KnittingNurse

Go and VOTE please!

2011-11-03T11:35:00.002-04:00

OK, so I am a bit of a Disney lover. NOT a real die-hard but pretty good fan nonetheless. However, I am a die-hard fashion lover. So, put those two together and you get the lovely blog Disneybound.

Leslie, the genius behing Disneybound, puts together the most amazing themed outfits I've ever seen. You should really check out some of her creations. So very cute.

So, right now, Leslie has been chosen and is in the running for a contest on BBM Challenge Council. She really deserves your votes so, if you would take a moment and jump over here to give her a vote, that would be wonderful. Oh, and enjoy all her creations while you are there.

Good luck Leslie!

BTW, can someone PLEASE explain Tumblr to me? I've tried to go on several blogs but I just don't understand the concept. How do you comment? Why can't I see some of the blogs there? What is it all about? I'm so behind the times. . . .

temari inspiration

2011-10-25T13:30:00.002-04:00

I think I am going to make these temari in Xmas colors for the Enloe Theatre Fundraising Auction . . .

Friday night fun

2011-05-20T22:16:00.002-04:00

Aaah, it's Friday night here at Chez Knittingnurse. What a relief to have this week go by. DH just got back into town this evening after having been gone all week on business. Of course, as if on cue, DS decides that he needs to be a slightly bit moody and snappish right before his father comes home. . .I was a good girl and I let it all roll of my back (mostly) but I felt bad having DH come home to moody teenage boy. UGH!

Tomorrow I am going to the Carolina Fiber Fest with my buddy. I certainly don't need anymore yarn but when the festival is only 15 mins away, how could I NOT go? Besides, it's being held at the NC State Fairgrounds which also happens to have the NC State Flea market one of my favorite "picking" spots in the area for vintage items to fill my Etsy shop, "Something from the Heart". One of my best friends and I each have vintage online shops via Etsy and we go picking together for items to fill our shops. Her shop is lovely as well and you can see it here.

Oh and, btw, did I tell you all that I won a contest and got to dance with Derek Hough? You know as in from "Dancing with the Stars"? yep, that Derek.

I didn't mention it you say? Hmmmm, well, I'll save that juicy story for next time. I'm curling up in bed with hubby now. Good night all!

Miscellaneous crafting and surfing

2011-05-19T21:13:00.007-04:00

Have you found Pinterest yet? OMG! It's amazing and highly addictive. So, here's the low down: once you have an invite and set up your account, you can set up a series of 'boards' where you can 'pin' items that you find online and what to be able to get back to. How often have you seen a craft idea or a new blog or a cool new product and want to remember where to find it. But, if you bookmarked everything you bookmark list would be a mile long. Just think of it as a series of virtual bulletin boards where you can post all the information. Plus, you can organize all your pins by boards; a recipe board, craft board, tutorial board, blog board, etc., etc. . . . It's AWESOME. Then, not only do you get to organize and get to all these pages you wanted to remember, but, you can see other people's board and their pins and they can see yours. So, it's a great place to get more leads to find cool stuff online and to promote yourself, your blog, friends shops, etc.....

Be careful though. It's a world of it's own and HIGHLY addictive!!! So, what kind of things can you find? All sorts of craft ideas and tutorials. Here's an example for you all.

What happens when you take this:

and this:

along with a little glass cement???

You get THIS:

Cute huh? I think it's a lovely little cupcake, tea sandwiches or pastry stand. It's not big enough to be a full cake but, how many times have you wanted to set out a "little" something and a cake stand is just too big? Like if you are having tea with your bestie. The two of you don't need a full cake but a few treats would look great on this stand.

I can't wait to try it out. . . . .

I also have been posting all sorts of vintage goodies and some of my photographs for sale in my Etsy shop. Wanna see? Go ahead and go take a look, why don't you? Let me know what you all think. . .I'd be really interested in hearing what you all think.

What's up nurse?

2011-03-19T21:07:00.009-04:00

Here at Chez Knittingnurse, March madness is in swing, the birds are singing and the crafts are slowly starting to re-emerge.

I made an egg Temari today that is meant for my niece. She is just about 18 months old now. Last year, I made matching egg Temari for her and myself. So, I have completed her egg for this year and tomorrow I will have to make the same egg again, this time for me. I think it will be pretty cool for us to having matching collections of Easter egg temari. Don't you.

I have had a set of felted clogs on the needles since last Fall. They are to replace the well worn (through) clog slippers I made a few years ago for DH. DS wants a pair to but he's growing out of shoes so fast that making a pair now would be an exercise in futility.

All that not withstanding, the most important thing going on here is that I have opened an Etsy shop! Something from the Heart "Handmade gifts and vintage treasures" opened about a month ago. I will be selling vintage items as well as handmade (by me) items and photographs. Right now, I only have vintage items and photographs for sale but I am pretty excited about it.

Here are a few of the items that I currently have up for sale ;

The tin salt and pepper shakers are absolutely adorable and much cuter in person. They very retro, kitschy and nostalgic. Love them! The tea bowl and saucer are Royal Staffordshire china. Who knew that find China was available in tea bowls? Regardless this is a charming set that will make a great addition to someone's tea cup collection.

So, here are a couple of examples of the photographs that I am selling. Red Geraniums in my window was taking last summer during our trip to Paris. I took this shot from the balcony of our hotel room. I just loved the rustic feel and the contrast of the red from the flowers against all the neutrals surrounding them. In the Arms of the Angel is a statue that can be found at the Louvre. I don't remember who the sculptor was but while admiring it, I got to this angle and loved the play of light and shadows to the statue. Isn't it wonderful?

What do you all think of these so far? The photographs that I have posted and will post are all going to be my own original shots taken during the KnittingNurse family adventures.

I appreciate any comments you have regarding the shop, items, listing and such. So, excited!

It's official

2011-03-01T21:53:00.002-05:00

I am now an Etsy shop owner. My Etsy user name is 'somethinfromtheheart' (I had to drop the 'g' b/c the name was too long).

Funny thing is that I've always wanted to own a shop. A, coffee/tea house, gift, needlework, yarn shop. Y'know? The kind of shop where you go in and there are comfy couches and yarn and cutesy gifts (cards, stationary, simple knick knacks) and you can get a lovely cup of coffee or tea and a scone? Aaaaaaah!

Unfortunately, that brick and mortar store has yet to become a reality BUT I now have an online shop where I can sell some handmade things and some vintage items I've found along the way. Fun, eh?

Right now, I only have vintage items. Well, 4 vintage items. I had 6 but I've sold 2 (awesome right?). I've got a huge boxful of items to photograph and list but I haven't quite gotten them on their as of yet. Hopefully at the end of this week they will all be up and available.

My first handmade items to list will be some facecloths knit/crochet made out of cotton. I want to post knitted items, some temari, some stamped items and some jewelry along with my vintage treasures but, I need to get to making some stuff.

So, when thinking of a store name I was talking it over with the fam and we kept coming up with different ideas and then I said, "no, no, it needs to be something from the heart". Well, DUH! So, the shop is named "Something from the Heart" with the tagline "handmade gifts and vintage treasures". Cute huh?

Go take a gander for a moment. Go ahead. It won't take long and I will still be here waiting for ya.

Something from the Heart shop on Etsy.com

Kind of cute stuff so far, I think. BTW, go back if you have a minute and check out my friend's shop as well Back home vintage.

That's my 'picking' partner. Flea markets, thrift stores, garage sales, our ATTICS! We bounce pieces off of each other and help each other decide on purchases and prices to set as well as photographing, etc.

So, cross your fingers and wish me luck.

WHUCK is over my head and why does it feel like I need an umbrella??

2011-01-26T11:56:00.009-05:00

I called off from work today. Yep. I had it yesterday. 5 different patients:

2 transfers out to the ICU,
1 discharge,
1 admission from ER who clearly should have been ICU not stepdown but, "we know you can take good care of her*" and "putting her in the ICU will just make her less of a person" are the comments you get from the MFDs (referring to physician's degrees - I'm sure you can all decipher) when you question her status, and
1 transfer from med floor with a whopping 160 heart rate, SOB, clammy and hypotensive

REALLY??? WHUCK is over my head and why does it feel like I need an umbrella??

So, I got home, ate, showered, took a muscle relaxant b/c I couldn't stand hearing my back yell at me any longer and went to bed. UGH.

