great going mom of brat, sending a sick kid to school!

Now for my rant, which I haven't done in a month or so- if your chold is sick, please keep them home so as not to make my kid sick. While I realize you have to work, you do have vaction adn sick days for this type of thing- quit being so selfish and use your d*mn sick days to take care of your kid. So you have to cut your vacation short, isn't your child's health more important?? And odn't give me that crap about I don't understand because I have the "luxury" of staying home. It's not about working mom vs. stay-at-home mom. It's about our children. You'd be just as angry at my child if I sent her to school sick and she coughed all over your child.

And PS, if your job is more important than you child, you shouldn't have had a child in the first place!

School Starts Today

2009-08-24T04:40:00.000-07:00

...Nuff said!

Dishwasher Woes

2009-08-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

I enjoy the Yarn Harlot's blog. I think she is funny and insightful. I had to laugh when she had dishwasher problems, but I'm not laughing now. I just spent $167 USD replacing a piston on my dishwasher. I also had them clean out the drain while they were at it. The above is what they cleaned out- minus the quarter, which is there for scale. The gingerbread button is from some long forgotten craft project. The flexible plastic ring is possibly from a baby something or other. My baby will be 8 years old next month. At least my dishwasher won't be a breeding ground for bacteria any more.

One by One...

2009-08-10T10:22:00.000-07:00

The kids are slowly stealing my sanity. Grumperina- the 7 yo- woke up in her usual grumpy self and spent the morning complaining about everything. I tried to get the child to eat, but she refused everything. And she felt like her older brother was picking on her- he was, but not to the extent she let on.

Surly teen was not all that surly, he just enjoyed picking on his sister and seeing if she would cry. She did- twice. Not a record, but...

I have since banished the both of them outside into the outer rings of Hell (aka Houston in the summer). They are cleaning their trash out of my car. I'm not sure what I'll have them do next.

Two weeks until school starts... two weeks until school starts... two weeks until school starts... I wish it would start tomorrow!

Is it Aug. 24th Yet???

2009-08-07T07:26:00.000-07:00

I am soooooo ready for the kids to go back to school. Surly teen ingested a few too many fiber gummies I bought for 7 yo sis and he now has a stomach-ache. Well, duh- I'd have one too if I ate that much fiber. She couldn't go, now he can't stop. When I told that "this, too, shall pass," I did get a laugh from him, though, so he's going to be fine.

Lil' sis is itching to go to the vets with me. She wants to be one when she grows up. I made her a vet costume for last year's "Career Day" at her school. They did it right before Halloween to offset the holiday. She dug out the costume, I lengthened the legs and ironed it and she is ready to go.

Which brings me to the other events of this morning. As I was reading teen the riot act for his fiber overdose, hubby comes out to tell me that he is working from home and I should be quiet. I gave him "the look" and explained to him that he was in my office during working hours and this is my job. He got a kick out of that and went back to his work. Really, he did, he thought it was funny. He thought it was even funnier when I was wrestling the cat into the carrier and the cat peed on me. I should get hazard pay for all that I do.

As for knitting.... it's too hot, she whined. I just can't bring myself to do anything. Not even a simple cotton dishcloth. I do have a new fiber addiction, though, wholly unlike my son's! I got into crazy quilting and took a class a couple of weekends ago. I am having fun, too, and enjoying the embroidery aspect of my new hobby. And, lil' sis is loving her sewing classes, too. Another craft addict in the house. Hubby is doomed!

Movies and Babies

2009-07-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

So, hubby and I went to see HP6 last night- without our kids. Youngest would have been too scared and oldest would have spent most of the time in the bathroom pretending not to be scared. We passed by a row and I noticed 2 women there with very young children- under the age of 2. The previews start to roll and when the one of the new "Twilight" movie shows one of the characters turning into a werewolf (sorry folks, I didn't jump on the "Twilight" train), the younger kid starts screaming. I report it to the manager who asks the (very) young lady to take her screaming child out. After the movie is over, she is sitting there, holding the now sleeping child and giving me the evil eye.

1. If you can't afford a babysitter, or your family won't watch your child, then you can't afford a night out at the movies.

2. Take your kids to the movies earlier in the day so we adults can enjoy a kid free movie.

3. Use birth control so you don't get pregnant in your teen years and ruin your life and my movie.

4. My taxes paid for that baby's birth and all his pediatrician bills as you are not working and his daddy is absent! Get over yourself.

If I go to the movies with my kids, who are 7 and 14 now, we go to the earlier shows. When my youngest was an infant and before we knew anyone in our new neighborhood, I would take her to the movies. We tried to time it during her naps and I fed her as the previews were rolling. If she fussed, either my husband or I would take her out of the theater immediately. My first child was born was I was 28, and the last when I was 35, happily married and on firm financial legs.

Things to Do...

2009-07-15T06:54:00.000-07:00

...while waiting in line to pick up your kid at summer school:

1. Try to keep his younger sister entertained. I taught her to knit and needlepoint. Does she bring her projects with her?? No. So, she climbs around the car acting like a monkey.

2. Listen to the hybrid engine not make emissions!

3. Get ahead on Christmas knitting- or at least, that was the plan!

4. Listen to the Disney Channel and try not to poke out eardrums with knitting needles.

5. Wonder if feeding kids peanut butter sandwiches for dinner, again, is child abuse. I do include carrots and either milk or juice.

6. Wonder what fabulous meal hubby is having with his colleagues at dinner.

I have not poked out my eardrums, yet. I did finish a simple garter stitch bib and started a knit burp cloth. I have not throttled monkey-girl. I have packed up a bag of her projects. We have run out of peanut butter and I really don't want to go to the store today, so it's spaghetti for dinner. Hubby's fab dinner turned out to be Whataburger.

May was a disaster...

2009-06-12T08:35:00.001-07:00

...and June is not looking too good, either. My son turned 14 in early May and those hormones kicked into overdrive. By the time he is done with puberty, his sister will be starting. I've got at least another 11 years of the hormonal roller coaster and I truly want to get off- NOW!!!!

Not only are his hormones out of control, so is his mouth. It got him suspended the last two days of school. Not foul language, just sexual remarks. I think the entire school heard me yelling at him in the AP's office. My voice does tend to carry. I am still angry and he is still grounded from all thngs fun- computer, Play Station, Wii. And as for TV- only what his sister wants to watch. She likes Hannah Montana and iCarly, so he's haitng me right now.

Then we find out that one of his teachers has been arrested. Apparently the guy may have been taking pics up the girls' skirts. There is the part of me that wants him hung out to dry- revoke his teacher's certification, send him to jail and all. Pedophiles are the bottom of the heap in jail, too, so he's going to have to really watch his back. But, this is middle school, and the kids are vicious. Girls' skirts are really short, too. As the mother of a little girl, though, I have to have empathy for the girls who were vicitimized. If it really did happen, then jail is appropriate. If not, then I feel sorry for him because his carreer is all but ruined and there will be no consequences for the girls.

How to Annoy Your Teen, pt. 1

2009-03-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

My almost 14 yo son has outgrown his clothes and shoes in record time. I spent Spring Break buying new shoes and clothes for him. Since there are certain things I will not allow him to wear- suggestive clothing- I am stuck with the dubious honor of taking him clothes shopping.

So, we are in Waco, visiting my mom and we are at the mall. I decide to look at some clothes there at a store called "Buckle." The displays look nice, the clothes look fine... That's how they reel you in. I find a very nice t-shirt that he likes and I can tolerate. I look at the price. I look at the price, again. I about swallow my tongue and start sputtering. Put down your beverage before you read this next part. The price of this "nice" t-shirt was... $68.50. If you read sixty-eight dollars and fifty cents than you read it correctly. I asked the over eager sales girl if this was the right price and she cheerfully confirmed that it was. $68.50 for a flimsy t-shirt that will fall apart the second time I wash it?? No, no, no, no, no!! No, I will not buy a t-shirt for that price.

this is where the embarassment begins. As we are walking out of the store, I was still incredulous and remarking very loudly that I was not about to pay that price for that shirt. Surly teen was mortified and kept saying "mom, mooooommmm, all the kids have one." Suddenly my mother's voice is heard "and if all the kids jumped off a cliff would you do it, too?" The problem is that my mom was not shopping with us that day. Surly teen is glaring at me. A group of older teens has overheard us and are all laughing and we end up going to Kohl's and buying his clothes for a lot less. For the prcie of that one t-shirt, I am able to buy him 3 pairs of jeans.

He got over his embarrassment when he realized that we were in Waco and not Houston and noone knows him in Waco except his grandma and her friends.

Rome Is Burning...

2009-03-06T06:56:00.001-08:00

So, yesterday I was out running some errands around town and meeting with a friend to help her with a knitting problem and I realized what a sorry state our country is in. The sense of entitlement begins very young.

Scene 1- I am at Michael's waiting for the Pier 1 to open and I am standing in line to make a purchase. Two customers in front of me is a late20/early 30ish woman and her pre-school daughter. The friendly cashier gives the child a free glow-in-the-dark bracelet (Halloween leftovers that can't get rid of??). Does this child say "Thank You?" Does the mom prompt the child to say "Thank You?" If you answered "No" to both questins, then you are correct. I was floored. I could not believe it. They walked out and said absolutely nothing to the nice lady behind the counter. WTF???

