OrionJewel

2011-01-10T19:56:00.005-05:00

It's been awhile. I've been thinking about "the blog" on and off for some time, but surmised that no one reads it anyway, so why do it? Why bother? I logged on and started to read back through all the posts....The first thing I thought was, wow! things have changed so much. But more importantly, I realized that I had written about a lot of things that I didn't remember in such detail.

Blogs have become so popular and commonplace in our technologically savvy lives, that I no longer think you are special or "high tech" if you maintain one. I subscribe to a couple of them, which I read daily, and honestly, they bring much entertainment and enrichment to my life. Funny thing is, I don't know the folks that write them, but it feels like I do. They share just enough of their lives to make me feel like I'm sitting in their living room drinking tea, but not enough information to make me feel like I've overstayed my welcome. I find that refreshing. I think the reason I started my blog was the same as it is now that I am updating. To leave a written account of my life footsteps so that I may remember, and so that those who are interested can follow along.

2010 came and went in a hurry. Lots happened. In a nutshell..... My oldest daughter got engaged (technically late 2009) to whom she considers the "love of her life". My Molly graduated from High School. We had a big party to celebrate this fact. Chris finished residency and became a partner in a successful ER group in Alpena, MI. We transitioned to a new house and back to "Lake Living". Heather & Molly both started College. Piper started at a new school. There were sudden and tragic deaths in my circle that brought me to my knees. There was also a miracle baby that makes me so happy to think of her, I can hardly stand it. Her name is Alice. My sister and her husband parted ways, and I am so worried for their family. I am still in remission. For that, I am most grateful.

We brought in the new year mostly together. Heather & her love were together in Oxford, as they both had job obligations and couldn't travel North. Chris, Piper and I shared the Alpena house with My sister and her younglings. As a special surprise, Molly and her beau showed up late New Years Eve and shared champagne, lobster and steak dinner with all of us to bring the new year in properly. Chris provided an abbreviated firework display at midnight thanks to the very heavy fog. It was still amazing and I think we are off to a good start. I'm optimistic!

Love Ya Sis!!!

Catching up again, Part 1

2009-02-11T05:47:00.007-05:00

Ok, so I realize that I haven't been here for a while, but with good reason! There has been a lot going on, and I honestly have started to update twice, but both posts fell victim to the draft file, soon to be deleted I think.

First with the unpleasant, and then on to some more positive, hopefully comical blogging!

Back in October, I got some bad news on my health. I was diagnosed with Stage IV Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Cancer of the lymph nodes, and in my case, bone marrow) In my opinion, I think everyone has their own health issues - serious or not - and for the most part, they should be just that. Their own. I initially chose not to discuss this with anyone except IMMEDIATE family for many reasons which don't really matter now, because here I am telling you. It became clear after I started my treatment, that I wasn't going to be able to keep what I was going through to myself. For one thing, I've lost my hair despite being told that wouldn't happen with this type of treatment. Since my name is not Brittney, I figured that would warrant some explanation.... Also, I would never have guessed the amount of time spent on consults, tests, surgeries, recovering, more tests, and then the awful waiting for all the results.... repeat. The good thing, though, about spilling the beans is all the support I've received. Cards, and emails, hugs, good wishes, and even food from family, friends, and folks that I haven't talked to in years. To anyone who is reading, if you're one of those people who have reached out to me, Thank you so much. It has helped immensely to get through some of the "not so good" days!

Now, on to brighter and better things!

In early November, I think, we made the decision that we could all benefit from a vacation over the holidays. So, no matter what it took, we (Chris, mostly) decided to make that happen. One of the challenges we faced was - as usual - Raul, our dog. I seriously love him, he is my buddy, and a very very good dog for the most part. With that being said, I've got to bring some of his more negative attributes to your attention for you to fully understand what we were up against. He turns into a drooling, glassy-eyed, lip quivering, humping, idiot when around ANY other animals. He is also nearly uncontainable while in this state; monkey barking, scratching, and generally just intolerable. you can imagine what a 9 day stint in a kennel is like for him, and the staff.... We've tried everything to make him stop, but this has just gotten progressively worse over the years. So during the pre-vacation trip to the vet, Chris & Dr. Joe decided that maybe neutering an 11 year old dog with a history of self mutilation under stress was a good solution. I, in a weak moment, agreed. Those of you who know that Raul once chewed off his own tail in a fit of itchy frustration and stress can probably guess how this turned out....Dudes, it was not pretty. Here's the proof:

Poor Rowie :( The good news is, he did finally heal (took about a month or so) and now he is a fat, lazy dog who is marginally better in the drippy, drooly, humpy department. The full effects of robbing his, well, manliness have not properly been tested, though.

In keeping with the Florida vacation schedule, we had an early Christmas here at home with Santa making his appearance on the 20th. Schlepping presents to Florida in luggage ( at $15 dollars per check on bag ) just didn't seem like a good idea. It was a nice day, and lended proof to my theory that any day is special if you make it so. It didn't need to be Dec 25 for us to celebrate our meaning of Christmas. Here are a few more pics ...