But, here I lay now, in bed, after 1100am, awake less than 1/2 hour and pondering what to do with the day. Here's what I've come up with:

1. Nothing
2. Start up on the laundry since DH is having a bad week and you do have an unexpected day
off after all
3. Watch more Doctor Who
4. Pack for this weekend's BHI trip with my girls
5. Nothing
6. Finally finish up that damn book so that you can start this month's book club selection
7. Work on the girls xmas gifts which you are to present them with this weekend (see #4)
8. Finally put out this week's flex team newsletter for work so that you at least make SOME pesos today.
9. Nothing
10. Work on DH's felted clogs that were due to him since last Fall

I think I like 1, 5 and 9 the best. We'll see how those go and then decide from there. Hey, 3 out of 10 ain't bad right?

*So, BTW, this is a blog written by an actual, practicing, 4 year degree, registered nurse with over 20 years of critical care experience under her cap (just kidding, I hate those damn things) so, let me give you all a piece of advice. NEVER, EVER, EVER ask a nurse to "please take good care of Grandma, Mom, Son, Cousin, Hubby, Sister, Priest, self, next door neighbor, WHOMEVER!" Why you might ask? Well, would you tell a chef at a restaurant to "please be sure to actually cook my meal correctly" or a Salesperson to "please scan my item the right way" or to the dentist "please drill the correct tooth" or to your doctor "please give me the right prescription" (OK, you might have a point with the last one but you get what I mean).......

It's an insult. If a nurse wasn't going to take good care of your X,Y,Z she wouldn't have shown up to work. OK, sometimes there are nurses that might make you question that but DAMMIT, not all of us and that sure as hell better not come out of the mouth of some snot-nosed, yet to be independent, I've been a nurse almost as long as you've been alive, just out of internship, I've saved your ass on more than one occasion resident who thinks they don't sound condescending as they say it to you.

I'm not sayin', just sayin'.

Back to taking care of 1,3 and 9. Isn't it great to be productive?

Happiness all rolled up into a candle

2011-01-23T13:41:00.002-05:00

I love scented candles. However, I am not a huge flowery scent kind of girl. I like to go for "clean" scents.

My favorite scented candle of all time is a Yankee Candle scent called "green grass". It is the clean scent of freshly mowed grass on a crisp spring morning. Ahhhh.

I burned that candle all the time for years and then one day I walked into a YC store looking for "MY" candle. When I didn't see it on the shelves I asked the salesperson where I could find the "green grass" candles. "Oh, that scent has been discontinued" was all she said. I think I stood there speechless for a good 5 minutes (and anyone who knows me knows that would be a sign of the apocalypse).

That was quite a few years ago. Since then, I still look for "green grass" whenever I enter a YC store or any store that sells YC products. It was gone.

I.

WAS.

DEVASTATED.

Fast forward to yesterday and the Tanger Outlets in Mebane, NC. Just a mere 45 mins away from home and the newest Outlet Mall in NC, we went as a family yesterday to see the outlets and go shopping. It was amazing.

The Outlets themselves are great . . . . clean, pretty, well designed, lots of store that we actually shop at and many great sales. yeah!

So, one of the last stores I enter is the YC outlet store. As usual, I look around and then ask about 'green grass'. "Oh, we have tons of that!" - "Um, really? GREEN GRASS????". "Yeah, we have it in 2 different sizes, would you like me to show you?"

(trumpets blared, angels sang and the Heavens shown down on me in all their glory)

I bought 6 candles in total and will probably get some more then next time I'm there. I literally jumped up and down in excitement when DH came in through the doors a few minutes later and said "They have Green Grass, they have Green Grass!!"

He smiled kindly at the salesperson and just nodded as if to say "she's fallen on her head a few times, please forgive her".

OH, and I had a 10% off your total purchase coupon to boot!

MAN, was I a happy girl on the drive home!

Diners - America's orginal 'comfort' food

2011-01-22T23:18:00.005-05:00

What is it about Diners that makes the experience so, well, magical? I love Diners. They have that awesome true Americana feel to them. You can always count on friendly but no-BS staff, basic but gooooood food, and charm out the wazoo. We found a new diner for us today in a nearby town that was the epitome of what a diner should be. Southern accented staff who can't do enough for you (or each other as demonstrated by the manager busing tables and bringing out food for her waitresses), good basic comfort food staples (i.e. fried chicken, chili cheese fries and chicken fried steak), metallic vinyl seated chair, bar style seating and cheap prices.

Diners are an experience and one must truly understand the experience to appreciate it. Don't expect 5 star anything at a diner. It ain't gonna happen. But, if you can get beyond that, dining at a diner brings a feeling of nostalgia unique to these establishments that only adds to the overall experience.

You instantly feel at home in a good diner. There's no worry about being too loud or having to mind your "p's and q's". Now, that's not to say that one should be without manners at a diner. Just, you can speak at a normal volume and not feel like you are intruding on your neighbor's dining experience. You can put your elbows on the table and eat with your fingers (finger foods of course) without feeling 'gauche'. You can literally laugh out loud at your child or spouse's commentary without worrying about calling attention to yourself. Nobody cares. They're all too busy enjoying their own company and food and laughing as well.

Food at a diner is basic but good. Burgers are greasy and messy and amazing. Fries are hot and fresh and have that deep fried taste that makes them too good to leave any on your plate. You will find foods that you can't find at restaurants . . . chicken fried steak smothered in gravy is a staple as well as old fashioned meatloaf sandwiches and fruit cobblers.

So, tonight we went to a diner. It had all the neon light signs and decor that you think of when you think of the 50's and diners. The menu was thorough but basic. DH had the chicken fried steak with white gravy, side salad and black eyed peas. DS had a bacon cheeseburger with chili cheese fries and I had the chicken fried chicken with mashed taters, brown gravy and side salad. For dessert, DS had the best chocolate-peanut butter shake that I have tasted in a long long time (they use chunky peanut butter and you get little pieces of peanuts when you are drinking it). My only disappointment was that they didn't have any cherry syrup to put in my coke to make a cherry coke. Sigh. I guess nothing can be perfect right?

Miss Tina was our waitress and she was attentive, funny and efficient. We never were low on drinks and she came by just enough without being annoying. Families were sitting all around us, couples on dates, buddies out for a quick bite after work, etc. The walls were covered in pictures that looked like they came from the local HS yearbook for the last several decades and the music was classic rock 'n roll from the 50's.

It was great. Real Americana nostalgia in a single meal. All for $6.50 - $8 for our entrees. Now, where else but a diner can you get all that?

BTW, if you are interested. I have YET to finish "dragon tattoo". I did finally get 'into' the story but ran out of time to finish it for book club and although I am now truly interested in seeing it through to the end, I am not madly crazy about the story enough to not be able to put it down.

Next up for book club is "Loving Frank". Anybody got any feelings on that book?

I'm slowing heading over to the dark side

2011-01-16T09:11:00.003-05:00

So, DH has always spoiled me. Even when we were first married and had very little money, he would find ways to go above and beyond the necessary. He said that ha got a kick from seeing me happy. It's never changed.

I usually have something significant that I want for Christmas that he will get me as my " big" gift. This past year he was puzzled that I had nothing significant on my list. I had everything that I wanted and didn't really have any "wishes".

So what does he do? He got me an iPad. The big 3G iPad. I was stunned and said "but I've never asked for an iPad". He said he knew me and that he knew I would love it. He knows me well.

So although I've always been a PC person, here I was with an iPod, iTouch and now an iPad. Hmmmmm........

Fast forward to this past week. Verizon gets the iPhone. Hallelujah! I have been an Altel customer for over a decade (now Verizon) and had been waiting for this day. I was debating on whether or not to upgrade to the iPhone or not.... Friday night my hubby tells me that Verizon has decided to eliminate it's "new every 2" feature on the tail of getting the iPhone. It seems that they feel that getting the iPhone has given them an edge and that their customers will be so elated from that, they won't balk at the elimination on "ne2" AND that AT&T customers with iPhones will switch to them b/c of their network. Humph!

Verizon is attempting to change the wireless industry in the USA by setting a standard of making their customers pay for their phones each time they upgrade without providing any discounts. Hmmmm, I personally am a fan of good old fashioned competition and providing incentives to customers. AND Verizon has never and doesn't plan on providing rollover minutes. (a pet peeve of mine). Due to this new change in service, I was forced to upgrade my (and DS's) phone by today or forfeit my eligibility for a discounted upgrade. Really? A customer for over a decade and then this? NOT. GOOD. CUSTOMER. SERVICE.