Scene 2- at the library. I met a friend at the library to help her with her knitting. There was a young (early 20's) woman at the computers with her toddler who was extremely fussy. She was totalyy ignoring this child who continued to fuss and carry on wanting attention. Another lady, once again late 20's/early 30's comes in with two preschool boys who are left unattended while she disappears into the stacks. These two little heathens begin to fight, wrestle, run-around, yell at each other and disturb all of the others who are tryong to be quiet. They are soon joined by a third boy whose mom is on the computer in Internet oblivion. I complain to the nice volunteer who tries to calm the children instead of finding the responsible adults and telling them to rein in their brats!!!

I have 2 kids- a 13 yo son, and a 7yo daughter. They can be a bit much at times and I have been known to call them the poster children for birth control, but I did teach them manneers and would have been mortified if my kiddos had acted like the ones mentioned above. If you don't say "Thank You," you must return the gift to the giver. You do not disrupt in a public place. If I was that desperate for a book, I would have either waited until mom's-day-out or my husband came home. I would not have taken such out-of-control brats to the library with me. Truthfully, my kids love books and woould have sat looking at them for ages, quietly. But, my kids are not perfect, either. Ages is about 15 minutes in reality, which is just enough time for me to find a book for me. They would also follow me into the stacks and sit at my feet looking at their books while I looked for mine.

So, Rome is burning, folks. Are you a fiddler or a fireman???

10 Reasons Why I Hate Houston

2009-02-19T13:02:00.001-08:00

I've really had it with Houston today, but why should today be any different from any other day. So here are the Top 10 reasons why I wish my husband's company would send us somewhere else- anywhere else, even outer Mongolia!!

10. Pretentiousness- "THE" Woodlands- accent on "THE." Yup, one of the- excuse me, "THE"- suburbs of Houston is actually called "THE" Woodlands. I admit the capitalization and quotations are mine, but when they say it, it sounds like how I wrote it- "THE" Woodlands.

9. Smog- must I live in a city where the ozone alerts start in April and end in October??

8.Traffic- Names of the highways are crazy-weird here. Each highway has 3 identifications- the number, a North Houston name and a South Houston name. And don't get me started on the whole Kuykendall name, either. There is no "r" in the name, so why do people insist on calling that street Kirkendall??

7. Traffic- Stop signs were put up for a reason, and just because your car is bigger than mine, it still doesn't mean you have the right of way if I got to the Stop sign, first. Oh, and bicyclers, you ARE supposed to follow the rules of the road, too. You MUST stop at Stop signs, too, whether you like it or not. Same for you guys at the golf course. If the road you are crossing is a public access road, and NOT behind the gates, you have no right-of-way. Just ask any cop- I did.

6. Traffic- Speed Limits are there for our safety and just because I choose to go the speed limit and you are running late does not give you the right to tailgate me and almost cause an accident because you couldn't leave your house 5 minutes earlier.

5. Traffic- Most of the highways in all three of their personalities can be major parking lots at any time of the day anywhere in Texas. And FYI, if the guy in front of me is not moving, then neither am I, so quit honking and tailgating.

4. Traffic- the inability of those with large vehicles- Suburbans, Hummers, SUVs, pick-ups, mini-vans- to actually park their auto correctly. Sometimes they take up 2 spaces, or park at an angle in a non-angled slot. I was once blocked in by a guy in a pick-up who had parked his vehicle just as I was getting ready to leave. He became upset with me because I asked him to park a little straighter so I could get out. I even used the word "please." There is absolutely no reason to call me a *itch.

3. Traffic- Hummers. I have never seen so many Hummers in one place. It's no wonder we have all those ozone alerts. Oh, and to the guy in the olive green Hummer who called me a "fat *itch," sorry about your penis.

2. Traffic- Drivers on the phone. Honestly, people, haven't you heard of bluetooth??? Most cars come equipped with it and it goes through your speakers in your car. And, no, you cannot drive and talk on the phone at the same time. You've almost run me off the road on several occasions, hit me in the parking lot, and oh, yeah, blocked me into my parking space!!

1. Traffic (were you expecting something different??)- I have been tailgated by people on phones and was forced off the road on more than one occasion because they were encroaching on my tailgate. I have been almost hit by people who decide that they can make me speed up by tailgating. On the flip side, if everyone else, including me, is passing you, please move over to the far right lane. And, just because you drive a big-ass, flashy, pretentious, gas-guzzling, ozone deteriorating, over-priced vehicle and pull up to the stop sign after me does not give you the right of way. I do realize your huge car could crush my Prius, as could your carbon footprint, but I was there first.

Can you tell that despite that is absolutely gorgeous outside, I still have issues with Houston and it's traffic???

It's Genetic!!

2009-02-08T07:49:00.000-08:00

About a week ago, my 7 year-old daughter came and asked me to teach her to knit. She had a skein of bulky weight yarn in her favorite colors- pink and purple. I dug out a pair of US 13 needles and commenced to teach her how to knit. She caught on like a champ and is now got about 10" done on a scarf. She loves it. there have been a few errors along the way, but she is doing great. I am so proud.

She did take it to show her 1st grade teacher and a couple of kids tried their hand at "knitting." Their version was to slip the stitches from one needle to the next without making a new loop through the loop on the previous row. DD waited patiently while I undid the errors and I made her promise not to take it to school again- or at least let anyone else try to knit her scarf.

During all this, we found out that my niece's babysitter is trying to teach her to crochet. the niece is on my husband's side, so no genes from me! After a lesson or two, the babysitter was off for a few days and Grandma was watching her and her sister. Niece asked grandma to help her with the crochet. Now, my MIL is creative in other ways, but not knitting or crochet. She told niece to wait until she saw Aunt Terri again to help her learn some more crochet!! Hopefully we'll be able to get together over the summer so I can help her and maybe teach her to knit, too.

And, I am working diligently on my handmade pledge for this year. I have completed 2 washcloths, some scarves and various other things. Now, if I would just stay off Etsy, I wouldn't have so many pattens and great ideas!! I made the mistake of looking at their sewing patterns and now I've got a stack of those and a hundred new ideas!!

February Rant

2009-02-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

And, no, it's not about Valentine's Day. I married my forever Valentine almost 17 years ago and am very happy;-)

This is about cell phones and driving. In the last week, I have seen too many people almost have accidents because they were on the phone while driving. One of these people was in an SUV and trying to turn and hold the phone and chat. I'll admit, I have driven and yakked before, but after a near miss, I activated my Bluetooth. It comes through the speakers on my car and can be a little annoying for the person on the other end, but at least I am somewhat safe.

And, what about those speaker phones? I hate those. I really don't want to hear both sides of your conversation. And, if you have to yell to be heard, please step out of the restaurant so the rest of us can enjoy our meal in peace.

I also thinks it's funny when 2 people are on the phone at the same table. You just want to ask them why they can't speak directly to each other since they are sitting so close. I know, they are usually talking to someone else, but is that really the point of the date- to spend it on the phone with your BFF's???

As for me, the tendinitis is clearing up, but my right shoulder is about jammed into my ear. The in-laws are coming in a couple of weeks and I am frantically cleaning house.

Inauguration Knitting

2009-01-21T07:03:00.000-08:00

If you watched the Inauguration on CNN yesterday, you probably saw some pretty cool knitting, amongst other things. Mrs. Robinson, the First Grandmother and President Obama's MIL, was wearing a beautiful ribbed knit scarf and matching hat. One of the First Daughters' escorts was wearing a beautiful fuchsia knit shoulder shawl that made me wonder if it was handmade. Can you tell that Wolf Blitzer's constant commentary was driving me insane???

As for the First Daughters, Malia and Sascha- I sure hope they become role models for the young ladies of America. They were dressed demurely and seemed oh so sweet. It was truly refreshing to see young girls dressed in that manner.

As for me, knitting is on the back burner until my tendinitis in my right shoulder clears up.

It's Gonna Be a Long Week

2009-01-06T13:07:00.000-08:00

I injured my shoulder somewhere between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Despite the pain, I continued to work on my many projects. I knit, crocheted and sewed away the holidays. After the New Year, hubby and I were goofing around and I sprained it again. Get your mind out of the gutter. We were acting like HS teenagers before the discovery of sex;-) So, I made an appointment with my doctor and now I have been banned from every activity that requires the use of my shoulder- most especially knitting, crocheting and sewing.

It's only 3 pm and I feel like I am going insane. My furry babies did entertain me for about 5 minutes, but then quit fighting when the cat got the upper hand and fled. DS isn't due home for another 30 minutes. Maybe I should go lie back down.

Tech Socks Done!!

2009-01-02T13:36:00.001-08:00

Huge sigh of relief over here!! The red yarn came on the 31st, so I immediately cast on for the socks. By midnight, I had half a pair done!! Then I drank some Champagne with the hubby and decided not to try to knit another sock while slightly buzzed.

Babysitter came over yesterday to watch kids so hubby and I could have a quiet dinner out and saw the one sock. She said she would take it and hop around the dorm if she had to. We got home early and sat down to watch the "Twilight Zone" marathon on SciFi and since I was tired from staying until 2 am the night before, I decided to get through the heel turn and then go to bed. Well, first it was Burgess Meredith breaking his glasses and then it was Telly Savalas- with hair!!- getting killed by a doll. Before I knew it, I had not only turned the heel, but finished the heel gusset. Got up this am and by 10 am, the socks were completely finished. EB can now have nice warm feet back at school. LB, her mom has been threatened with bodily harm if she goes anywhere near the darn things!!