December 21 was Yule, or the Winter Solstice. Chris and I try to do something special on this day every year, as it marks the coming of longer days and shorter nights. Spring is on it's way, and in Michigan, this is definitely cause for celebration! This year our festivities were a bit abbreviated, though, as neither one of us had packed yet, and there was much running around to do. We did conquer and divide. I did the running and packing, and he took down ALL the Christmas decorations. I don't think I ever properly thanked him, but I think that was one of the best Christmas treats I got! Not having to come home to so much to clean up and put away"Christmas" after a vacation was so nice....

Next up, DISNEY WORLD!

Stay tuned..............

Jonatha Brooke

2008-12-09T11:29:00.003-05:00

Many Thanks to my wonderful husband for taking me to see Jonatha Brook in concert at The Ark in Ann Arbor as an early birthday present. This video is not the performance we saw, but we did see her singing alone without a band and she was remarkable! Even better than in this one.

GREAT BIG SEA!

2008-09-11T16:48:00.002-04:00

This is Great Big Sea at the Michigan Theater - Sept 10, 2008

And this:

I know....I know....

2008-09-11T15:22:00.011-04:00

Ok, I've gotten a couple of requests for a blog update. I'm a little behind on the blog front, but here it is in a nutshell.

Heather graduated! We are very grateful, oh, and proud too! Here she is getting ready

And by the time I realized I didn't have a single picture of her alone in her cap and gown, she was doing this....

Here's the graduate on the way back from the podium.

The Happy Family.....

Molly was missing, because she was part of the band that suffered through endless repetitions of Pomp and Circumstance. Heather actually played too, but was able to sit with the rest of the graduating class for the ceremony. Now the band is down one Tuba player.....

Next, we had a PARTY....Woo Hoo.... To celebrate said great accomplishment (and our gratefulness - is that a word?)

More happy family....

Fun was had by all - I hope - and Heather made off with a tidy sum with which to start her journey into adulthood. We'll leave the amount undisclosed, and the journey too. I'll let her tell you about that.

July was mostly uneventful. Piper and I did lot's of beach combing, and frog hunting. Molly looked for and found a job and Heather was busy starting aforementioned journey. Chris spent month in the PICU with work weeks pushing 90 hours. We didn't see much of him, and he didn't see much of his eyelids. Poor guy.

August marked the beginning of marching band season. Those of you who have read this blog know that this also our chance to get to know the ER staff really well. Just to throw us off, this year Molly started out with the injuries early. While taking a lunch break at Coldstone Creamery, she somehow managed to close the index finger of her right (trumpet) hand in the HINGE SIDE of an industrial type steel door.

Yes, the door closed and LATCHED shut with her finger stuck in the hinge side. Picture the following... latch and handle on right side of door - right hand stuck in left (hinge side) of door. What would you do?

Hint....her escape involved using her foot. In the words of my favorite band, Great Big Sea, I'll spare you all the gruesome details, and just relate the end:

This is about 4 weeks after the "accident"

Hard to see in the photo, but there is no more nail there. (That turned out to be the least of the problems) But the good doctor says it should be looking pretty in about 6 months.

Stay tuned for our next episode of "ER"!

Piper turned 8!

Still having a hard time with that one....

There's lots more. We discovered Tawas this summer and saw some really great live music. Chris grew monster hops and brewed some REALLY good beer. (It's gone already) I'll try to post some pics next time -

All Grown Up.....

2008-06-25T10:39:00.003-04:00

Today is the day you've been waiting for.....

Happy Birthday Heather!

LYM

Marital Congress?

2008-06-16T20:11:00.002-04:00

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Superior

Take the test!

Took the test from Beth's Blog.

I do know what marital congress is, by the way.....

The Bees Knees

2008-05-08T09:38:00.008-04:00

The Bees Knees.....

They have arrived! After a very wacky winter, and the demise of 8 out of 10 of Chris' hives, the Apiary is off to a fresh start! On Monday morning, we headed out to Lima, OH (Lima as in the bean, not Peru) to fetch 5 packages of honey bees who were hungrily waiting for us after their cross-country journey from California. Stupidly, I took the camera with us, but took no pictures of any part of this phase of our adventure....

Anyway, here is Piper painting the outside of the screened box with sugar water. You could actually see the bees "tongues" on the side drinking it up. They were really hungry!

Here is Chris on his way out to set the bees up in their new 'digs'. He has somehow managed to convince me to get close enough to actually take some pictures....

As you can see, though, I'm not that close. (Had a bad bee experience once) Piper, is also sitting next to me at this point. These bees, New World Carniolians, we've been told are quite nice and so the hiving process, should be free of stinging accidents.

Ok, here we go! The metal can is full of sugar water, which Chris told me was just about empty. Now the box is open and the bees are free. Why do they stay, you ask? The Queen is still in the box. She is kept separate from the rest of the bees in a cage which is plugged with a bit of sugar candy.

Here she is....

Her majesty is inside the screen box which you can just barely see in the picture. The candy is nearly gone, but Chris will make sure to break the rest out so that the Queen can come out and get busy.

Sometime soon, she will go on her one and only flight - the mating flight. Where she will 'get what she needs' to settle in and make lots of ba-bees! You see all those bees on Chris' hand? He was totally laughing because the bees were licking the honey off of him. Me? I'd be freaking out! In fact, at this point, Piper was no longer sitting next to me, she was on top of me and pretty much begging to go back to the house. So, not wanting to temp fate (I'm just not a bee person) That is what we did. It was cool though for a while.