So, off we went yesterday to the 3 major players (AT&T, T Mobile and Verizon) to review our options. Surprise surprise, who had the least accommodating and financially accommodating options? Verizon. Switching to a smartphone would void my current cellphone plan (a vestigial Altel plan) and force me to change to a current Verizon plan (more expensive). Plus their smart phones (even with my NE2 discount) were expensive! Unlimited texting (I DO have a teenager) was ridiculously expensive compared to the other companies. Anyone that knows me knows that I can't stand to be bullied or forced into any decision. Yeah, that's really bad. I WILL do all within my power to go against those decisions. Call me stubborn.

When comparing the other to companies (plans, texting, phone choices) we decided to go to AT&T and I ended up with an iPhone 3G S.

So, now I have an iPod, iTouch, iPad and IPhone. How long do you all think it will be before I switch from a PC to a Mac?

I guess we will have to wait and see.........

(but I love my iPhone!). Tee hee

I've had an Epiphany

2011-01-14T15:21:00.005-05:00

Ok, to begin with, let's get some business out of the way. Yes, it's been a long time since I've blogged. No, I will not be apologizing for it this time. Here's why:

1. This is MY blog and I should decide when and if I choose to write something.
2. Anyone who knows and likes me will just be glad that I've written something and won't care how long it's been. And finally,
3. If there are people who don't like that it's taken so long for me to write, they probably aren't following me anymore so, who is there left to apologize too?

So, now that THAT'S out of the way. . . .

Like I stated in my title, I've had an Epiphany. No, not the Roman Catholic kind (although we do celebrate Epiphany and I got a nifty new GPS but I digress), a personal kind. . . .

I like my husband.

Surprised? No? Well, let me explain.

Yes, I love my husband. Of course I do. If I didn't I wouldn't have married him or still be married to him 22 years later. But does loving your husband actually mean liking him, as a person independent of being a husband? Unfortunately, I have recently come to believe that the 2 aren't necessarily inclusive to eachother.

It seems that the older I get and the more I actually LISTEN to what people mean when they speak (it's easy to hear but one must actively LISTEN to fully grasp the intent behind words) I've noticed something disturbing. A lot of woman don't necessarily 'like' their husbands despite loving them.

I have come to feel that loving someone is an emotional response whereas likeing someone is an intellectual one. And that, my friends, is the paradox of the husband situation. We fall in love with our heart and in like with our brains and sometimes those two organs are at odds with eachother.

Why do you think that best friends aren't always someone's spouse?

Sure, you love your spouse with all your heart and you get that little fluttery feeling when you think of him/her and it's all safe and sound with them as your partner but,. . . . . . when you need to vent and dish out the dirt or complain about work or try to decide what to do about a given situation who do you turn to? Your best friend. Your bestfriend understands where you stand on issues, what's important to you and what you like on your salad. Your best friend is the person that you are going to talk to when something happens and you just HAVE TO TELL SOMEONE ABOUT IT. Your best friend is the person who you call when you want to discuss your favorite TV show and how you can't wait until next week to find out where the Tardis is going to be and how the Doctor is so damn cute and how you wish you were british and (oh, dear, let's get back on track - pardon me).

So, there I was minding my own business recently, sitting in bed and multitasking (i.e. watching TV, playing on the computer and attempting to check my email) when I looked over at my husband (also multitasking but replace playing on the computer with reading) and I thought to myself "Self, you have a really great friend sitting next to you right now" and I realized that not only do I love my husband but I like him. Well, the thought didn't just come to me. It was an evolutiono of a conversation in my mind.

I was multitasking and along with all the stuff I previously listed, I was also thinking about conversations I had had with friends/acquantances at work and about complaints they had regarding their spouses/partners. Then I thought, "huh, I don't think I had much to complain about DH today" then the thought crossed my mind "hey, when I complain about DH it's about something that we disagree on usually and not about him as a person" and that lead to "wait, most of the time I hear people actually complain about their spouse/partner with regard to something inherent about them as a person" and that's when I got the BAM "I like my husband" thought.

I leaned over and kissed him on the head and he said "what was that for?" and I said "nothing" and he said "oh, that was sweet. Thanks babe." and continued to multitask.

I sighed and continued to multitask but this time I was smiling.

yeah, I like my husband. I would hang out with him and want to do stuff with him and go out to places with him and invite him over even if he weren't my husband. I'd be his friend even if we weren't married and unfortunately, I think that there are a lot of people out there who, if they truly looked into their heart of hearts, would be able to say that they love their husbands/wives/partners but, if they weren't in love with them, they may no like them per se.

My hubby and I can have mediocre conversations about the trivial things in life or can crack each other up over some stupid comment or show or can discuss deep issues and even agree to disagree (you should see us argue about Capital punishment) and yet, we respect each other and I still like him. Hopefully he feels the same.

That's all.

BTW, I should be trying to finish up "The girl with the dragon tattoo". . . I haven't been totally enthralled with it yet. I think there might be something wrong with me. I just don't get all the hooplah yet. Hopefully it will come to me soon b/c book club is next week and I need to be done. UGH.

carry on

Why Migraines SUCK!

2010-07-06T12:35:00.009-04:00

I woke up at 2 am with one of the worst migraines I have ever had. I contemplated cutting off my head a variety of times but then decided that it would make a huge mess either 1) on our relatively new bathroom floor, 2) on our freshly cleaned carpet or 3) on our new set of sheets (let alone on the hubster). So, that idea wasn't going to work.

I then thought of shooting myself in the head but, because of the same reason as well as the fact that we do not own a gun, that wasn't going to work either.

In the end, I took migraine medicine (for all the good it did me), threw up a variety of times (gross I know but if you have migraines, you'll understand. If not, deal), used my trusty migraine relief set (LOVE IT), and suffered through it. I woke with a milder form of the migraine and took, yet again, more migraine medicine.

I have spent the day in bed with icepacks and trying to keep my mind on the nuclear holocaust that is my head. UGH.

Anyhow, I thought I would post because I have the time and I've been a slacker. I wanted to review a new knit shop that opened nearby, Downtown Knits. Michelle has opened an absolutely gorgeous shop in downtown Apex, NC which my friends and I have seen and love. It is a very open and well organized shop. The selection of yarns is still limited but vast enough to suit any knitters needs. Michelle is working on increasing her inventory and is very good about asking knitters in the shop their opinions on what yarns to carry next and in what colors. One thing that I loved about the shop is that she carries many unique yarns from local yarn vendors. For those of us who love to buy "souvenir yarn" this is EXACTLY what we look for when visiting yarn shops while on vacation.

Michelle is lovely, friendly, quirky and a great hostess. She holds a weekly knit night on Fridays and welcomes knitters to BYOB (yeah). I've yet to attend one but once the craziness that is my summer simmers down, you can bet that I will be making the trek out there. If you are in the area, you should definitely give it a shot. I don't think you will be dissapointed.

What else is going on in Chez Knittingnurse you might ask? Well, we are on the final countdown to the BIG TRIP! Paris is t-9 days away and I can't wait. DH has diligently been working on looking up everything that DS and I have asked for and has written things down for our information while we are there. We aren't an "itinerary" vacation kind of family but DH is very good about researching things in the areas we visit so that when the mood strikes us, we can look over his notes and know where to head. He has found a myriad of shops for me to do some souvenir shopping at and I've looked them over to decide which will be the best to visit while we are there. Do any of you have any fave shops that you have been to in Paris? Any suggestions?

We will also be visiting Bruges, Belgium and Normandy while there. I am planning on bringing home some sand from Normandy's beaches. Although I do not have any direct family that fought at those battles, it is an amazing part of American history and I am expecting to get emotional when I am there.

I also am planning on visiting the memorial at the Velodrome d'Hiver since, ironically, we are arriving on the anniversary of the roundup. I had no idea about this dark page in French history until my bookclub read Sarah's Key a few months ago. I really liked the book despite it's dark topic and I was amazed that the trip we had booked last year had us landing in Paris on the morning of the anniversary of this horrible event. Needless to say, I felt compelled to pay my respects at the modest plaque left to remember this tragedy.

What other things are we planning for the trip? Eating, drinking, walking, Fat Tire Bike Tour of Versailles (highly recommended by a coworker) and just 'being'. We recently found out that our hotel for the first leg of our trip recently started providing wireless internet service to guests so, hopefully, I will be able to make some quick posts during our stay.