Got the Red Yarn Blues

2008-12-30T17:07:00.000-08:00

I have a very dear friend, LB. She has a very sweet teenage daughter, EB, who was our babysitter until she went off to college this year. Knowing how cold the floors of a dorm room can be, I knitted up some very lovely chunky socks in her school colors, black and red (TX Tech). LB saw them and fell in love with them and tried to sneak them out of her daughter's dorm room before they returned home. EB caught her and rescued her socks.

EB came home over Thanksgiving and LB commandeered the socks. EB had been washing the socks in Woolite despite the fact they are made from acrylic yarn. LB decided to throw them in the washing machine, which under normal circumstances, would be fine. But, LB threw in several pairs of blue jeans, including a brand new pair that bled all over the socks. EB was mad and rightfully so. I was miffed at LB for about a day, because I knew I could whip out another pair without any problems- chunky socks, sz. 9 needles, ankle length, 32 stitches total. Easy Peasy, right???

Nope, not as easy as I thought it would be. I placed an order for the yarn right after Thanksgiving thinking I would get in the first week of December or so, enough time to make the socks for Christmas. I had ordered other colors of the yarn, too, so when I got the box, I was disappointed to learn that the red yarn was back ordered until 12/15. No problem, even if I got it a day or two before Christmas, there was still time to make the socks before EB's return to Lubbock. So, I waited... and waited... and waited...

Until Dec. 26th, and still no red yarn. So, I wrote a very nice note to the company explaining that I had already paid for the yarn and would like either the yarn or a refund, preferably the yarn. While I was on their site, I hopped over and checked the status of the red yarn- was it in stock??? NO!!!! It is back ordered until 1/24/09!! Oh the horror, the agony, EB's cold tootsies...

So what do I do? I look around the net to find another source of the red yarn and order 2 skeins form 2 different companies- hedging my bets, so to speak. So what happens the next day??? I am informed by Company A that my order of 2 skeins of red yarn, that was supposed to be back ordered until late January '09, had been shipped. Now for the kicker- has any of this yarn arrived?? No, but it's been less than a week since I've ordered any of the yarn, so I come home from the mailbox just a little disappointed every day. What was that saying about a "watched pot" again??

What Are These People Thinking???

2008-12-17T09:26:00.000-08:00

The big news around here is the news form New Jersey- a kid named (are you ready for this?) Adolph Hitler. His sister's name is Aryan Nation. What kind of people would give their children such heinous names? Yea, I know all about freedom of speech, so here's me taking advantage of it-

As a Jew, and therefore someone hated by these people, I am highly offended. It is tragic that someone idolizes such an evil man and his beliefs and feels they have to name their child in such a manner. How did they even get out of the hospital without someone noticing?? And what about school? They are just setting this kid up for tons of torment and then what? Another school shooting?

Anyway, it makes me appreciate the names of some of the kids I teach when I am substituting. I will never again bemoan the fact that some kid is named after the city he was conceived in, or some state or place or something just really goofy. And if my kiddos had been named for the places they were conceived, Midland (Texas) would be 13 and Doha (Qatar) would be 7!!

Quiet Weekend

2008-12-07T10:34:00.000-08:00

I've been avoiding the stores and sittin' and knittin', and crocheting, too. I've made several hats for the extended family this year and a couple for my daughter and me. I knit the stripey scarf from Ravelry using Kureyon and it came out cute. And I did crochet a really cute poinsettia hat for a friend, but forgot to take pics of the darn thing before it left this house. As soon as I do a photoshoot with the others, I will post them.

Tomorrow, though, I am actually going to venture forth into the shopping jungle and get some last little things for family and friends. Kinda scary for me as I really hate shopping this time of year, but I made a promise to my daughter. The only one I am having problems shopping for is my teen. Anybody know what to get for a 13 yo surly teen????

Black Friday 2008, pt. 2

2008-11-30T08:58:00.000-08:00

Well, it happened. Someone finally got killed by shoppers on Black Friday. A young man who worked at a Long Island Wal-Mart was trampled to death by people trying to get into the store. The "customers" (read: savages) pushed so hard on the glass doors that they collapsed inward crushing the man and then these same "people" trampled the doors and the poor man underneath in their frenzy to get to the merchandise. In fact, several other employees were trampled trying to get to their injured colleague. Great way to start the holidays, huh??

Addendum (late afternoon): The young man who was killed in the shopping frenzy was not a small man by any means. According to the paper, he was 247 lbs, a gentle giant. The pressure from the exertion of over-eager shoppers on the door of the store caused them to shatter inwards. How does this kind of thing happen in our world???

Black Friday

2008-11-28T07:47:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the official first day of the holiday shopping season. As you can see, I am sitting in front of my computer and blogging. Do I have plans to shop today??? Are you out of you flipping mind???

Today is the day that Americans colors really show through. It is a day of greed when people will push, shove, hit, kick, punch, bite and throw tantrums just to get a few drastically reduced items. Part of the blame lies with the stores themselves for only putting a few out to encourage this awful behavior. The other part of the blame belongs to us humans. We act like animals when we know that there will only be a few of those speciality items today, but come next week, the stores will be begging us to take them off their hands.

I do realize that the economy is in the toilet and that people are trying to save money, but here's a little tip- buy gift cards. This is what we are planning on doing because we figure that come January the stores will be trying to dump all that merchandise as fast as they can so they don't have to inventory it and the prices will be even lower than they are today. I'm going back to bed now.

Countdown to Thanksgiving

2008-11-23T07:19:00.000-08:00

And you thought I was going to say Christmas- huh??? A few more days before the family eats too much and then fights over the TV. So, instead of gloomy thoughts, I'd thought I'd share a holiday memory. To my dad, who passed away in 1979. I miss him terribly this time of year.

My dad was a fantastic cook and every year at Thanksgiving, he'd make a huge turkey and all the fixings- stuffing, mashed potatoes, spinach casserole, corn. The only thing he would "allow" my mother to do was to bake the pies. My mouth is watering just thinking about her apple pie. Anyway, every year, dad would get up before the crack of dawn and start cooking. My dad was a large man with a colorful vocabulary. We all knew to avoid him when he started cussing and Thanksgiving was one of those days you knew there would be cussing. But, I also knew that I was the only one who could go in the kitchen first thing in the morning. Dad would have mini bagels and grape juice waiting for me and I would eat them while he worked his magic. After I ate, my mom would would go into the kitchen to get breakfast for my sister and brother. She always got yelled at for disturbing dad. It wasn't until around 1:00 pm that dad would emerge and go and shower and change. By then, the turkey was in the oven and everything was simmering in various pots and pans, or was just waiting it's turn in the oven. The guest would arrive around 5ish and dinner would be served shortly after 6. Everyone always exclaimed over how moist and tender dad's turkey was, and they asked his secret. He always told him that he cussed at the bird and the more he cussed, the tenderer it was. Gotta love a man like that.

1979 was the first year mom made Thanksgiving for us. Dad hap carefully typed out all his recipes before he died. Mom's turkey that first year was extremely dry. We figured she hadn't cussed at the bird enough to tenderize it!!

A Little Ranting 2

2008-11-01T05:42:00.000-07:00

So, last night was Halloween and I took DD around to the neighbors' houses and my friend took her to another block. After the annual sorting of the goodies where I claim all the KitKats and we dump all the yucky ones in our handout bowl, I notice a business card on the floor. Imagine my surprise when I picked the darn thing up and it turned out to be from a local church asking us to come worship with them!! Where so I begin with the ire???

First and foremost- this is supposed to be a fun holiday for kids, not one where you proselytize to my child. Yes, I do understand that it has pagan roots, but we are not out in the backyard lighting bonfires and having sex. Let my children collect their candy peacefully. If you have a problem with the holiday, then leave your lights OFF and pray for godless souls while we traverse the neighborhood collecting candy!!

Second- As for joining you for worship- no thanks. Any church or fellowship who markets themselves so shamelessly is not worth my time or effort. This also applies to all those mega-churches that advertise on TV, send out fliers in the mail and have the school send handouts home with my kiddo advertising "fall festivals." If this is how you are using your money and tithes, then you need to have your tax-exempt status revoked and your books audited. Shouldn't that money be going to keep the church running, and helping the less fortunate???

Third- You don't know my religious beliefs and they are none of your business. You don't know if I am happy with those beliefs, either. For the record- I and my family are Jewish, and we are extremely happy with our beliefs. I could not be part of any religion that so shamelessly promotes itself in the manner in which you have.

Fourth- as for all those churches running "Houses of Horror"- leave it to the professionals like "ScreamWorld." Yours are thinly veiled proselytizing tactics. That whole abortion scene you show at the end with blood every where and the maniacal "doctor" is so untrue, now. Rest assured, though, that your vision will come true if abortion is made illegal.

Basically- I am an adult and know what is best for my child. Let them enjoy this particular holiday as a candy-filled frolic in costume. Save your proselytizing for Christmas. I would say Thanksgiving, but the Pilgrims "borrowed" our harvest holiday of Sukkot for their first Thanksgiving.

Boo!

2008-10-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

One more day until Halloween and my sis's 40th birthday. And if you're reading this, dear sister, I know I am still older than you!