Chris? He was out there all day....Just look at how happy he is!

Anyone need any honey?

Story time!

2008-03-02T13:30:00.005-05:00

Piper has given the words 'captive audience' a new meaning!
I was lucky enough to catch her and fluffball enjoying the "Legend of the Sleeping Bear Dunes" with my camera.

Happy Birthday Molly!

2008-02-04T08:58:00.000-05:00

Sweet 16 !

I know how much you love to have your picture taken.....

Come on.....just one little smile? You know you want to....

I think Nanna would still hold you if she could! (What, is that a smile?)

You've been waiting a long time for a red car, haven't you?

Happy Birthday Doodle, I love ya!

A New Year

2008-01-18T21:08:00.000-05:00

I make resolutions. I think it's a good thing. A starting place, or inspiration for personal growth and change. Sometimes, I make a goal, and stick to it - sometimes, I don't. I try not to stress out about that, and look at it as "well at least I tried". This year, I made resolutions, revised them, and then abandoned them altogether. I am not proud of this, but the entire process was not without some educational value. And I have these thoughts, which in the process of creating resolutions, were pondered at the turn of the new year:

Learned (or reinforced) in 2007:
Don't take your health for granted - you never know when your number might be called
Don't take other folks' health for granted, you never know when their number might be called
Choose your battles - and stick to the ones that will make the most difference.
The most modern technology is not always good.
Doing what is best is not always easiest.
A teenager with a car ,while terrifying, is convenient.
Having no money is hard, having a little money is hard too. (alot? can't wait to tell you)
The older I get, the faster my children grow.
Knitting makes my life easier. Spinning does too.
Audiobooks - Where have you been my whole life?
My husband loves me, even when I'm at my worst.
My kids love me, even when they tell me I'm the worst.
My niece and nephew love me because I always have mints in my purse ( I suspect they would forgive me if I faltered, though)
I still miss my dad.
Hamsters spend all their time plotting an escape.
Marching band is not safe. (don't ask)

This year is bound to be one full of changes. Heather and Molly both reach milestone birthdays - 16 & 18. Molly will be getting a drivers license and Heather, graduating this June. I am hoping that college is on the horizon as well, for her. It seems almost unbelievable that we are at this point in life..... I think I'm in denial. I did order the grad. announcements,cap and gown,etc. - just haven't started planning the party yet. I'm sure I'll get there. At the moment, graduation vs. driving cause equal amounts of heart palpitations - but these are my challenges for 2008. As well as many more, I suspect. It's all good. (or at least, character building). Here's to the New Year!

Houston, we have a problem!

2007-12-20T09:20:00.001-05:00

This is the problem:

I've some UFO's to confess. I know I've been bad - I've started project after project without a second thought. I've abandoned my socks, neglected the Samus, and even dumped intended Christmas scarves into the "catch-all" yarn basket. Here's the breakdown:

Partial "twilled rib" sock (forgotten after Socktoberfest)
One and 1/8 of "waving lace" socks (abandoned sometime in July I think)
One and 3/4 plain sock ( This one has been in the car)
One different plain sock ( I think I lost the rest of this yarn)
2 (yes 2) Stripey scarves (once I figured out Continental knitting I was done)
1 Samus Sleeve partially done (already frogged twice) *sob*
The very beginning of one mitten (I really like these)

I know you must be thinking I am a knitting failure. I mean, someone who can't even finish a silly pair of socks can hardly call herself a Knitter. (take note of the capital K) And TWO unfinished scarves? Scarves are beginners fodder - yet mine sit there looking more like elongated wash cloths. It's not all bad though. I have isolated the cause of this knitting disturbance and come to the conclusion that I might not really be a Knitter......

I am a Spinner!!!!!!!!!! (note the Capital S)

This is my Kromski Minstrel. Many, many thanks to my husband for getting me such a beautiful birthday gift. I absolutely love it and have been spinning some really nice white merino. I bought myself a belated birthday gift of a few ounces of gray baby alpaca roving, and I can not wait to spin it!

So what do you think? Any knitting in my future? Mmm, not for a while!

State Finals

2007-11-07T13:14:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the Grand Blanc High School Marching Band!

They traveled to Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday to compete in the 2007 MCBA State Championship and placed sixth with a score of 81.1!!!

Updates...

2007-10-21T12:16:00.000-04:00

One week down with no ER visits! Woohoo! (I hope that being grateful is not tempting the fates, believe me, I'm not being smug or taking anything for granted!)

Molly's knee is better. It was not as bad as we expected, but it is still an impressive injury. The Ortho Doc labeled it a "second degree tear of the MCL" with some effusion (fluid build-up) and a possible tear of the meniscus, which is kind of like the padding under your knee cap. We had the MRI Friday to determine the exact status, but haven't heard any results thus far. I am thinking that no news is good news. (Again, no fate tempting here....) Suprisingly, he really didn't give her any restrictions other than not to push it and to know that if she's not careful, she could do further damage. Duh...
With that lack of restriction, and a really good brace, Molly was determined to be on the field marching last night and nothing we could say or do was going to stop her. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) the last roadblock she had to overcome was Hutch, and he wasn't so easy to convince. Despite her best attempts, Molly watched the performance with the Pit Crew from the sidelines, even more determined to get back out there for next week's competition. I think she'll do it. It's kind of unnerving that the band director has final say at our house these days....