Lastly, have I told you all that I am now taking my love of photography a bit more seriously? No? Well, I am. After photographing a friend of mine and her boys last year as a Father's day surprise for her husband, I got an amazing response from friends in the neighborhood and recently did an engagement shoot for a coworker. I am actually going to be shooting her wedding as well! AACK!

Here are a couple of shots from the engagement shoot. Let me know what you all think.......

It's Tour Time~

2010-07-03T12:54:00.002-04:00

Anybody else watching the beginning of the Tour???? Anyone?

We have a special vested interest this year as we will be present for the end of the race. AAACCKKK!!! So excited!

I need to go run and get me some "livestrong" attire for the event. What are the chances that Lance will end up in the maillot jaune at the end???

Hey everyone

2010-06-07T07:17:00.005-04:00

So, I have been delinquent on my "Wonderful Wednesday" postings. Life here has been busy. When did that happen???? I remember being able to post much more regularly. I think it's all because of the evil of FACEBOOK . I wish I was stronger to resist but, I am not. Then there's Twitter. Another time and soul-sucking site. Who is evil enough to have developed these sites? Sigh. I wish I was stronger but I am weak and you just never know what your friends might be doing now, or in 5 minutes or 10 minutes from that or another 5 minutes after that, or, well, you get the picture.

Then there's the Temari.

So, what soul time sucking activities are you addicted to involved in???

Wonderful Wednesday!

2010-04-28T21:59:00.007-04:00

I was laying in bed trying to relax enough (and take enough drugs) to get sleepy. During my random flight of ideas while surfing the 'net it occurred to me (have no clue why - flight of ideas remember?) that Wednesdays usually get a bad rap. "Can't wait until humpday is over" is the general consensus. Let me try to explain:

It seems as though Mondays get the respect of being the first day of the week. Yeah, a lot of us don't like that but I know that there are a good many among us (goody two-shoers if you ask me) that like new, clean beginnings and every Monday is just a prize waiting to open up with all sorts of endless possibilities for the week. (Don't take me wrong, I'm no Brenda Ann Spencer but I'm not Pollyanna either). So, good or bad, Mondays are usually a significant day for most people.

Tuesdays. Ah, Tuesdays. Tuesday is the day after Monday. That means that all the aforementioned people who dread the beginning of the work week, now celebrate b/c Monday is over. The week has now started and the pressure of it being Monday is all gone. You are in the thick of it and all is good. (of course all the goody goods are probably still happy as clams because that's how they are).

Thursdays, now that's another highly anticipated day. It's signifies being just one day away from the end of the week. Joy and rapture. The goody goods are happy because they are approaching the end of another goal - a completed, successful week and the rest of us are chomping at the bit for Friday to come.

Friday. Fridays has it's own MOVIE. A MOVIE PEOPLE! That's how much people admire, respect and stand in awe of Fridays. 'Nuf said.

Do I even need to explain Saturdays and Sundays. Yeah, I thought not. I shall continue.

So, what does that leave? That leaves poor little misunderstoond and much maligned Wednesdays. When was the last time you heard anyone say "Man am I glad that it's Wednesday!" or "Wednesdays are so awesome!". Nope instead it's "I can't WAIT for today (our misconceived Wednesday) to be over." What do we call it most of the time? Poor thing, we don't even use it's proper name. Mostly we refer to it as "hump day". Really? Who want's to be known by a name that is also a slang term for fornication? Er, not me!

So, I've decided that here at Chez Knittingnurse, Wednesdays will now be celebrated. Wonderful Wednesdays they shall be called. And, what happens on wonderful Wednesday at Knittingnurse you might wonder? Well, Wednesdays are going to be my day of reflecting on what's wonderful in my life at that moment (ok, not that exact moment but you know what I mean). So in honor of my very first Wonderful Wednesday I present to you what is currently making me happy.

1. Temari. Love my Temari right now. It's very soothing and precise and just right.

2. My son. Yes, he's 13 and can be a pain at times but, he's generally a good kid, has a great and loving heart and thinks that I am the silliest Mom in the whole wide world (shhh - let's not spoil it for him, kay?)

3. Knitting. Well, if you've read this blog for any amount of time, or have gone back in the archives you understand. Moving on.

4.This Cereal. Have you guys had this stuff yet? If not, run to the store and get some. NOW. It's seriously delicious and it's relatively good for you (0gms of Fat, 0gms of cholesterol, 220mg Sodium, 26gms total carbohydrates and 3gms of protein. Heck! It's even a kosher/parve food! - Seriously, I wouldn't make that up)

5. Books that are about what I lovingly refer to as Vampire Smut. Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series, Kim Hatterson's books, P.C. and Kristen Cast's House of Night Series and such. I can't wait until the beginning of the Trueblood series next month!

Yes, I know that my hubby isn't on there. But he's OOT and not returning until Friday so, if I am talking about what's making me feel wonderful and happy, he isn't because he can't and won't be able to until late Friday night. I'm sure he'll be making the list quite often.

Hey, guess what?!? I'm actually yawning so, TTFN!

Today I've done. . well, nothing really.

2010-04-28T14:28:00.002-04:00

So, I must say that I have been a very nonchalant blogger as of late (like a few years behind - sorry). But, I do hope to get back into my writing as I truly did enjoy keeping track of what goes on with my life for future prosterity (namely mine as I can't imagine anyone else wanting to read about me back in 1999) - tonight I'm gonna party like it's. . ., oops, flight of ideas. Let's get back to what I was saying shall we?

I have had this week to chillax (love that word) and do very little and I kind of like that except that I then wake up at 4 am with a list of a gazillion things that I should accomplish when I "wake up" (i.e. finally get out of bed) but by the time I do get up, I have no clue what all those things were. See, my husband is out of town on business and I don't sleep well when's he's not home. For anyone that has been reading this blog for any significant amounts of time (and thank you so much for still being here!) you all know that this is very true. So, it takes me forever to get to sleep and then the little thing will wake me up and I can't get back to sleep. It's a viscious cycle. Anyhow, that leads to my useless brain syndrome during the day and thus, very little getting done.

I did however get out today to mail 4 books out for Paperbackswap then go the one of my happy places to get some groceries. It's TRIPLE COUPON TIME and you all know how I love a good coupon deal (ok, newer readers may not know but I am totally a coupon/sale junky).

So, I went, I conquered ($170 worth of groceries for $80 - tee hee), I put it all away and now I am back to chillaxin' and doin' a whole lot of nothing. hmmmmm, maybe hubby being gone isn't so bad after all??

BTW, a couple of friends of my have decided to jump into the world of blogging. Do me a favor and check them out would you? They are 2 lovely, crazy and funny girls. I love them.

Wonky Tonk Life and Paradise Purls

Go on over a visit them and let them know I sent you! ;-)

Why explain?

2010-03-19T12:05:00.004-04:00

So, I've a new addiction craft over the last few weeks. It's Temari and I love it. I like the idea that I am doing something that women began to do over 600 years ago. I like the way it feels to make something from nothing. I like the process of picking a design and colors and then working through blending the two. I like the feeling of the needle in my hand and the way the stitches lay next to eachother slowly building the design. I like the way the temari looks when I've completed it. I like seeing them all together and how beautiful they look as a group as well as individually. I like making something beautiful for the sake of beauty itself. I like looking at the finished project and saying "wow, I made that". I like the way DS looks at them and tells me "Mom, that's really cool!" I like the relaxation that comes with the rhythmic stitching and stillness of the needlework. I like TEMARI!

So, WHY do I feel like I must justify myself in this new craft?

Let me explain:

I've been a jack of all crafts my entire life. You name it, I've done it (at least once). Crochet? Check. Macrame? Check. Latch hook? Check. Cross Stitch? Check. Knitting? Check. Card making and stamping? Check. You get the idea. However, I have NEVER had to explain why I do something until I started to make Temari.

I mean, I have had the usual "why would you knit socks when you can buy them?" question but I've never had to answer "what's the purpose of (insert knitted item)?" before. Even when I was making Macrame'd wall hangings (hey it WAS the 70's y'know!) I never had anyone question the point of the completed project. (Even the Sun/Moon macrame wallhanging in the HORRID shades of gold that my Mother insisted on hanging in the living room - God help me).