Quick update on me- I had minor elective surgery on Monday and things are progressing well. I had my endometrium burned off. No plans for anymore kids and after 30 years of the monthly mess, I am ready for a break. I would love to have a vacation where Mother Nature didn't tag along. No matter how many times we planned the perfect get-away, I always seemed to be up in the room, cramping and moaning. Hopefully, this took care of everything and I can start enjoying my vacations with my family more.

Not much else to report except that the surgery put my holiday decorating on hold. Hubby is going to be out of town when it's time to take it down, so, once again, I got lazy this year. Oh, well... next year, hopefully, I'll give the neighbors something to talk about besides my awesome pumpkins.

Insanity Prevails

2008-10-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Well, I reactivated as a sub for our local school district. This falls into the category of "what are you thinking???" I'm thinking I need a little extra money for the holidays, especially in this economy. We'll see how it goes. Hubby says if it doesn't work out, I can always quit- again.

I haven't done as much, yet, for Halloween as I had hoped. Life just keeps happening around here. My mom came down and we went to the Neil Diamond concert earlier this week. We had a great time, too. My 78 yo mom is still one "Red Hot Mama!" During "Forever in Bluejeans," a man was walking by and mom stopped him and told him he couldn't leave during that song. So what does he do? He dances with mom and then at the end of the song gives her a huge kiss!! Way to go, Mom!! Hope I am as hot as you when I'm 78!!

As for the concert itself- it was fantastic. Neil Diamond certainly has a generous heart. He donated all the proceeds from merchandise sales at that concert to the Hurricane Ike Relief Fund. He also promised to make a matching donation. I feel less guilty about the money I spent, too. And here I was, gearing up for a rant about how the celebs haven't done a thing for Galveston, and Mr. Diamond goes and does this. Guess I'll save my rant for something else.

Halloween Musings...

2008-10-06T17:15:00.001-07:00

...the war is on. A new neighbor moved in around the end of August. You have to understand- when it comes to Hallowen, I will NOT be outdone. She can have Christmas as I don't celebrate it being Jewish and all. But, leave Halloween for me. Honestly, my sis was born on the day, I'm a Friday the 13th baby (I was born on that day!) and my mom was born on the Ides of March (03/15, the day Casear was killed). Creepiness comes naturally.

My husband comes in Saturday morning after making a run to drop off some donations and tells me I am being outdone. Didn't anyone tell these people that I am the Queen of Halloween around here? I am the house that makes everyone else jealous. I will admit that last year I was in a slump- torn hamstring and all- but I am up and running this year. Man the torpedos, kids, mom's declared "War!" Just don't tell dad or he'll take my credit card away.

Survival and Other Things

2008-10-04T13:38:00.000-07:00

...Such as what to do when gale force winds are howling outside. I crocheted through Hurricane Ike. The baby blanket is just a simple granny square and is small enough for a baby carrier that it won't flop over the edges and drag on the ground. I also madde baby crocs, an amigurami lemon and jellyfish and eyeballs. The jellyfish and eyes are for Halloween.

We were the lucky ones as far as Ike was concerned. Our power was out less than 12 hours and there was no damage to the house. All we had were a few small branches in the backyard which I made the kiddos clean up a few days after Ike blew through. They were out of school for 7 school days and finally went back on Sept. 23rd. It was like the first day of school all over again- an uniterrupted shower, a quiet nap, and no arguing over what we were having for lunch.

So now we are gearing up for our favorite holiday- Halloween. I found some great patterns over on etsy.com and have been crocheting like crazy. That's were I got the patterns for the stuff posted in the pics. I think the crocs are going to be a big hit with the person I made them for. I'll let you know.

Let's Hear It for Ike

2008-09-12T17:39:00.000-07:00

Yup, ol' Ike is barreling down on Houston. He's about 20 miles off the coast of Galveston. We are starting to get the tropical winds around here, but no rain, yet. I am "hunkered down" with the kids and the pets. Our poor puppy can't go outside so is using the dining room as his personal toilet. Can I claim it as storm damage and have my carpet replaced???

DH is stuck in LA. Yup, he's out in sunny California, in a nice hotel with room service and a maid and I am stuck here making the kids help out around the house. I even threatened surly teen with bathroom duty if he complained.

And speaking of surly teen- he got his hair chopped off. He screwed up soooooo bad in school last week, that I had to punish him. And since Dad was in Australia, he wasn't here to "protect" Ben from the wrath of mom. Let's just say I was mortified beyond words and the next step is military academy.

And in other news, menopause has officially hit, hence the severe punishment. Buckle up folks, it's gonna be a bumpy ride!

Gustav is Coming

2008-08-29T14:40:00.000-07:00

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!"

2008-08-27T03:54:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-25T16:38:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-13T14:19:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-08-04T19:10:00.000-07:00

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!!!

I'm Melting, Melting...

2008-07-17T13:55:00.000-07:00

We reached 100 F today, according to my car thermometer. And with the humidity, it's much higher. I feel like I'm melting every time I go out. I just want to lay on the cool tile floor and not move, but the puppy keeps jumping on me.

It's too hot to even think about knitting right now. Every project is stalled. It's taunting me from the living room table with it's yarny warmth. "Come on, knit me. You know you want to, even though it's a bazillion degrees out you want to feel the warmth of my wool running through your fingers and sitting in your lap..." And then it laughs maniacally.

The kids are as sluggish as I am, too. It's pathetic, really. Thankfully my kids are not normally couch potatoes, and neither one of them is overweight by any means, so I let them sit and do nothing.

OK, I'm working up a sweat and need to go take a shower. Keep cool...

A Little Admiration

2008-07-12T16:26:00.000-07:00

There is a blog out in the blogosphere that is promoting turning off your air conditioner for the summer, or at least not turning the temp below 78 F. I've gotta admire all the people who can do this, but I am not one of them and here's why:

1. We live in Houston. It's already over 100 F and with an extremely high humidity.

2. I am peri-menopausal and prone to hot flashes.

3. Did I mention we live in hot, humid Houston???

But, both my husband and I drive hybrids- a Prius for me and a Saturn for him. We love our cars and thumbing our noses at all the H2 and H3 drivers here in Houston. But I cannot live without my AC. Now, if we ever move north to colder climates, I promise to try and be a greener person.

Did I mention we live in hot, humid Houston??

All's Quiet, Sorta

2008-07-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

My DS is visiting the grands in Illinois right now, and DD is taking a bath. The cat has disappeared and the dog is resting after his "circumcision." Yup, Sparticus had THE surgery and is no longer humping everything and everyone. It's quite nice, actually, because I don't have to explain to DD what the dog is doing to her toys that she has left lying around. Note to daughter: Pick up your toys so the dog doesn't chew on them!!

My knitting mojo has flown the coop. The knitting group I belonged to has had some petty in-fighting and I resigned in disgust. It was so bad that there were calls for audits of the books and people actually read the by-laws. Hmmm, guys, it's a knitting group. It's about the knitting not the petty jealousise and hang-ups of others. If I wanted to be involved in this much dissent, I'd actually attend PTA meetings.

So, what have I been doing? I have been recreating the Kit Kitteredge hat from the new American Girl (AG) movie for my DD. I had already made a rolled brim hat from Lily's Sugar and Cream's latest book, "More Girl Talk." I used the same pattern for the hat portion using Lion Brand's Cotton-Ease in Almond. All I have to do is crochet the hat band. For that I am using LB's C-E Lime. If you look closely at the movie pics or have been to the movie (Yup, DD and her AGD have been), the hat in the movie has a crocheted band. The hat at the AGD store- a ribbon. I also bought some flowery material to make her a dress similar to Kit's, with plans to make one for her AGD, too.

And as for the movie, if you are a crafty person, check out all those fab knitted and crocheted poeces in the Kit Kitteredge movie. To die for... I want to crochet that housecoat Mrs. K wears in a few scenes. And Kit has a beautiful lacy sweater that I would love to recreate for my DD. Guess I better get my knitting mojo back soon!!

New Family Member

2008-06-22T06:02:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened since my last post. I officially became the mom of a teenager. My DS is now 13 and is showing all the signs of puberty and the teenage years. But, he is trying to show some maturity. He has offered to babysit his 6 year old sister- if we pay him! He would do a much better job of babysitting if his sister didn't tell him "You're not the boss of me!" Um, Baby Girl, yes he is when he's babysitting you.

My birthday came and went, too. Yup, I'm 42 now and loving it. I hear about all these moms who are having babies at this age, and I want to ask "WHY??!!!???" Are they nuts? My kids are (almost) self-sufficient and can entertain themselves. They are fully potty-trained and sleep through the night for the most part. Do I really want to do it all over again?? Nooooooo!

But, that being said, my big announcement- we have a new puppy. He is a Chihuahua- Shih Tzu mix. He weighs about 2.9 lbs, and tries to take on the much larger (12 lb) cat. His name is Sparticus. Big name, little-bitty dog. And spoiled. More spoiled than some of those celeb dogs. I don't think Paris Hilton knit a sweater for Tinkerbell. Sparticus has 2, hand-knit by me. He has toys all over the house and I even crocheted the pup an afghan for his kennel. And the really nice thing- the kids have poop patrol. It's their dog, they have to clean up after him if has an accident in the house. They are responsible for feeding and other things.

A Little Ranting

2008-04-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

I missed my annual holiday rant- too drugged from the ol' hamstring episode- and I really didn't have much to rant about. I do now, so hang on...