(Shout out to Theresa Kelly for the photo)

Socktoberfest at the Rainforest was great. There were lots of people, food, dessert, and best of all, yarn. Everyone got a goody bag full of knitterly delight and several hours to sit and enjoy it.

Even The Flint Journal was there to document the event. You can read the article here at M-Live. Thank you Phyll, and everyone else for all your hard work! It was a lot of fun.

Spinning class at Heritage Spinning and Weaving last weekend was Awesome! This first class was primarily focused on learning about different kinds of fiber and how they are prepared for spinning. We all received a hand made drop spindle and plenty of wool to practice with.

It was great fun and I am totally addicted! I bought more fiber on the way out to practice with and I am happy to say it is all spun and plied. I couldn't resist the calling of the wheel. It didn't take long after getting the hang of the drop spindle to figure out that the wheel works exactly the same way except you don't have to stop every few seconds to spin and wind.

Next class we spend spinning on the different kind of wheels that the shop sells. I know what will be on my Christmas list this year!

What a week....

2007-10-13T20:24:00.000-04:00

The folks in the ER at POH Clarkston have grown to love us (or maybe not). We've spent a lot of time there the last few days.

Let me start by saying Grand Blanc Marching Band is standing #1 in the state. (Well maybe not right this second, I haven't checked the scores from today) But if not #1, definitely in the top 3. Those of you who know what goes into a successful marching band know how much time and dedication the kids put in. It's impressive. We started out with band camp in August and have done or thought of little else since then. (I say we, but I really mean Molly). The band is awesome! A few days ago, Molly was running on the field and was cut off by another student. In an effort to "save the trumpet,' which was in her right hand when she started to fall to the ground, she swiveled around to break her fall and landed hard on her left hand. That was a bad thing. Wet grass = bad fall = bad hand.
Off to the ER we went.
The good news was, it was not broken. The bad news was, it really hurt anyway - for days and days. Did I mention to you the story of the missing keys on the morning I was trying to get to the ER? No? I'll save that for some day when I can't think of anything to write about....

Ok, so days go by and things are improving. No one is sick or injured. I get to knit/ listen to my current audio book. Life is good. Just when I'm thinking how great I am for getting so much done, Saturday morning, Heather comes downstairs and informs me that she can't see. What do you mean, you can't see? I say.
I don't know, everything in my peripheral vision is smeary and I have this really bad headache that is getting worse and worse. This is where having a husband that is a physician is a mixed blessing. We all know what these symptoms COULD mean( but probably don't) and you have to ignore that 'probably don't' part and go with the COULD.
Off to the ER we went.
The nurses and everyone are now looking at us with a spark of recognition in their eyes. A shot, an IV, a prescription, a diagnosis of 'migrane', and a couple hours later, we are on our way only a little worse for the wear.

This is the time I start to think, ok, that's it. We've had our dose of ER for the rest of the year. I can relax now and not worry about anything else happening. Life is good. That was really stupid.

Yesterday, I get a frantic call from one of the marching band directors that Molly has 'hurt her knee' and I need to come and get her. Hurt her knee? Can she walk? What happened? Never mind, I'll be right there. Luckily, Chris was home and was able to go with me. We arrived to find Molly not only hurt, but in absolute agony and unable to move any part of her leg.

Off to the ER we went.

The staff greeted us with recognition.
The good news is, we got in and out in a hurry. Everyone knew who we were.
The bad news is Molly's knee is really bad I think. We won't know for sure until the swelling goes down and and Ortho Doc can see her. But it's not looking good. Grand Blanc Marching Bobcats are going to carry on without her, and Molly is very, very sad.

I've learned.

Be prepared. Don't tempt the fates. Be nice to the ER staff.

Keep your fingers crossed for Molly.

And the winner is....

2007-10-01T13:17:00.001-04:00

For the last three weeks, during the Back to Basics class, the UPS guy has shown up with boxes of (what I assume was) yarn. Carrie would then take these boxes to the back room, out of our line of vision, and loudly proclaim how soft and lovely were the contents of said boxes. Mind you, they didn't put any of this yarny goodness out for us to see, or experience for ourselves. (Well, I did get a little peek at the sock yarn - but just a little one). It was all for the Grand Opening. And, by the way, if you spend enough money, we'll enter your name into the grand prize drawing! How is that for a little temptation?

Earlier in the week I had made arrangements with my sister to ditch the kids (all of them) and head up to the store together. She couldn't make it until late in the evening, so I went in the morning without her. There was no way after all that waiting I was going to settle for 'what was left' of the new sock yarn. I picked this:

Lorna's Laces - Shepherd Sock Seaside & Sassy Stripes

And this:

Zitron - Trekking XXL

I would have chosen more, but I actually had a rational moment when I realized that we still need to eat and buy gas for the rest of the month. Will put it away for me so that my Sister wouldn't know I cheated and came early without her. Unbelievably, when I went back with her later that evening, I didn't buy more. I just paid for my yarn (and because I spent enough, I got my name in the drawing) and left. But not without having a really weird conversation with Will about sex education and kids....but that's another story.