But make Temari balls and this is the conversation that follows 99.9% of the time after showing the completed ball to someone else:

Me: "Here's my newest Temari."
Them: "Wow, isn't that pretty. What's a temari?"
Me: "It's an ancient japanese craft where you make and stitch these beautiful balls"
Them: "So. . . . . . .what do you do with it?"

EVERY TIME!

Whenever I've shown someone any of my crafts, I've never ran into the "What do you do with it?" or "What's it for?" question before Temari.

My reply is usually "You look at it and say 'Isn't that pretty'!" which inevitably is followed by "Well yes but what is it FOR?"

How do you explain beauty for the sake of beauty? Creation for the accomplishment of creating. But still, there's a nagging feeling of having to justify my crafting with Temari that I've never felt before. Show someone a cross stitched picture of a bunny in a field with trees and no one blinks an eye. Show someone a piece of pulled thread work in an octagonal shape and not a peep. Show someone an abstract painting ala Jackson Pollock - nada. Sand art in an elongated soda bottle? Zip (yep, I did that too!)

Now, I am not saying that any of this is going to slow me down or have me stop stitching Temari but, I find it interesting that the vast majority of responses to these gorgeous pieces of art is "I don't get it".

What's WITH that?

BTW, here's a beauty for you to ponder and admire (b/c you can).

ENJOY!

As time goes by.

2010-03-16T16:36:00.004-04:00

he, he, he, just when you thought it was safe to blog. She's back!

Seriously though, how does time go by so fast when you don't expect it to? I mean, look at the date of my prior post. REALLY???? How the heck did THAT happen? I mean, especially when time goes by soooo sloooooowwlly when you are waiting for something. Like a trip to France.

Yep, knittingnurse et al are going to France this summer. FRANCE people! I'm positively giddy about it. What's even better is that DH has been doing his research (as usual) and we then had the following conversation:

DH: "We can't just wear shorts and tennis shoes, people will target us as tourists and we are more apt to get robbed (pick pocketed mostly)".
ME: "Um, so what are we supposed to wear pray tell?"
DH: "Well, it says people dress properly and care about style. Tennis shoes are for tennis. Shorts are for physical exertion type activities, etc. So, we need to dress nicer."
ME: "Examples please"
DH: "DS and I will have to get nicer khaki type pants and buttoned/collared shirts. You will need to wear some summer dresses and such."
ME: "Does that mean??????"
DH: "Yes, you get to go shopping."
ME: {squeals}
DH: "Glad to help."

I've now gotten about 4 adorable dresses all in no iron type fabrics so that they will hold up well in the suitcase. OH, and we are all going to get some "nice" comfortable shoes for walking. Tee hee! Shoes too people!

France, clothes and shoes!

SQUEAL!

Why I love knitting and knitters in general. . . .

2008-10-01T15:02:00.001-04:00

Who else can make fun of themselves this way?!!??

How will YOU be remembered?

2008-08-27T08:43:00.002-04:00

So, I try not to be a downer here but every once in a while I know that I am. Today, my hubby sent me a link from snopes that truly saddened me. To save you from clicking over, it's about how the following obituary was a TRUE one posted in the Times Herald on August 16th, 2008:

Dolores Aguilar
1929 - Aug. 7, 2008
Dolores Aguilar, born in 1929 in New Mexico, left us on August 7, 2008. She will be met in the afterlife by her husband, Raymond, her son, Paul Jr., and daughter, Ruby.

She is survived by her daughters Marietta, Mitzi, Stella, Beatrice, Virginia and Ramona, and son Billy; grandchildren, Donnelle, Joe, Mitzie, Maria, Mario, Marty, Tynette, Tania, Leta, Alexandria, Tommy, Billy, Mathew, Raymond, Kenny, Javier, Lisa, Ashlie and Michael; great-grandchildren, Brendan, Joseph, Karissa, Jacob, Delaney, Shawn, Cienna, Bailey, Christian, Andre Jr., Andrea, Keith, Saeed, Nujaymah, Salma, Merissa, Emily, Jayci, Isabella, Samantha and Emily. I apologize if I missed anyone.

Dolores had no hobbies, made no contribution to society and rarely shared a kind word or deed in her life. I speak for the majority of her family when I say her presence will not be missed by many, very few tears will be shed and there will be no lamenting over her passing.

Her family will remember Dolores and amongst ourselves we will remember her in our own way, which were mostly sad and troubling times throughout the years. We may have some fond memories of her and perhaps we will think of those times too. But I truly believe at the end of the day ALL of us will really only miss what we never had, a good and kind mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I hope she is finally at peace with herself. As for the rest of us left behind, I hope this is the beginning of a time of healing and learning to be a family again.

There will be no service, no prayers and no closure for the family she spent a lifetime tearing apart. We cannot come together in the end to see to it that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren can say their goodbyes. So I say here for all of us, GOOD BYE, MOM.

How SAD is that??? I wonder how a family could be this torn apart? How can you live with a family that is so obviously full of hurt and anger? I wondered to myself, "was the whole family this way or just this one particular daughter?"

So I googled "Dolores Aguilar". Thankfully, I DID find an article that was printed in the Times Herald a week after the original Obit was printed. It was a commentary written by a neighbor of Dolores which read as follows:

Loving Dolores
Article Launched: 08/24/2008 08:18:25 AM PDT

I had been told about an unbelievable obituary about a woman who was not loved by her family because she didn't love them. Today, I was given that obituary to read and could not believe my eyes.
This was a woman I knew, and had grown to love.

Dolores Aguilar was my neighbor on Carolina Street for many years. A few days after we first moved there, I was introduced to her by her young granddaughter who was living with her and she was taking care of. I met her husband, Raymond, who loved her very much and she loved in return. They were friends, and comrades in life. Raymond, who worked at Mare Island, died a few years later from asbestos poisoning. He was a very good man.

I spent a lot of time at her house. She adopted me as her granddaughter, too. I was happy to be there, as I loved to hear her stories and her hugs were always heartfelt. Every time she saw me, she would hug me and say, "I love you Nena" or "I miss you." Dolores had many stories to share. She spoke a lot about life experiences, and being strong in the world. The one thing she made sure to tell me was not to lose love.

Although she didn't go to church often (she did not drive), she was a deeply religious woman. She talked a lot about the saints, the Virgin Mary and God. She spoke a lot about Heaven and also about faith and forgiveness. She was excited to go to Mass, dressed to the nines, and heard the service in complete solemnity. Dolores' spirituality may not have been visible to others, but I knew she believed and she had great faith in God.

She often cried for her son, who died in Vietnam. I was honored to be included in a trip with her grandchildren to South San Francisco, to visit her son in the cemetery. The experience was unforgettable. All the way there, she talked about how he was a good person, and how he decided to serve his country and how she often prayed for his safety. She had zest in her eyes when she spoke about him, and she would also stop mid-sentence as she tried hard not to cry. In her frailty, she made the trip to see her baby boy, she touched his tombstone, and whispered "I love you." I didn't hear one word against the government, against the war or against those who killed him. All I heard was that he was a good son, he gave his life for what he believed in, and she missed him terribly.

Dolores had a great love for animals. She welcomed dogs, and spoiled them. She was also good with people, and understood deeply about their paths in life.

What I want everyone to know is that she isn't the woman on the obituary. Because I knew her, and I loved her and she loved me. She was a wonderful woman. She was a beautiful woman. Despite all the different sorrows and pains she may have gone through with her family, she still continued to love.

She made a huge difference in my life. She may not have given me material things, but the pearls of wisdom and her enduring belief and love for me is something I will cherish forever.

Grandma, I love you, and may you truly rest in peace. I miss you and I am forever grateful.

Maria Guevara
Vallejo

I felt a bit better for Dolores but then I thought some more. Why did her daughter feel such loathing for her and yet a neighbor such love and caring? Was it something that her daughter perceived or was it a family 'secret'? Were there two Dolores Aguilars, the cruel family Dolores and the kinder neighbor Dolores? Was Dolores incapable of showing care to her family but still able to be kind to outsiders? Was she somehow frozen in her family life because of some unknown turmoil or tragedy? Did the loss of her son turn her cold towards the rest of her family? WHY could her daughter not see the person her neighbor saw? Obviously this woman was capable of giving, receiving and feeling love. She did so with this neighbor.

WHAT HAPPENED WITHIN THIS WOMAN'S FAMILY LIFE?