I have a very sweet 6 yo daughter (DD). She is your typical kiddo- loves all things girly, is into Hannah Montana, and her room is decorated with butterflies. She still has the toddler pudge- a tummy- but she is no way obese. She has absolutely no curves, either. Where do the clothing manufacturers get off making tight fitting clothing for theses girls??? My mom bought her a shirt this weekend. I was with her and knew from experience that a size 7/8 would be tight around the tummy, so I've been buying size 9/10's to give her a looser fit. The shirt was made for someone with curves!! I kid you not- it curved in at her waist and she hated it. It's a beautiful shirt, but totally unwearable.

Listen up, clothing manufacturers- my child is 6 years old and I am not going to dress her as a skank, prostitute or a Britney Spears' wannabe. My daughter is not out to attract a boy. She is supposed to play and laugh and have fun. Boys should have cooties right now and I want that to last until she is 21!! I want cute, frilly, MODEST dresses. It doesn't have to be longed sleeved, high-necked, old-fashioned. It can be modern looking, but not scream "SLUT!" Most girls her age look like boards, anyway. None of them have curves- at least not the ones in her class or in our neighborhood. I am not a prude by any means, but kids should be kids, not mini-adults.

Lastly, dear clothing manufacturers, I have a sewing machine and I am using it to make her clothes. I am not going to buy any more pre-made clothes until you start making something less skanky looking. Honestly, my DD doesn't need to highlight her assets. SHE DOESN'T HAVE ANY "ASSETS!" Her only assets are her bubbly personality and her innocence. Can you please lay off those for awhile??

Ah... April in Texas

2008-04-07T16:40:00.000-07:00

And the ragweed and pollen counts are as high as an elephant's eye. Both kids are suffering and I'm just trying to get them to wash their hands after they blow their noses. I would say something about sleeves, but it's 88 F here and they are wearing short sleeves.

On to knitting- DD got a pink bunny from Build-A-Bear and I made the cutest sweater for it. It's the sherbet colorway from RH Kid's Yarn. I like how it turned out so much that I may make a matching sweater for DD.

Since it is getting so hot out, I'm scaling back to small projects- socks to be exact. I've got tons of sock yarn and lots of great patterns. It's time I'm lacking. A few more hours in the day would be helpful. But, I still wouldn't get everything done.

And, I did survive the Hannah Montana concert. The earplugs helped. Billy Ray Cyrus came out between HM's and Miley's sets and sang 2 songs. Yep, he sang that classic "Achy-Breaky Heart." I didn't like it then, I still don't like it now. I do, however, like the duet he sings with Miley- "Ready, Set, Don't Go." Makes me cry every time. Shoulda brought tissues, too.

Score!!!

2008-03-06T18:02:00.000-08:00

Well, the fates have decreed that my darling daughter should go see Hannah Montana on Sunday at the Houston Rodeo. Yup, I scored tickets at their original price and not the outrageous sum demanded by greedy scalpers. Hubby is happy he didn't have to shell out big bucks, DS is happy I could only get 2, and you can understand DD's excitement. As for me, I am going to splurge on a pair of earplugs between now and Sunday.

As for the scalpers- I know we live in a free market society and such, but I think if the performers realized how much profit they were being cheated out of, there would be more outrage, and stricter laws. Say the seats to the concert go for $100 and in the contract, the performer gets 10% of each seats' sale- $10. For every 100 seats, they get $1,000. So, the scalper goes in and buys 100 tickets. Because the performer is very popular, the scalper can sell the tickets for $1,000 apiece. His profit for every seat is $900. $900 x 100 seats= $90,000. The performer still only gets $1,000- $89,000 less than what the scalper gets. The scalper points and clicks. The performer has to get up there in front of the crowds and do all the work. It's easy to say "So what, they're rich." But is it truly fair to the performer who has worked so hard to get the point where everyone wants to see them perform?? Discuss....

It's been awhile

2008-03-03T13:22:00.000-08:00

Well, folks, life just seems to be getting better and better- if only you could hear the sarcasm in my voice. Remember that whole hamstring incident back in October? We are still having fallout over that. It seems some moron over at the local hospital skimmed my driver's license and went on a shopping spree in Santa Rosa, California. They spent over $1,200 at Victoria's Secret alone. Just how many pairs of panties is that anyway???? We are trying to get it all cleaned up- lawyers, police, credit bureaus, FTC (useless, by the way, they only collect the info for data purposes!).

Then, two weeks ago, one of my aunts passed away. She wasn't my favorite aunt. I haven't seen her in years. She was, though, my mom's younger sister. That fact hit a nerve. And I am beginning to believe that my mom's whole family is completely insane. Uncle #1 made her sign over everything to him just for the $$$$. Uncle #2 hung up when his ex called to tell him that his sis had died. Nobody knows how to contact the twin aunts. And aunt #3 drove my mom so completely batty, that mom payed the extra money to fly home early. Hubby got a good laugh until he realized my mom is the only sane one in the bunch, and then started to worry about me and the kids. I had to remind him that I wasn't swimming in that particular gene pool because I'm adopted.

Knitting like crazy. I've been knitting chunky weight socks. I found 2 patterns for them, and combined what I thought was the best of both- length of the leg, heel, heel turn, etc. They knit up quickly and are very cozy, especially on the tile floor.

Not much else going on in my little part of the world. Gonna go knit some more now.

Vacation is Almost Over

2007-12-29T11:59:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here typing this while grumpy pre-teen is looking over my shoulder. I guess he wants to be sure I don't write anything bad about him. He doesn't realize it's already too late!!

Anyway, we leave for home tomorrow and I am so ready to get back to my own bed. It's been a nice trip, but I am exhausted. I did get to visit my favorite yarn shop in Illinois- Nancy's Knitworks in Springfield. They moved to a much larger store and their inventory has increased. It's only gotten better- not that it was bad in the first place. I did pick up some lovely yarn to make DD and her cousin some scarves. I got myself some sock yarn and indigo dyed yarn that I have no idea what I am going to make with it. Another reason I can't wait to get home- my extensive pattern collection.

DD spent 2 nights with her cousin and was thrilled. Cousin still can't find her AG doll. DD was hoping that they were going to have a big sleepover dolls and all. They still had fun even though they couldn't have a dolly tea party.

DH has spent the last 2 days trying to fix BIL's computer. Apparently, there are multiple problems, like the virus program that is over 2 years old and no longer works. There are also multiple cookies that need to be blocked, too. DH can't believe BIL let the computer get that bad, but then DH is always keeping ours cleaned up and such while BIL doesn't care until it's too late.

Y'all have a great New Years. Be safe and appoint a designated driver. And, no knitting under the influence, either. It's no fun to have to try and correct those mistakes with a hangover;-)

Happy Holidays

2007-12-25T14:02:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I know it's Christmas, but I'm Jewish, so you get the generic. We are visiting the relatives in Illinois, and it's going pretty well. DD had one minor upset with her older cousin. Seems cousin wanted to play with the much younger cousin who lives here rather than the one visiting from Texas (DD). DD is tired. We got her lay down and rest for a few minutes and she calmed down. Then both cousins left and she has the grands undivided attention.

Grumpy pre-teen has disappeared into the computer room where gramps keeps the PS2. We hardly ever see him except when he's hungry. He got some really nice gifts from the family, but is more content with the old PS2 games.

DD got her wish- the pink leopard from Build-a-Bear Workshop. The grands bought her both the big one and the little one that goes with it. Auntie bought her a Mrs. Claus BABW dress so the leopard is not naked.

And, I got the best present ever- my MIL is taking DD to see the new "Alvin and the Chipmunks" movie. I don't even have to go!! I have never liked the chipmunks, so I am relieved that MIL is taking her. I've also been knitting American Girl doll clothes and BABW sweaters for DD and her cousin. They are really cracking that whip for new clothes and sweaters!!

Have a great day, y'all!!

KANG's generous knitting spirit

2007-11-25T14:30:00.000-08:00

I tried to post these pics yesterday, but I didn't follow the directions very well. Here are the pics of what my fellow Houston knitters donated for charity. They are truly amazing. Did I mention that we knit 41 washcloths??

Generosity of Knitters

2007-11-24T12:12:00.000-08:00

I belong to the Knit at Night Guild (KANG) in Houston. I recently asked my fellow knitters to bring hand knit washcloths to our last meeting so I could donate them to a local woman's shelter. I received 41 knit washcloths, assorted toiletries, 7 pairs of crocheted slippers, 4 of the cutest scarves, one hat/scarf set and some other things. Makes me proud to be a knitter and crocheter.

Puberty has started

2007-11-15T10:18:00.000-08:00

Well, it seems that puberty has hit our household. My son's hormones must have gone into overdrive in the last few days. He used the bathroom early this morning and at noon it still reeks of (almost) teenage boy. I went and bought one of those alternating scent warmer things that plugs in and set it on high. I was going to set it on low until I walked into the bathroom. His sister refuses to use that bathroom now, too. It's gonna be a fun, and stinky, couple of years.

