Score!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!!