So, I say (once again) make sure that those you care about know how you feel. Sometimes it so much easier to be kinder and loving to outsiders because of some unseen circumstance. Whether it be because you think your family/friends/loved one know how you feel or because you were raised to not express yourself to family. Maybe you were raised that showing emotions is weak or unnecessary. Maybe you get caught up in living life and therefore are too busy at home to express your love and caring. Maybe you set too high of expectations within your family and mistakenly withhold care to "toughen" family up. Maybe you are too frightened of being rejected or are being held back by a past tragedy or hurt to express yourself to your closest loved ones.

SCREW ALL THAT!

Be sure that people in your life know how you feel. If they don't return the sentiments, F'em! At least you won't be giving anyone a reason to write an obit about you like the one written about Dolores Aguilar.

Never let yourself be unknown to anyone. Never leave yourself in doubt. Never leave reason for a obit such as the one written for Dolores.

OK, now I KNOW that I am going

2008-08-26T18:20:00.003-04:00

straight to hell. All because I find this
extremely funny.

I can't help it and now I am dying to see this movie. (psst make sure you check out the url - too funny!)

Well, and also I just blasphemed (?) the Hail Mary into:

"Hail Harlot, full of lace
the Muses are with you.
Brilliant art thou amongst knitters and
brilliant is the fruit of your hands, JESUS!
Holy Harlot, mother of shawls,
pray for us knitters now and in the hour
of our frogs.
AMEN!"

Um, would anyone like me to save them a seat next to me?

The agony of defeat. . . .

2008-08-24T14:35:00.003-04:00

Yeah, I didn't finish my ravelympics project. UGH.

I'm treading on with it and WILL finish it. It's my first sweater for DH so, it will be done. Plus it's coming along so lovely and DH seems to like it so. . .

we'll keep on, keepin' on.

Hey, my book club is coming along lovely and I have finished every book so far. Just read The Seduction of Water and it was great.

We are now reading Eat, Pray, Love and so far, it's good.

Are any of you in a book club? Do you all love to read? What are you reading right now?

Look Ma! No Cancer!

2008-08-12T11:22:00.003-04:00

OK, OK, so I suck b/c it's been longer than a week and I haven't posted any other info. Y'all probably thought I died in that time (or something close to it). Thankfully the initial round of tests showed no cancer. I think that's what we are going to end up with and I finally exhaled a week ago today. However, I still need more procedures done, specifically a LEEP procedure. Doesn't sound like fun but, at least I've had a "no cancer" diagnosis so far.

Still nervous about this whole thing. My maternal grandfather and all his siblings have died of some sort of cancer or another. Plus I have a great aunt who had breast cancer as well. So, I've always felt as though "it's coming". I was sure that this was IT but, so far so good. The leep will be next friday, the 22nd. I'll try to post sooner rather than later this time, kay?

OK, onto other news. Can I say just two words to you? OLYMPICS ROCK!! We have been glued to the coverage since last friday. Woo hoo! The olympics were always a magical time in my home while growing up. My parents and grandparents would all be into it and we (my brothers and I) would get to stay up late for the opening and closing ceremonies as well as for the major events.

Can I say that in all the olympics I've ever watched, this opening ceremony was by far the best. EVER. Of course, nothing could go this well as demonstrated by this and now this. Really? Not "pretty enough". How does a 7 year old EVER get over that one? Of course, I don't buy it for one minute that all their gymnasts are at least 16 either. Honestly there are a couple that I would say are 13 at the most. Sigh. Oh well, I'll just enjoy the show and not try to focus on the politics of the whole thing.

Speaking of Olympics, I am participating (snicker) in Ravelympics for Team Hopelessly Overcommitted. I am participating in three events ("freeforallfreestyle", "holidayhandball" and "sweatersprint") with the knitting of this beauty for DH. So, I'm into the body of the sweater and I am desperately trying to work on it as much as my poor little carpal tunnel wrists will allow. I also have to try and squeeze in some reading time for my book club. We are reading "The Seduction of Water" by Carol Goodman. So far, it's been a good book but I just don't have the time to do it all.

AAACCCKKK!!

ooh, I wonder what's on the olympics right now ???

Have you seen this?

2008-07-22T17:31:00.003-04:00

THIS is a great site and an amazing way to "recycle" books. So far, I've 'mooched' 2 books (one of which is next month's selection for my book club - SCORE) and now sent 3.

If you are like me and have many books which you've read and which need good new homes, go check it out! By the way, my bookmooch id is "knittingnurse" - SURPRISE!

Knitting continues slowly but surely. Still working on the SOTS-II and some other previous WIPs. I'm trying not to start anything new without first finishing somethinig old. We'll see how that goes. . . . .

Health front: at least 1 week before results come back . . . . . . .

Sharing a funny

2008-07-17T18:46:00.001-04:00

Thanks Amy for the heads-up on this!

So good!

Daily Thought

2008-07-15T10:49:00.007-04:00

July 15, 2008
The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
— Allan K. Chalmers

I am one of those people that sign up for all sorts of stuff in her email. I can't help it. I'm a sucker. One of the things I get is a daily thought. Sometimes I open them, others I just delete. Some of them hit home and others have no impact at all. I am a believer in kismet, synchronicity, karma, fate, call it what you may and I think that things come to you at just the right time when you really need them most. Like when I am really feeling pissy about my life and how "unfair" it all is and then I go to work and take care of someone who has had their world cave in on them. I always take a look up and say "Ok God, I hear you and I will shut up. Thanks for the reminder!"

So, anyway, today's daily thought spoke to me. Not because I am not happy, I am (today is a good day). It's just that happiness can be so fleeting and we often take it for granted.

Now, since my "active" posting a lot has gone on. Hate to repeat but, there was the accident, the hot water heater, the downstairs a/c (replaced last week) and now the upstairs a/c (thankfully we have, since last week, renewed our home warranty contract so it will be, at least partially, covered this time). I am, as I type, waiting for the a/c repair people to come check it out. So, still happy though, why?

Well, because in the last few weeks I have been dealing with another issue that has really made me take a good look at life and what matters and what happiness really is. I am in the midst of a health issue that I have wondered about posting vs. not posting. For right now, let's just leave it as, I am going in next week for further tests and then I will have a definitive answer. I'm not trying to be sneaky, I just would rather wait to have a clear diagnosis (or hopefully not) before typing. As I said, I was debating about whether or not I should post about it until later but, I've been really good about keeping it to myself and I felt I needed a bit of an outlet. So, here's my vague post about the whole thing. Le sigh. Sorry 'bout that. The thing is that I really have a grasp on what truly matters better than I have in the past. I am grateful for that understanding.

So, think of me and say a little prayer if you have a moment. All will be revealed in the next couple of weeks. . . . .

Tonight is swim meet night. Woohoo. Go SHARKS! I should post some new pix of the boy soon. . . . .

Still knitting on SOTS-II but signed up for SOTS-III anyway! Ravelry link.

Things I've done since falling off the face of blogger

2008-07-07T21:53:00.003-04:00

1. Recuperated from that REALLY bad accident.

2. Dealt with a ruptured hot water heater (heater in attic - water coming down through second floor and into kitchen on first - fun times)

3. Joined a book club (Woo hoo)

4. Dealt with broken A/C (yep!)

5. Visited my friend for her 40th birthday up in Cleveland!

6. Drove down replacement car for hubby on the way back from Cleveland

7. Got sick on said drive down (on side of road and not in new car - Thank GOD)

8. Helped friend here in NC deal with dog behaviour issues and having to give dog back to breeder (EVERYTHING was tried)

9. Got hooked on "In Plain Sight" and "Swingtown" (hey, I'm allowed some guilty pleasures)

10. Knit unknown quantities of dishcloths (at least 8 or so)

11. Knit this tunic in bubblegum Cotton-ease (ravelry link)

12. Planned a girls weekend away craft extravaganza for August with 3 buddies from my 'hood (ha ha, I said "hood")

13. Dealt with the death of 4 fish (they made the trip all the way down from OH and everything!) - abou 1/month or so - they were old

14. Knit my very first Baby Surprise Jacket (and gave it away without a picture)

15. Got 4 new fish (our pleco was getting lonely)

16. Knit some more on my SOTS-2 (ravelry link again)

17. Bought new living room furniture!

18. Lost 3.5 lbs on Wii Fit!

19. Got hooked on Facebook!

20. Didn't feel guilty about not blogging (well, maybe a little. I DO miss you all)

I will try to get some pictures up of some of my knitting (except the dishcloths - those are already given away)

Mosaic meme

2008-06-28T17:45:00.006-04:00

1. 040906 - Mike and Jannett around campfire, 2. Pompon the Sushi Connaisseur, 3. 01-BrieMimiGrandmaNancy, 4. Red Panda, 5. Andy Garcia, 6. Mojito Power, 7. extraordinary symbols, 8. Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Cake and its Chocolate-Ginger Mousse, 9. the Clinquant of Hope, 10. Joy of life, 11. Golden Clouds, 12. Flip Flop Swap Goodies

I totally stole this one from Amy

1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr search.