Well, we are in the big countdown to the holidays. Thanksgiving is next week and we decided to stay home and let the grocery store do the cooking- turkey in a box. Hannukah starts Dec. 4th and I am not ready for it at all. I thought it started the 8th. Have I been finishing anything?? No, just starting whole new projects because they look fun!! My DD's cardi still sits there with the first front half done and the second waiting to be cast on . DS's sweater is still in the some assembly required stage- it hasn't even been cast on. ANd all those washcloths are still in their respective skeins, too!! Knitting ADD has reared it's ugly head, adn at the wrong time of the year, too. I thought I was going into an insomnia cycle earlier this week and I usually get tons done when I can't sleep, but it just turned out to be one night of sleeplessness due to hamstring soreness. Maybe I should get off the computer and onto the sofa and knitting!!

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T13:30:00.000-07:00

... and a very Happy Birthday to my sis in Atlanta. She turned 39. The scary one is next year. She, of course, had to remind me that I am, and always will be, her older sister... sigh. But on the bright side, our older half-sis will be 60 in 2 years.

Plans for Halloween- handing out candy. The ol' hamstring is still sore and I am still supposed to be on crutches, so Trick or Treating is out. DS, the master of disaster, has offered to help hand out candy as his penance for the Tostito incident that led to the torn hamstring. DH will be wandering the neighborhood with our little Cheetah girl.

Knitting-wise- I am on the second sock in Opal's Tiger sock yarn. I started wearing my handmade socks when it got cold, and fell in love. I had been hesitant- all that work and then it gets a hole or something- but, all that money spent buying the yarn, and all the time spent making them, it seems a shame to leave them hiding in a drawer.

Y'all have a safe and happy Halloween.

The Joys (?) of a Band Mom

2007-10-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

...or, please pass the Tylenol, extra strength. As I sit here and type, my DS is sitting next to me practicing his clarinet. A series of squeals and squawks can be heard through out the house. Now I know why my parents banished me to the farthest part of the house. I may permanently deaf in my right ear by Hannukah.

I've been doing some serious knitting while waiting for the hamstring to heal. I have finished 3 Christmas stockings. Two were sitting in the UFO pile and the other I started from scratch. My DD's sweater is coming along nicely. I've finished the sleeves and the back. All I need are 2 fronts and a hood. She loved the buttons I picked out- silver flowers.

Can't say much else is going on. I'm still not able to drive, so I've been staying home and going a little stir crazy.

The Dangers of Tostitos...

2007-10-06T14:23:00.000-07:00

...or it's just not my year, this year. So far this year, I have slipped on a banana peel, had a serious reaction to squid, had my rear car window smashed by an errant golf ball by some idiot who thinks he's Tiger Woods, and to top it off, I am now unable to leave my house thanks to a Tostitio. Here's the story-

Monday, the maids came (I'm spoiled) and cleaned the house- vacuumed and such. My 12 yo DS is a total slob. The rug on his side of the kitchen table is littered with all kinds of food particles. I try to clean it up as often as possible, but DH lost the cord to the rechargeable vacuum!! So, Monday night, I ask DH to get out the Halloween decorations so I can start putting them up. He disappears into the black hole- our garage- and I am left playing food referee with the kids. Basically, this means telling them to get back into the kitchen with their food. DD tried to sneak Cheezits in, but got caught, and as I am sending her back to the kitchen, I notice that DS is trying to hide a snack from me. I tell him to get back into the kitchen. I notice DH struggling with a box, so I get up and head to the back door. That's when the Tostito's decided to stage an attack. I put my right foot down on one the size of a quarter that DS has obviously dropped, and my right leg goes shooting out in front of me. I land on the floor in a half split in extreme agony. DH rushes in and I tell him to call 911 because I think I broke my leg. Ambulance arrives, good friend arrives and takes kids upstairs, and I am whisked away to the ER. At 41, I haven't done splits in over 20 years. Morphine, Toradol and Phenergan ease the pain. X-rays reveal no broken bones. I'm sent home on crutches and "good drugs."

So, I have been housebound ever since. It hurts to drive. It hurts to sit. It hurts to lay down. It hurts to walk. I have been doing mindless knitting and crochet to pass the time. At the rate I am going, all my holiday knitting might be done by Thanksgiving. "Always look on the bright side of life..."

It's Amazing...

2007-09-23T06:42:00.001-07:00

...how bad you write when you are tired. My last post is awful. I think it was the three hours of sleep the night before. I kept myself up all day- no nap- so I slept well last night.

Road Trip- a friend adn I are heading out to Austin mid-October to join in a Knit Out at Borders. We think it will be a great trip. To make it easier on ourselves, and because we plan to have a few at dinner, we are spending the night. She's going to leave her car at my house, and I hope the bad golfer doesn't get her car like he got mine. Funny thing is, they are starting beginners classes at the club, and I would pay for this gut to go. It's cheaper than replacing my car's windshields every so often. I could aslo clean out the garage, but then I would have to dump my stash.

One fo my Knit Sistahs over at LSSK asked me to make her a pair of socks and autograph them because I got on the Harlot's blog. Any ideas??

Yarn Harlot in Houston!!

2007-09-21T16:24:00.000-07:00

Yup, the Yarn Harlot made it to Houston, and was absolutely fantastic. Went with a good knitter friend, and we had a blast. First we went to Chili's and had dinner- with margaritas (one each)- and drove over to the venue. We were giggling like maniacs. We sat near my neighbor, another Harlot fan. I won a lovely door prize before the talk, too. It was a scarf pattern with the yarn. 100% cashmere yarn. I was being stalked in the parking lot for the yarn. Usually I'm the one doing the stalking!

The talk itself was hysterical. We laughed so hard. We were practically howling by the end of it. I may have howled when she told us about a comment she had from an elderly lady. Then we went and had our books signed and pics taken. Still can't figure out how to download pics very well, so hopefully next time. I found out she was going to be in Atlanta the following night, and almost went on a road trip to visit my sis in Atlanta just so I could see the Yarn Harlot again. Glad I didn't- over 700 people showed up!!

As for the spider soaps, let me explain- first and foremost, my family is a huge Halloween fan. My sister was born on Halloween. So we celebrate in a big way. Our house gets decorated, I carve pumpkins, we have a Halloween tree. Get the picture? Well, this year for my sis's birthday, I am making soap for her and her kids. I saw the spiders and thought they would be great to embed in the soap. So, when the Yarn Harlot wrote about being terrified of a spider in her shower- the one that turned out to be her hair- I knew what I was going to do with those spiders. Living in Texas, spiders are the least of our worries. Scorpions, water moccasins, and hurricanes are a lot scarier. In fact, spiders are nature's way of keeping down the mosquito population in Houston. Good thing, too, with all the West Nile virus and such. So, spiders don't scare me. If they get too bothersome, a whack with a shoe keeps them in line.

But there is something more about my morbid sense of humor, and it has to do with birthdays. Sis was born Halloween, Mom was born the Ides of March (when Caesar was killed) and I was born Friday the 13th. No joke. My daughter was due close to Halloween, but came 9/22, thereby breaking with tradition. But she was born on her great-grandfather's birthday. And, she was born between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and this year her birthday falls on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. We did celebrate early. So, you can imagine the fun we have with birthdays. My son was born on May 5th, Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Independence Day. Occasionally mine falls on Mother's Day and my hubby's falls on Father's Day, so we have lots of fun with birthdays around here. And, one of my husband's cousins gave birth earlier this year on our wedding anniversary (15 years!!).

My Knitting McGyver Badge- Level II

2007-09-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

This is how I may have earned this badge. I was substituting at my fav HS. They had installed new A/C's that year, and nobody could make them work properly. If one zone was hot, another was freezing. Science was always hot. One of the science teachers asked if I had an extra barrette, so I loaned her mine, not realizing it was the only one in my bag. I did have a pair of bamboo knitting needles, though. A couple of quick twists later, my hair was up. And, yes I did walk around all day with a knitting needle stuck in my hair!! None of the kids said a word. I guess they were afraid that if I could put my hair up with one needle, then 2 needles would make me dangerous. On the down side- I couldn't knit on my break because I couldn't find the needle. Absent-minded professor- forgot the darn thing was in my hair!!!

And if you're wondering- I did cry at the bus stop as the bus was pulling away. I'm a big softy when it comes to my kids. Ask me tomorrow about our afternoon adventures in riding the bus as a Kindergartener. It's a long one, so I'll save it!

School Starts Tomorrow

2007-08-26T18:04:00.000-07:00

I still have some sanity left, so I think I may be fine. But, I've had a huge reality check concerning my DD- my baby. I think I am going to cry at the bus stop. Friday at meet the teachers, I was tearing up, and today talking with a friend, I started all over again. It's gonna be a tough morning. I am having lunch with another friend, so that may help. Unfortunately, all my teacher friends go back to work tomorrow, too.

So besides lunch, what am I planning to do??? I plan to get my knitting together and start all those holiday projects. I have socks to knit, and sweaters for everyone in the house except DS, who informed he doesn't want another one. He's 12 and I can understand- sorta. I also have quilts to quilt and birthday shopping for DD who turns 6 on 9/22. She has a Build-a-Bear leopard that is going to get a blue and white cheerleader outfit. Blue and white are her school colors, and yup, they are the Leopards. And, I've got patterns to type up- a Spider Guy one is in the works. And pumpkins to carve- I buy the carvable ones at Michael's. They last forever, and bounce. Thankfully no one has tried to smash them, but I have dropped them a few times. So, I am pretty much trying to keep myself occupied until 4 pm when I have to pick up DD at the bus stop.