Friday afternoon, after spending all morning painting marching band props (also another story) I got the best call. I was the winner for the Grand Prize! Woo Hoo! This is what I won:

Very cute knitting bag
enough yarn to make a purse & Pattern
Needles for pattern (Addi circs and bamboo straights)
Stitch Markers (2 kinds)
needle holders (2 kinds)
tapestry needles & case
Pattern and yarn for decorative felted pumpkin
Pattern and yarn for Halloween sock (teeny)
project bag
2 gift cards for 4 sessions of round table knitting at the store
knitting Christmas ornament

A fabulous end to a VERY LONG week! Now, if I just had time to knit.....The only thing I've done in a week has been homework for BTB class.

As a side note: Grand Blanc Marching Band kicked ass at Trenton on Saturday . They took first place, all three caption awards and are currently standing 2nd place in the state. On to Linden next weekend!

(This was practice Friday afternoon)

Knitters Anonymous

2007-09-23T16:20:00.000-04:00

I am not sure how this happened. It started with two stitches ( I would do purls, but preferred knits). Pretty soon, two were just not enough and before I knew it I was doing YO's, K2 tog's, and SSK's. I even started knitting in public! From there I progressed to cables and then lace charts. I suspected I might have a problem so I took a class, but that only led to more and more knitting. (Not to mention, hanging out with other people who knit too...) I started to realize that there were dishes in the sink, laundry piled up and general disorder in the house on a regular basis. When I couldn't stand to look at the mess any more, I went to the yarn store. All tasks I performed for family members were preceded with "ok, just a second", "just let me finish this round/part" or "can you wait? I'm counting." The last straw was last weekend. RAVELRY. I have fallen, and I can't get up.

Reveling in Ravelry

2007-09-17T10:19:00.000-04:00

It came on Friday - my invitation to Ravelry, that is. Since I've already cashed in my invite, I can't hang out with the impatient Alpaca. Last time I checked though, there were about 12,000 people in line behind me. That makes me one of the elite...

Now since it was the weekend I haven't had a lot of time to check out the wonder that is Ravelry. From what I did get a chance to see, I think it is quite clever, and I can't wait to see more. Just from the blogs of the Keyboard Biologist and Yarn-A-Go-Go (I picked two randomly) I think I should be prepared to be completely and totally hooked.

Lots to do today - must finish my homework for class tomorrow!

Back to Basics

2007-09-13T16:25:00.000-04:00

I started another class Tuesday. It's the Ewe to You version of the 'Knitting Boot Camp' aptly named Back to Basics. It was lots of fun and very informative. Quite often, I don't learn anything at the classes I take. I have now attributed this to the 'cleaning your house for the housekeeper' syndrome (my mom used to do this - clean, that is, before the person she paid to do just that showed up). My problem with knitting classes is that I do a bunch of research on techniques, or the actual pattern that we will be working on and figure it all out ahead of time. This isn't necessarily all bad, as I have lots of time for chit-chat after the initial explanation is over. It's not all about the thing that you're making anyway - the company of others who share at least one thing in common with you and a couple of hours to knit without interruption is half the fun. I think this class is what I've been looking for, though, in the challenge department. We've got books and homework and such. Not to mention, Kathy said the magic words. "What do you want to learn?"

I'm making a list!

A Note on Pomatomus

2007-08-26T18:28:00.000-04:00

I like a challenge, but these socks are kicking my arse. I have started them three times now. Tried new yarn, different needles, and lastly a different size needles due to yarn overs that were the size of my head. I think maybe three's a charm, because after two days of knitting, I've actually made it to row 15. Whoo hoo...... I have read nothing but rave reviews (and cute stories) about this pattern from those with the worst 'second sock syndrome' who claim the second in the pair just flew off their needles and those who have knitted 3 or 4 pair and can't wait to make more. I must be doing something wrong, because after 6 rows or so, my hands are cramped and forearms sore from wrestling with this thing. Me thinks I'm a stone's throw from defeat.....We'll see.

Carrying on, for now, with some sturdy hand painted yarn (not trekking XXL 100- too crazy) metal needles (not bamboo), and size #1's (not#2's).

A Very Strange Summer

2007-08-15T16:20:00.000-04:00

It has been so dry. When it does rain, it's wierd like "Florida rain". I can look out the window and the sun is shining and it is raining - but only in the back yard. Several days ago, with thunderclouds looming above, I checked the weather and was delighted to confirm with the radar image that it was indeed going to rain. It was around 10am. I promptly made arrangements to go see a movie with Piper. (No warm sunshine, no guilt about sitting in a cool dark theater for the afternoon - Its a Michigan thing) Within moments of telling her we were going to see 'Underdog', the sky started to lift. No little sprinkles, no mist, no nothing. By the time we were out of the theater at 2, there wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was blazing hot - again. It was slightly overcast today. I did a little work in the garden - which is doing surprisingly well thanks to our sprinkler kicking on 3 times a day. It started to sprinkle A LITTLE at one point and I was so surprised at something wet falling from the sky, I thought a bird had pooped on me.