2. Using only the first page of results, pick one image.

3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.

4. Post your mosaic on your blog.

5. Enjoy!

The questions:

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favorite food right now?

3. What high school did you go to?

4. What is your favorite color?

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

6. What is your favorite drink?

7. What is your dream vacation?

8. What is your favorite dessert?

9. What do you want to be when you grow up?

10. What do you love most in life?

11. What is one word that describes you?

12. What is your flickr name

Happy Birthday my love, my life

2008-05-07T08:56:00.006-04:00

It may seem like an ordinary day to others, but today is the day where I bend knee to thank God for you and the life that we have. What may seem like any other day is the wonderful anniversary of the day that you were born. I'm sure that your parents had no idea on that day that you were to be as amazing as you are. I'm sure that looking at you, they were both in awe and couldn't imagine you being anymore wonderful than you were in that very moment. However, they learned.

They learned about your kindness as you grew and brought home hand made gifts and trinkets. They learned about your intelligence as they were amazed with your accomplishments at school. They learned about your wit with all your quick retorts and the wonderful sounds of your laughter. They learned about your compassion while watching you care for Baron as well as your amazing bonds with friends. They also learned about your mischievousness through all your antics with your cousin and friends. (Boy did they ever learn THAT!)

I, however, had very little time to learn all this before falling helplessly in love with you. You were handsome, kind, smart, funny, bold and strong and I loved you. I loved you and I have since that moment on. There's never been a moment since then in which I haven't loved you with all that I have within me.

Our years together have been peppered with sadness as well as anger. We have disagreed and we have argued as well as crying and laughing. We've moved forward, then backwards, only to push further forward in our lives together. I want you to know that through it all, my love for you has never faltered and, in all the years to come, it never will.

I want to thank you for blessing me with the honor of guarding your love and having our son. To look at him and know that this is something made from both of us and our love amazes me to this day. I shall never be able to repay you for the wonderful gift that our son is to me. Thank you seems so inadequate for all that I have been given by you.

So, today I want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE! I hope that this coming year is full of even more joy and happiness for you. I pray that all your heart's desires are fulfilled just as much as you have fulfilled mine. I will try to bring you a fraction of the swonderful life that you have brought me because, I know, that there is no way that I could ever dream of being able to make you as happy as you have made me. I can't imagine my life without you in and am in awe of my luck at having you love me.

Tag you are it!

2008-04-16T21:40:00.005-04:00

First, Moriah tagged me for a little meme that's kinda cute and been running around (frankly I'm surprised that any of you are still here with as lazy as I've been about blogging):P. Here be the specifics:

1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules.
3) Share six non-important things / habits / quirks about yourself.
4) Tag at least three people.
5) Be sure the people you tagged KNOW you tagged them by commenting what you did.

My stuff:

1. I am a neat freak at work everything has to be in it's place and any non-essentials thrown away. All my tubings, bags, bottles, syringes must be fresh and dated. However outside of work, I have many multiple piles all over the house and never put the same thing in the same spot twice. Despite this, I know where everything is. This drives my husband insane.

2. I DESPISE putting laundry away. I don't mind washing and drying. I even like folding things the right way so that everything is nice and neat and the same size. . . . .and then UGH! Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate putting it away. What a waste of time! Again, hubby is driven batty.

3. I had two miscarriages before successfully carrying our son. I spotted with his pregnancy and fretted over him the entire pregnancy (although I continued to work until the day I went into labor). I called my hubby with each and every twang putting him into fits of despair I am sure although he was extremely supportive.

4. I was very close to my great-grandmother growing up. She died on the day before my first communion. About 3 years later, I saw her sitting on the edge of my bed waving at me to let me know she was there. My husband thinks it was all a dream. It was in the middle of the day and I know what I saw. Nobody else saw her. Hubby thinks I'm insane on this point. Whatever.

5. My day isn't successful unless I make my patient smile at least once in my shift (barring those days when I am lucky just to keep my patient alive through my shift). There's nothing better than to hear your patient laugh or to see their eyes light up as they smile - especially when they do it despite their breathing tubes, etc. Makes my day every time. No insanity with this one, just some Patch Adams therapy (Ok, maybe a little craziness from me but would you rather have Nurse Ratched?)

6. I got my first (and so far only) tattoo at the age of 36. It took me that long b/c I wanted something that would mean something to me no matter my age AND that wouldn't look silly when I was old (gotta love them grandmas with their skull tattoos or birds/flowers on the breasts- NICE) and give my family something to be horrified about. I settled on the Univ of Miami split "U". It's on my lower back. Yeah, it's a tramp stamp but I like it and it isn't going to turn into some unidentifiable blob when I am old. Hmmm, does that make me crazy?

hmmmmmm I think I am going to tag. . . . . .

1. A Nurse who Knits

2. Knitting RN

3. Nurse Shar Knits

Oh, and BTW, could you tell that I had a fabulous day at work today?????!!!!???

Have I told you all this yet?

2008-04-10T17:20:00.004-04:00

I think I totally forgot about this but I want to let you know that I have recently become a bzzagent at bzzagent.com. It's a great opportunity to try out new products and have my opinions heard as well as being able to tell my friends about new products and services that I feel may be useful to them.

I am in the midst of participating in my first campaign and I have not been disappointed. I am trying out the Glade Wisp Flameless Candle and can I tell you guys, I LOVE IT!

First, it's so easy to put together. In my kit I also had a choice between the "Clean Linen" scent and the "Hawaiin Breeze" scent. Yummy! I first tried the Clean Linen scent and it's so light but still makes our entire family room and kitchen area smell lovely. I placed it on our mantel and from a distance, it really does look like a flaming candle. There is a choice of 5 different fragrance levels as well as being able to use it with the "flame" option on or off. When using the "flame" option, the system will automatically go to the no "flame" option after 3 hours (to conserve batteries). Nice. So, wonderful fragance that is battery operated (eliminating the dangers of wall socket units and actual flaming candles) as well as still giving the ambiance of a "flame". So nice.

The best thing was that after our 10 day vacation, when we came into the house, the entire first floor smelled wonderfully fresh and clean. Yeah. If you are looking for a deodorizer option, you might want to check this one out.

Still alive and knitting!

2008-04-10T11:15:00.004-04:00

Yes, yes, the rumours are true. Knittingnurse is indeed alive and KNITTING! Whew. So much to say. Well let's see. Um, DH and I are still wrestling insurance companies et al re: the total loss on our 7 day old car! Which, btw, now looks like this:

But, again, we are all safe and sound. That's what matters and dealing with this stuff re: the car doesn't seem so bad in light of what could have happened to us.

Since then I have been knitting and have finished 2 pairs of felted clogs, a pair each for DS and DH. I have the wool to make a pair for myself, but, that's been put on the backburner. Uh, let's see. I've started and have woefully not completed SOTS2 - Savannah. I am making the original or Savannah version of the stole but may turn around and make the charleston version (with beads) as well. It's a lovely stole and a great pattern to follow so, we'll see. I haven't completed her b/c I got sidelined with the clogs and about 6 dishcloths that I've made as giftees. Um, I have also started (I know, I know) and am halfway to completing my first Baby surprise jacket. I am using up the rest of my blueberry & pistachio Cotton-ease for this one. It will be gifted to a neighbor for her newest addition. I have been good and have also picked up a few old and until recently ignored UFOs. Of these, I am working on completing a pair of socks started waaaaay ago as well as a few other UFO's which I won't jinx by writing about.

I will take photos of these and post when I get a moment (not too soon probably).

Knittingnurse and fam went on vacation over DS's spring break to Montchanin Delaware and NYC!!!! First we spent 2 nights at one of my favorite Inns of all time, The Inn at Montchanin Village . This was our 2nd stay but the first had been so memorable that I had wanted to return since we first left. DH planned it into our trip and I had just as lovely a time as when we were there the first time. We will return once more. When? Who knows, but it will happen. It's quaint and quiet and beautiful and I love it there.