Hanging in there

2007-08-22T15:37:00.000-07:00

Well, we are in the home stretch to the start of school. Due to the incompetency of the TX legislature, we had a lovely extended summer this year. They all have nannies- I don't. And my usual baby sitter got her driver's licence and we haven't seen her since! But come Monday, the little darlings start back to school.

DS is starting Middle School- 6th grade. He has been threatened that I will find new ways to embarrass him if he so much thinks about acting up. I basically have a pair of ripped jeans- accidentally, not intentionally- and I threatened to wear them with "granny panties" in front of his friends. I'm not a small woman. I shop at Lane Bryant, so you can imagine how well that is going over.

DD starts Kindergarten. We figured out it was possibly cheaper in the long run to have them spaced out- hopefully DS will have graduated college when DD starts. Everyone thinks I am going to be a mess at the bus stop that first day. Yeah, right. I cried when DS got on the bus for the first time, then I went home and went back to bed. I was hugely pregnant with DD. It was wonderful to have the house to myself, quiet and no one running in the room every 5 minutes to "check on me," or ask for juice (big bro won't get off the computer long enough to help his sis!). So, I will be celebrating big time. If you stop by my house, I may serve you a mimosa!! Until then, I feel like my sanity is slowly slipping away.

Penguin Quilts, too

2007-08-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile- over 30 days. My countdown clock is at 25 glorius days. School resumes and hopefully my sanity returns.

Anyway, As the title of this post suggests, I've been quilting. A friend of mine wanted to make a U of TX quilt for her son's best friend who graduated from there. Well, she is officially stitching the binding on as I type!! We "birthed" that quilt in about a week's time- taking time for lunch, the weekend and the occassional movie. And does this quilt have a little story:

We live in the Houston area. We could not find one yard of UT fabric anywhere- Plenty of A&M, but no UT. I had to go to Waco to take care of my mom while she was recovering from knee surgery. I found UT fabric there!! 3 different prints, to be exact, and this where it gets good. I called my friend and she said get 4 yards. I got 5 instead. We carefully cut and pieced the top and then layed the finished quilt top on the leftover UT fabric. We had just enough for the backing. Needless to say, that called for a quick celebration- ice cream!! SHe's thrilled. I think the recipient is going to love it, and her son can now stop grumbling about all the UT fabric in her house.

We are now onto different quilts for her grandkids. These will be so much easier because we don't have to do a lot of piecing like the UT quilt. But they will be fun, and the kids will love them.

As for knitting- I finished a pair of socks, and have been working on the MS3 and the Pacific Waves Shawl from elann.com. I've also got another pair of socks loaded up on the needles. Those stay in my purse for those long waits in various places around Houston.

Only 58 Days

2007-06-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

That's how many days are left until school resumes. My kids have officially driven me to the brink of insanity. They had a full out brawl in the back of the car today over nothing. So they are now in separate rooms "thinking" of the proper way to behave. I actually found a countdown clock I could personalize and put in the first day of school!!! That may keep me from the abyss...

As for knitting- it's all mindless now since every time I start to count, I get interrupted by those famous words "I'm telling!" I started a cardigan and have been working on baby hats and blankets. I've also done some beading. But nothing exciting is actually going on around here. So... nothing more to write about.

Tag, you're it

2007-06-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

Well, just got involved in a dishrag tag. Our teams are set, and I guess everything will get going soon. Can't wait to get started!!!

I've been knitting baby bibs like cray lately. No, I'm not pregnant, and no, I am not planning on getting pregnant. One of my good friends has a grandson, and I have been knitting bibs for him. My husband's cousin just had a baby, too. She was born on our 15th anniversary- such a smart girl. She gets a bib and an afghan, when I get them finished. It's summer, so I don't think she needs a blanket immediately.

Took a needlepoint class yesterday. I know how to needlepoint, but this one was for techniques to make this really great Texas piece based on vintage postcards. One of the suggestions for finishing it was a purse, so I am leaning in that direction. I'm not sure, though. We'll see.

I know posting has been few and far between, but I have an excuse. My mom, who lives in Waco, had knee surgery. I have spent the last 3 weeks taking care of her. Her house is sadly computer-free, and I had to go to the library to check my e-mail and such. It was just too much trouble to try to post anything. Anyway, I am home temporarily and hope to post a pattern or two in the next few days.

2007-05-20T15:19:00.000-07:00

Eagle Dishcloth

Go Cypress-Falls Eagles (Houston, Texas)- need I say more?

Supplies:
Sz US 7 needles (I knit loose, so I use sz US 5 or 6)
Worsted weight kitchen cotton

CO 38 stitches

Knit 6 rows
Row 7 K4 P30 K4
Row 8 K
Row 9 K4 P17 K1 P12 K4
Row 10 K6 P1 K4 P1 K1 P1 K2 P1 K21
Row 11 K4 P16 K2 P1 K2 P1 K1 P2 K2 P3 K4
Row 12 K7 P1 K1 P1 K1 P1 K1 P2 K1 P2 K2 P1 K1 P1 K15
Row 13 K4 P6 K1 P2 K1 P1 K1 P1 K2 P1 K11 P3 K4
Row 14 K8 P13 K1 P4 K1 P1 K10
Row 15 K4 P5 K1 P1 K19 P4 K4
Row 16 K8 P20 K10
Row 17 K4 P6 K19 P5 K4
Row 18 K9 P18 K11
Row 19 K4 P7 K18 P5 K4
Row 20 K9 P17 K12
Row 21 K4 P4 K1 P3 K17 P5 K4
Row 22 K9 P16 K5 P1 K7
Row 23 K4 P2 K2 P5 K16 P5 K4
Row 24 K9 P15 K5 P3 K6
Row 25 K4 P2 K2 P1 K20 P5 K4
Row 26 K9 P19 K2 P2 K6
Row 27 K4 P2 K4 P1 K4 P1 K13 P5 K4
Row 28 K9 P14 K4 P5 K6
Row 29 K4 P3 K22 P5 K4
Row 30 K9 P22 K7
Row 31 K4 P3 K22 P5 K4
Row 32 K9 P21 K8
Row 33 K4 P4 K10 P2 K8 P6 K4
Row 34 K10 P7 K3 P9 K9
Row 35 K4 P6 K8 P1 K1 P1 K7 P6 K4
Row 36 K10 P7 K3 P7 K11
Row 37 K4 P7 K8 P2 K6 P7 K4
Row 38 K12 P15 K11
Row 39 K4 P8 K14 P8 K4
Row 40 K13 P12 K13
Row 41 K4 P10 K11 P9 K4
Row 42 K15 P7 K16
Row 43 K4 P13 K5 P12 K4
Row 44 K
Row 45 K4 P30 K4
Row 46 K
Row 47-51 Knit

BO

Copyright 2007, Terri Brimm, Knitted Penguin Designs
Items made from this design not to be sold without owner’s permission.

Here's another pattern for you, in time for Independence Day, graduations, eagle fanatics, whatever. Sorry about the pic, but I think I need a new camera. I could have used a lighter color, but the school colors are green and gold. Of course, I no longer sub there, but still, it's a fun design, and I would make it again for any one of the kids who treated me respectfully.

Keep a lookout. I might be posting more patterns as the months go by. I've got some ideas, and lots of time on my hand right now. Keep on knitting!!!

Feeling Sluggish

2007-05-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

Since my last post, Mom's Day has come and gone, my birthday was the same day, so double the presents and attention!! I loved every minute of it. And because I am such a penguin fanatic, DH overloaded me with penguin stuff from lamps to signs to figurines and a few t-shirts. The kids were very good, too. I also got a couple of gift cards that I spent at Knitpicks.com. Gotta love their Options set. My in-laws are sending me a gift certificate from there, too, so I can go crazy and hopefully get all the little extras I don't have- the entire set of circular needles!!!! I have the binder and the interchangeable circs.

All's quiet on the Houston front, so I think I'll go steal a few minutes of knitting time. Wish I had more to write, but since quitting my job, I've been a slug.

Belated Happy B/day

2007-05-07T06:09:00.000-07:00

Forgot to mention that my DS turned 12 on the 5th of May- Cinco de Mayo. He missed his granddad's b/day by one day. All I can think of is the 12 hours of labor, 2 epidurals (the first one was misplaced) and the forceps to help ease that big head out- ouch. He's now at the point where I have to threaten him to take showers and the teenage years are looming. Every once in awhile, puberty rears it's ugly head- the crankiness, the noise, and the odor. Boys stink, literally. He did smell so sweet in the beginning, except for that toxic poop that is now toxic gas that he delights in delivering at the most inconvient times.

DS is actually a good kid. He's smart, reads all the time, and is heading into 6th grade where he'll be in the advanced level classes. He's also a whiz at computer games, and tormenting his younger sister. Gotta love him- and we do!!

A Pattern, As Promised

2007-05-06T17:27:00.000-07:00

I know I promised this one before Easter, but hubby has been gone, so... blame him;-)

Bunny Face Dishcloth

This one is for my DD. I made her a bunny face soap and it needed a washcloth to go with it.

Materials:
Worsted Weight Kitchen Cotton in your child’s favorite color
Sz. US 6 needles or size to make a farily firm cloth. I use US sz. 5s because I knit very loosely.