Next wierd event is this Japanese beetle thing. Late spring, I noticed these really pretty, iridescent beetles hanging out near our little wading pool. They were interesting enough to bother me to get online to see what they were. That's when I found out we were in trouble. (See link above) Within a very short period, they had taken over. Our grape vines, rasperry bushes and hops look like lace. Nasty little creatures they are. We discovered the beetle traps at Kmart somewhere toward the end of July. That's when I noticed our neighbors had the traps too.... Now disposing of the VERY FULL traps - that's another post. YUCK!

Weird weather, and bugs aside, this is my second post- drivers training summer. I have spent a lot of time A) fearing for my life at blinking red light left turns and B) enduring 50 minute journeys which normally take 25 (I prefer the latter to the former). Throw in a manual transmission and you have a recipe for gray hair and chest pain. Today, while turning left on a green light (Heather was driving) another car blew through the red light into the intersection going probably double the speed limit, the driver, talking away on her cell phone. Thank the fates, Heather saw her at the last minute and turned into the lane she wasn't blazing into. She kept her cool, I nearly crapped my pants seeing as how she would have plowed into my side of the car. We had the pleasure of catching up to her at the next red which she actually stopped for. She didn't even hang up the phone while I screamed at her out the window for nearly killing us.

Piper will not go out of the house. She doesn't want to go to the park, to the splash pad or to the beach. She does not want to shop or go to the library. She will barely play outside and won't even go in her pool. I am very distressed by this. Another strange aspect of this summer that I can totally not relate with or understand. I wasn't even allowed in the house when the sun was shining in the summer. I know it's different here and now, but this is a a tough phase. I hope the new school year will turn her around. We'll see. It's nearly here.

I think I'll go knit socks now. Nothing strange about that.

Rain, rain, please stay!

2007-08-05T19:30:00.000-04:00

It finally rained today. Not much - definitely not enough - but it did rain. It is so dry that the leaves are falling off the trees and the grass is like straw. Not just a little dry, but brown and possibly beyond repair for the summer. I don't think I've cut it since the second week in July ( not too sad about that). There are no mosquitoes either, which is quite strange (not complaining about that either). The question is, will we be making up for this sometime this fall or looking forward to record snowfalls this winter?

I finished the Interlacements - tiny toes socks.

This yarn was awesome! I absolutely loved working with it and also the way the color turned out. I used the fish scale pattern again but threw in some variations with a longer cuff and the star toe which I preceded with several rows of stockinette stitch so that you could see it a little better. They turned out quite nice!

Thanks to my Piper who modeled them for me. She also modeled her new smile....

She has lost 6 teeth in as many months and only 2 1/2 have grown back. If this trend continues, we are going to be eating a lot of soup!!

Finished Projects

2007-07-21T11:25:00.001-04:00

I've been productive....

Here are the finished Black and White socks. Made these from JaWoll superwash yarn. Note to self: The improvised star toe that I did on these socks was not good. This was accomplished by dividing toe stitches equally on to four needles and then k2tog at the end of every needle every other round to 8 stitches. It made it way too pointy (like a fish nose) and I don't imagine these will be too comfy in a pair of shoes. I am chalking these up to a learning experience. They are pretty though!

The 'Easter socks'

Doesn't the colorway remind you of Easter Eggs? Made from Online supersock yarn - Tropic. I started each one at the same point in the color progression, as you can see the colors line up all the way to the toe. However, I used the 'bulls-eye' (afterthought) heel pattern and obvioiusly didn't remember to pay attention to the starting point in the yarn. So the heel for each sock is ... um... unique.

Last but not least:

The 'Booga bag' Made from Noro and the result of the class that I took at Ewe to You yarn shop. This was my first felted thing, and I think it turned out pretty well. It did get a little bit smaller than I anticipated but is still the perfect size to put a small project in (socks) and tote it with me. I really like the colors as well. I'm keeping this project for me!!

That's it for now. Everything else I have is a long way from being done (except the hourglass socks) and I don't have a lot of ambition right now. I started new socks last night with the interlacements yarn, but I don't even know what I am going to do with those.

NEWS FLASH!

Chris just called - he's in Sheridan - and he wants me to visit! You know what that means? I have an excuse to go through Lansing where Thread Bare Fiber Arts Studio lives. Hmmmmmmm..... I may have just gained some ambition.

The Knitting Goddess

2007-07-19T20:11:00.000-04:00

I think the knitting Godess is mad at me. I'm not sure why. It could be that I just went on a 'vacation' and didn't knit a single stitch after my husband took the wrong road on the way there. I was, after all, not driving. I thought I should be knitting - he thought I should be navigating. He won. But I did try.... It could also be that I never- yes I said never - have knit a swatch to check my gauge. I've been knitting for just over a year now and have never done it. But I really don't knit much more than socks or mittens - do I really deserve the wrath of the Godess for that?

Why do I think there is a problem?

1) I haven't been able to knit anything with a chart without making at least one mistake per row. That doesn't amount to much progress, or at least progress that looks ok.

2) I am actually getting tired of knitting socks. I didn't think this would ever happen - really.