Cast on 40 stitches.
Rows 1-6 Border, either garter (knit all rows) or seed (odd rows- K1 P1 across, even rows- P1 K1 across)
Row 7 B4 P32 B4
Row 8 B4 K32 B4
Row 9 B4 P32 B4
Row 10 B4 K32 B4
Row 11 B4 P11 K10 P11 B4
Row 12 B4 K10 P12 K10 B4
Row 13 B4 P8 K16 P8 B4
Row 14 B4 K6 P4 K1 P10 K1 P4 K6 B4
Row 15 B4 P4 K7 P1 K8 P1 K7 P4 B4
Row 16 B4 K3 P4 K2 P3 K1 P6 K1 P3 K2 P4 K3 B4
Row 17 B4 P3 K6 P2 K2 P1 K4 P1 K2 P2 K6 P3 B4
Row 18 B4 K3 P8 K1 P8 K1 P8 K3 B4
Row 19 B4 P3 K26 P3 B4
Row 20 B4 K3 P3 K6 P2 K4 P2 K6 P3 K3 B4
Row 21 B4 P3 K11 P4 K11 P3 B4
Row 22 B4 K3 P11 K4 P11 K3 B4
Row 23 B4 P3 K26 P3 B4
Row 24 B4 K4 P24 K4 B4
Row 25 B4 P4 K24 P4 B4
Row 26 B4 K5 P7 K1 P6 K1 P7 K5 B4
Row 27 B4 P5 K6 P3 K4 P3 K6 P5 B4
Row 28 B4 K6 P5 K3 P4 K3 P5 K6 B4
Row 29 B4 P6 K5 P3 K4 P3 K5 P6 B4
Row 30 B4 K8 P4 K3 P4 K3 P4 K7 B4
Row 31 B4 P7 K5 P1 K6 P1 K5 P7 B4
Row 32 B4 K8 P16 K8 B4
Row 33 B4 P8 K16 P8 B4
Row 34 B4 K9 P14 K9 B4
Row 35 B4 P9 K14 P9 B4
Row 36 B4 K10 P12 K10 B4
Row 37 B4 P10 K12 P10 B4
Row 38 B4 K9 P14 K9 B4
Row 39 B4 P9 K14 P9 B4
Row 40 B4 K8 P16 K8 B4
Row 41 B4 P8 K7 P2 K7 P8 B4
Row 42 B4 K7 P8 K2 P8 K7 B4
Row 43 B4 P7 K3 P2 K3 P2 K3 P2 K3 P7 B4
Row 44 B4 K7 P3 K2 P3 K2 P3 K2 P3 K7 B4
Row 45 B4 P6 K4 P2 K3 P2 K3 P2 K4 P6 B4
Row 46 B4 K6 P4 K2 P3 K2 P3 K2 P4 K6 B4
Row 47 B4 P6 K4 P2 K3 P2 K3 P2 K4 P6 B4
Row 48 B4 K6 P4 K2 P3 K2 P3 K2 P4 K6 B4
Row 49 B4 P6 K4 P2 K3 P2 K3 P2 K4 P6 B4
Row 50 B4 K6 P3 K2 P3 K4 P3 K2 P3 K6 B4
Row 51 B4 P6 K3 P2 K3 P4 K3 P2 K3 P6 B4
Row 52 B4 K6 P3 K2 P3 K4 P3 K2 P3 K6 B4
Row 53 B4 P6 K7 P6 K7 P6 B4
Row 54 B4 K6 P7 K6 P7 K6 B4
Row 55 B4 P6 K6 P8 K6 P6 B4
Row 56 B4 K7 P4 K10 P4 K7 B4
Row 57 B4 P32 B4
Row 58 B4 K32 B4
Row 59 B4 P32 B4
Row 60 B4 K32 B4
Rows 61-64 Knit or Seed stitch
Bind off and weave in ends.

Copyright 2007, Terri Brimm, Knitted Penguin Designs
Items made from this design not to be sold without owner’s permission.

Why I Quit My Job Today

2007-05-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

10. Burn out

9. Kids are getting worse every year- rude and crude.

8. Cussed out by a kid that heard only 1/2 of a private conversation that I was having with another teacher. Did I mention that the conversation was private???

7. Harassed by another kid who knew he wouldn't get suspended because he had maxed out his days. I do not need this kid telling me I need Jenny Craig- it's none of his business

6. Both kids above would not be disciplined because they are special ed, and know they can get away with anything.

5. No support from administration. They let all the kids get away with anything and everything.

4. Having to cover auto tech, ag, shop, and boys PE, which I didn't sign up for!!!

3. Did I mention no support from administration??

2. Seriously cutting into my knitting time.

And the number one reason I quit my job-

Taking out my frustration on my own kids and making them cry for no good reason.

Banana Peels and Squids

2007-03-14T07:24:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted. I've been busy. Now about the title-

Banana Peels- I work at a local high school part time. Basically, I'm a substitute teacher. Most days I enjoy my job. Then there are those days when the kids are complete morons. A few weeks ago was one such day. One of those morons left a banana peel on the floor in front of the office. I was the one who slipped on it. I went crashing down to one knee. No injuries to report, just a little bruise to my knee and a big bruise to my ego. 20 minutes later, as I was walking to one of the classes I was covering, a group of the kids were standing around and one of the little jerks pops off and says "That was the one who slipped on the banana peel." Lots of laughter followed. Being the adult I am, and also being in a position of limited authority, I promptly turned around and let them know it was not funny, and second, they "were probably the ones who left the banana peel on the floor in the first place." Absolute silence, except for the coach passing by who was trying not to laugh.

Squids- This one is not as funny, and no morons were involved. Let me start off by saying that I have a seafood allergy. Every year, the biology department at the same HS does a squid lab, and they end it by making calamari. Somehow for the last few years, that is the day when I sub in other science classes. I always went home nauseous those days. This year, I was subbing in Bio. Since I am "just a sub," I usually get out of running the labs. So the first three classes had notes instead of the lab. 4th period came, and the co-teacher said she would be running the lab. Fine.... Herded the students down to the lab (no morons in this class- they are very good), and walked into the room. Eyes start watering, I feel like I am going to throw up, heart's pounding. I step out of the room, and the Science Dept. Chair sees me. I wave him over and tell him whats going on. He sends me to the nurse. My blood pressure was high, and my lips were tingling, a sign of an allergic reaction. I spent the rest of 4th in the nurses, got through 5th doped up on Benadryl, and went home at 6th (the regular teacher's off period). I took another dose of Benadryl and slept the afternnon away. I think this school is trying to kill me;-)

I've got some patterns for knitted dishcloths, and as soon as hubby shows me how to upload them, they'll be posted. Just in time for the other Spring holiday- you know the one with bunnies, not the plagues- I have a bunny face.

Time for a Holiday Rant and Conspiracy Theories

2006-12-06T08:17:00.000-08:00

Tis the season to.... beat the living crap out of each other, stand in line of 50 for 30 PS3's or Wii's or whatever, and to give someone somewhere a really good laugh about stupid Americans. Basically folks, it's the least wonderful time of the year, and very few of the people I've seen are actually going to be on Santa's good list. How did I get to be such a Scrooge?? Where to begin-

1. Our beloved Sheltie, Sam, who has been with us for 11 1/2 years, was put to sleep a week before Thanksgiving. He had stopped eating and drinking and was very miserble. Our DS, also 11 1/2, was devastated. DD, at 5, asked for another dog- sensitvity is not her strong suit. DD is the one who when she gets angry at me points out the gray hairs on my head (which she gave me!!).

2.The day after Thanksgiving, as my husband is putting up his tree (I'm Jewish, he's not), I turn on CNN, and see 2 grown men beating the (Thanksgiving) stuffing out of each other over who was in line first . This after all the hoopla of the above mentioned gaming systems and how people stood in line for hours to get on a list, or just get into the store. Folks- if there are 30 units available, and you are # 31, you might as well GO HOME!!! My neighbor stood in line for 4 hours to get on the waiting list for the Wii. She was #9 out of 10. Her son has already been given the system, so there will be nothing under the tree for him. Being Jewish, IF I had even bought the system for my son, I would have doled out each piece over the 8 nights- make the excitement last longer;-) (console the first night, electrical cord the last night)

3. Conspiracy Theory #1- The companies that make these hard to find toys/gaming systems actually have an adequate stock, but are holding it back just to get a good laugh at how much we are willing to pay for the stupid things, and to what lengths we will go to to get one- including fighting. After the holidays, these companies are going to flood the market with the systems, adn the price will go down dramatically.

4. Conspiracy Theory #2- All the video footage that is being shot of this holiday frenzy (read stupidity) is secretly being recorded by the Chinese and shown in some re-education center where they make these toys to show their fallen comrades how bad capitalism really is!! Someone is also getting a good giggle over the amount of tape and twist ties are on the dolls I buy for my DD. It takes major surgery to remove them from the box.

Rant over. If you are wondering about my plans for the rest of the year, remain hidden secretly laughing at all the stupidity out there- and despairing over the fact that there is no peace on earth, goodwill toward man, or woman.

What to Blog???

2006-11-13T16:48:00.000-08:00

I still have nothing to blog. I have to figure out how to upload my pics and patterns. Give me a few more days, and hopefully I'll have it all figured out.

Up and running

2006-11-12T18:36:00.000-08:00

Well, here goes- I'm blogging. Let's see how this works out. Maybe it will inspire me to create some more knitting patterns, and post the ones I've already created. More tomorrow...