3) I really don't have any desire to go to my LYS.

4) I've been thinking about my sewing machine, and am actually caught up on housework ( if you don't count the closets)

On the other hand, this could be some weird side effect of that "spinning virus" (See previous post). Because my heart does quicken at the thought of a pile of roving. Hmmmmm.

Just keep knitting, just keep knitting, just keep knitting, knitting, knitting.

Got Class?

2007-07-11T11:35:00.000-04:00

It makes me happy when someone asks me what my plans are for the day and I can say "I have a class"...

Last Saturday was the second 'sock of the month' class at Beyond the Rainforest. I love that place. The classes are relaxing and I enjoy getting the chance to have some adult conversation. Especially adult knitting conversation. We learned the star toe which I put at the end of my hourglass sock. I wasn't crazy about the way it turned out, but I think I will like it better with a different sock pattern. Phyll, our fearless leader, got us all excited about next months sock which, to me, looked somewhat like a mock cable pattern. Not sure what yarn I'm going use for that one yet. I did buy some Interlacements -tiny toes which I am very excited about. So excited, though, that I don't think I'll be able to cast on and knit the cuff and then wait until next month for the pattern that we will be working on.

Yesterday I had a class(more like a private lesson as I was the only one there) with Cathy who is one of the owners of our brand new Grand Blanc yarn store Ewe to You Yarns. It was Great! I learned a couple of new techniques, got to sit in peace for two hours and knit, and had a very nice chat with the folks in the store. However, after 'class' I made the mistake of talking with Carrie who was sitting there with a pile of roving and her brand new spinning wheel making gorgeous yarn. She made me touch the silk and wool blend that she was working with and showed me what she was doing. I think I may now have a spinning virus. I haven't stopped thinking of all the possiblities spinning my own yarn would allow. maybe if I stay away long enough the 'bug' will go away. We'll see.....

Here is a picture of the "Booga Bag" that I'm working on

I'm using Noro yarn - Kureyon which is a pleasure to work with

This is my first felted project! Can't wait until it's done. I'm going to buy a zippered pillowcase today. I hear that's the best way to go.

School's Out For Summer

2007-06-18T16:53:00.000-04:00

It is the first Monday of summer vacation. I am already stressed out. We started driver education this morning at 8 sharp (well, not really sharp...we were late and had to stand in the back and face the scolding eyes of the five instructors). Molly was noncommital about being "excited" when we arrived there. But sometimes I forget that it is definitely not cool to be excited about ANYTHING except boys when you're 15. She was decidedly more upbeat when the day was over. She got to drive, along with two other teenagers in the car and they all survived. The schedule is insane, and sleeping in - the one thing I did have to look forward to - is now a joke. Class starts at 7am. Oh well.

Piper started her art class. She hated it. She claimed that everyone was staring at her and the teacher was swearing at them because they used too much paint. However, despite my disappointment that I may have just lost my 1 hour opportunity to knit on Mondays while waiting for the class to let out, I plastered a smile on my face and insisted that it couldn't have been THAT bad. She insisted that indeed it WAS that bad and she would not be going back. We'll see. I could have spent that 60 bucks on yarn and taken her to the park every Monday afternoon.

Knitting...well, I just keep plunking along one stitch at a time and try not to get too irritated when I have to count everything15 times while trying to explain where someones shoes are, what snacks are available, yes I'll drive you there and no, you can't spend the entire day with your boyfriend, etc.etc.

Counting down till September......

Missed Yarn Opportunity

2007-06-06T08:46:00.000-04:00

My husband is in Lansing without me. Normally, this would not be a problem, however, several weeks ago I discovered Thread Bear. An amazing yarn store which, I swear, is nearly as big as my house. I've only been there one time, but that was all it took. Since then, I've been trying to come up with a reason (for the non yarn addicts in my house - I don't need a reason) to get in my car and drive for an hour (one-way) and spend an extraordinary amount of money on something that is 1) not for the house 2) not for the kids 3) not a bill 4) not groceries. This would have been the perfect excuse. He is there for a seminar, I could sit in the yarn shop and wait for him to finish up around noon and then we could have a nice lunch together. Alas, he left before I could get the last kid on the bus.....

Oh well. The last days of school are now upon me. I am thinking that if I don't finish up some of my projects now, they may still be waiting for me come September when they all go back. I need to update the KIP list. I started my sock of the month class on Saturday, hence a new project. I do have one sock completely done but needed a little break so I started this cute little tote bag. It's about half done as well. Better get knitting.....

January 6 2009

2007-05-30T11:51:00.000-04:00

I was drinking my chai this morning and pondering the fact that my oldest daughter will soon be turning 17. Wow. Where to start? Seventeen is an awkward age, I think. It's not a milestone like starting school at five, becoming a teenager at 13, or "Sweet 16". You are not a child, and not an adult. People expect you to be responsible, but you're really not responsible for anything. You can drive a car, but you can't get a loan for one. You are required to learn about our government, and obey the laws, but you can't vote. I don't think I'd go back to 17 - no way.

I found this really cool calculator to find out (if your a math idiot like me) when someone will be exactly twice or half your age. In the case of Heather and I, this moment will occur on January 6, 2009. I will be 37 years, and 27 days old. Heather will be 18 years, 6 months and 15 days old, which is exactly how old I was when she was born. My.......how time flies.

Leaf Pattern Socks

2007-05-29T11:28:00.000-04:00

Here it is, an attempt to post a picture. Not a very good picture, but it's a beginning. Here are my leaf socks from the new Interweave Press sock book. They turned out pretty well, however, a little smaller than anticipated. I used Fortissima Socka sock yarn. It was quite nice to work with.

Here is a close up

They were a lot of fun to make! A little bit of a challenge - but not too hard.

Hmmm....

2007-05-29T09:59:00.000-04:00

Ok, well it was a great idea - starting a blog. It was going along fine and then I didn't write anything. I think it's the whole idea that no one will read it. I've got new inspiration. I'll make it really cool with links and such and then I'll join some net rings or something. Maybe someone will happen upon my blog and actually read it. I did finish that "Aran Pocketbook" and I will post pictures when I get a camera that I can download pictures from. I've actually finished quite a few things since then, but alas, they've all been given away. No pictures. There are several works in progress. I think I'll spend some time trying to figure out how to post pictures and make links.

Stupid...stupid....knitter

2007-04-20T09:22:00.000-04:00

I was too stubborn to just put the purse down and slowly back away. Nice and easy.

I modified the pattern to make it 'look right'. Well.....sort of right. When I started on the strap - which used the same built in I-cord technique on the edges, I decided to just follow the damn pattern word for word out of spite. (Besides, it is much easier to rip out 9 stitches p/row than 40 if it looked REALLY bad) Low and behold about 10 rows later, I realized that it WAS right all along and that the knitting just needed to progress a little to allow the edge to naturally "roll" to make the edge. I AM a moron.

**lesson learned - if you've already consulted the Internet for corrections/clarifications on a 2 year-old publication and found none....TRUST THE PATTERN.

Anyway, it is nearly finished. I lined it yesterday and as soon as I stop procrastinating about paying the bills this morning, I can go sit down and sew it together. Will post pictures later.

Stupid...stupid....pattern....

2007-04-18T09:19:00.000-04:00

My aran pocketbook was coming along so well....I sat for a couple of hours yesterday and listened to this great audio book and finished most of the body of the purse. I was quite pleased with myself and was feeling like I had done a good job ( this was the first chart I've read and it had cables). Then I came to the 'built in i-cord edging'. I must be a moron - I just can not figure out how to make this flap work. It keeps coming out asymmetrical - I have frogged the stupid thing about 5 times now and wasted several hours on line trying to find out what I'm doing wrong.

My sister is the only knitter I know and the purse is for her for Mother's day (maybe) and the free help at the knitting shop was yesterday. That's what I get for getting so smug about learning how to do cables. Knitting Karma.

I'm going to go cast on something else and maybe the knitting answer fairy will come visit me in my dreams tonight - more likely I'll have to take the stupid thing to someone who actually has a clue how to knit.

Today's tasks....

2007-04-17T09:47:00.000-04:00

I was told yesterday - by my wonderful husband - that my job should be finding things for us to look forward to. Sounds easy enough. I spent the morning online looking for B&B's on the west coast of Michigan. There are MANY, and they all look intriguing.

I spent quite some time looking at all the nice places we could go corresponding to all the 'key events' of the spring and summer. Then I came to one conclusion. If my job was to find things to do, whose job was it to get a doctor, two teenager's, a six year-old with boundless energy, a smelly dog, a biting hamster, 2 fish and two birds to go along with it?

I quit.

I'm moving on to the next task. To block or not to block socks? That is the question.

Ok, this blog thing....

2007-04-16T11:24:00.001-04:00

I spent a whole lot of time writing a fairly witty 'first blog' which is stuck in the draft stage. I can't figure out how to post it or edit it or anything. I feel dumb. So here I am again - I am just going to write something and then post it to see how it all works.

It is a beautiful day today. Sunny but only 43 degrees and blowing a gale. I was hoping to get outside and so some yard work, but with the wind it is just too cold. Sounds like a good excuse to stay inside a do a little knitting and listen to a book.

The problem is, as soon as I typed that, my mind zoomed back to something Piper said to me this morning. After asking where everyone was - Tubie, Dad, Molly - and realizing that I was the only one with seemingly no where to go, she informed me that I had the 'shortest' job. Dad works all the time, Tubie, Molly and Piper all go to school but mom gets to stay home. It's just not fair. She wished she could stay home and wouldn't even mind doing some of the laundry. When I explained to her all the things that I do, like bills, cleaning, dishes, cooking, bill paying, grocery shopping, etc. etc. she said "So you're like one of the people at the restaurant that brings us our food"

Um....well....

"You know," she said, "some people have someone like that living in their house, someone to do everything for them"

I said it's kind of like that but I don't get paid - sarcastically. Sometimes I forget that 6 year-olds just don't get sarcasm at all. She told me that she pays me all the time - with hugs and kisses, but mostly kisses. That made me smile and think that most days I don't have the "shortest job" but I do have the best one.

Off to do some knitting now - something with a pattern to take advantage of this amazingly quiet house (for the moment)