But now, onto NYC!!!! We stayed 5 nights in Jersey City at a Marriott right next door to a path station which conveniently took us straight into Manhattan. We spent the last 2 nights at a Marriott in Manhattan to top off the trip. DS and I had never been and it had been years for DH. What a great time was had by all. DH took me to 3 different shops while there and I did get some 'souvenir stash' to bring home. (Too much really to be called just souvenir stash, but, vacation yarn doesn't count right?). Anyhow, I will write another post detailing the trip later and will post some pics of the trip as well. It was great.

Glad to be backed. I missed writing to you. Hopefully you are all still there as well!

One last thing, please go over to Nautical Knitter and wish her well and send some prayers and love her way. She really needs it right now. Thanks!

On a dime

2008-03-08T22:57:00.002-05:00

So, I hadn't blogged about this but, if there were a time to blog about it, the time would be now. Last weekend (exactly 1 week ago today) we drove up to OH to trade in my husband's Pontiac bonneville for his newest car, a black cherry Cadillac CTS. Yep. My FIL works for GM and we lease cars via the employee leasing program. The lease on the Bonneville was up and we got a deal on the CTS. It was a sweet and beautiful car.

Operative word is "was".

Tonight on the way home from dinner, less than a half a mile from home (actually just 1 turn left to get into the development) we were in an accident. We were coming up on the last intersection before our development when a car coming from the other direction thought they had enough time to turn left in front of us. Yeah, not so much.

The Caddy? Well, I may not know that much about cars but I do know when a car is beyond repair. Ours is. I'm sure. The entire front end of our car came up to the dash. Literally.

Each and every single airbag in that thing deployed. Both Front bags, both front side bags, both back side bags and, unless I was just too in shock, maybe one from the back window? Is that even possible? Maybe not. But DEFINITELY all 5 of the other ones did. BTW, that dust released by airbags when they deploy is horrible. My throat is still scratchy from inhaling it but if that's the worse I have to complain about, it's all good.

Let me tell you all something. That Cadillac? Worth every penny if I were to buy one. We were all, of course, wearing seatbelts but considering the damage to the car, I can't believe that we all walked out without a scratch. Sore? Absolutely. But nothing broken or cut. The inside passenger area (what is that called again?) held up to the impact. It was a bit difficult for people to open the two front doors but they did open and DS's door in the back opened without a hitch. DH and DS were sore but not in any real pain. I, on the other hand, had a sore neck so, I got a nice ride in a shiny ambulance on a back board with a C-collar. UGH! Thankfully my CT and Xrays were all OK and we were all just warned by the ED staff about how horribly sore we will be in the morning. Great. DS was such a champ. Didn't even really complain once. All he was was worried about me. Such a big guy. He said he was "sore, but OK".

3 1/2 hours and a cab ride home later, we are back and trying to wind down from the whole thing. Boy, it makes you really think of how absolutely precious and fragile life is. Would the Bonneville have held up as well? What if one of us happened to have not had our seatbelt on (we ALWAYS do but, y'know it makes you think). Thank God that we are all conscientious enough to wear seat belts and that the car held up so well (bless you GM). Poor hubby is on the phone making a claim with the other driver's insurance company.

We are going to go the the towing place tomorrow to gather up anything left in the car and to take pictues. Funny, the first pictures that I will be posting taken with my new camera is going to be of our new, but totalled, car.

You'll remember just how quickly things can change when you see the picture. I am just so happy that we are all OK.

Remember to kiss your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you. Oh, and one more thing. . . .

always wear your seatbelts!

Look at what I just found.

2008-03-08T15:01:00.003-05:00

I just joined BZZAGENT and have started to do some survery and reviews for them. In relation to my reviews, I just found this:

Visit HeatEatReview

How cool is this? I have to get frozen foods for us as sometimes I just don't have time to cook from scratch. Who wants to cook after working 12 hours and being out of the house for nearly 14? Anyhow, often I would like to try new companies or meals but get leery as I have had quite a few meals that I just don't like or that are so pitiful in amounts that I have to eat something else right after. I think I will be using this reference when looking for new options. It even provides all the nutritional info I want to look at.

Who knew?

Not really a quiz but still. . . . .

2008-03-05T10:49:00.003-05:00

69 words

Speed test

So, I've been consumed with that time sucking addiction that is Ravelry especially the Ravelry Games Group. Sigh. I'm such a geek. I have so much fun with word play games though and that's what this group is all about. DH thinks it's a hoot to see me on the forum. Oh well.

I'm all into AI again this year. I have to say though, I don't know what the fuss is about. Randy, Paula and Simon keep speaking about how "it's the best season of American Idol ever!" Really? Huh, I just don't see it that way. I am also really surprised that there are so many contestants that have had other singing careers and yet they are in the competition anyway. I mean some of them have had recording contracts before. I guess it's within the rules but, I think the opportunity should be given to people who have never had that chance. Oh well, what do I know?

I must say though that David Cook's performance last night was one of the best performances I have ever seen on the show. I think his vocals where spot on and his arrangement/interpretation of the song was so current and, as the judges say so often, very very relative to today's music scene. Missed it? Well, here ya go:

He's a bit of a hottie in that song, dontcha think? I don't know what Simon is thinking but he definitely had charm and charisma with that performance. Do you all think they will release a full version of that song on iTunes or just that little bit from the show? I hope they do the full version because I really want to get it. Even DH thought that he did really well with the song's arrangement and performance. So, there ya go.

I guess I haven't done my "who's going home" predictions this year have I? OK, better late than never. From the guy's last night, I think that Luke and Danny should go home but since Danny is this year's Sanjaya, then Luke and maybe Michael will go. It's a toss up for me between Michael and Jason. But I hope I am wrong and Danny goes.

My neighborhood just started a book club. We are meeting on our first book next week. We read "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Piccoult. Wowza! Good but intense read. I want to read some of her other titles but I need to stay on course with book club so I might use another of her titles as a "between" book. We haven't decided what we are going to read next but among the ones we are talking about choosing are:

The Glass Castle; The Next Thing on my List; Water for Elephants.

I'm also going to suggest 1000 Splendid Suns as that was recommended to me by a friend.

What are you reading now? Do you belong to a book club? Can you read and knit at the same time? If so, how? Do you take your knitting to your book club meetings?

Good Morning Meme!

2008-02-24T11:46:00.004-05:00

I hadn't seen this one before and I thought it was a good one so here I go! (Found and stolen from Amy)

MOUTHOLOGY
Q. What is your favorite fast food restaurant? A. Before we moved to NC I would have said Wendy's because that was my best option in OH. However, now that we have plenty of Chick-Fil-A restaurants around, that would be my answer. When I was a little girl, it was always a treat to have a chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-a whenever I would go to the mall with my folks so, it's a comforting favorite for me.

Q. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? A. I have to pick one? Really? I guess I would have to say that it depends on my mood. DH and I are always trying new restaurants so, I really can't just pick one.

Q. On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant? A. 15-20% however, I will say that I have no qualms about leaving as little as 5% if I have poor service. I won't ever not leave a tip because I want to be sure that they realize that I didn't "forget" or that I'm a non-tipping jerk. I want them to realize that poor service doesn't get rewarded in my book. I'm pretty lenient in my definition though. If it's busy or the kitchen's fault, I don't fault the server. However, not friendly or forgetfulness/unavailability from a server = minimal tip.

Q. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? A. Pasta or gouda cheese & bread.

Q. What are your pizza toppings of choice? A. Pretty boring on this front, pepperoni with more pepperoni and cheese with extra cheese. What make a pizza for me though is the sauce. It should have some zing to it.

Q. What do you like to put on your toast? A. Butter.

TECHNOLOGY
Q. What is your wallpaper on your computer? A. Some boring canned wallpaper available from the computer.

Q. How many televisions are in your house? A. In use, three. All together 5 (1 in the guest bedroom and 1 in the attic not really used) It's so bad but we are TV addicts.

BIOLOGY
Q. Are you right-handed or left-handed? A. Right.

Q. Have you ever had anything removed from your body? A. I don't think so.

Q. What is the last heavy item you lifted? A. Er, probably a patient on Friday at work.

Q. Have you ever been knocked unconscious? A. Nope though there have been plenty of times when I wish I would have fainted.

BULL****OLOGY
Q. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? A. Geez, that's a hard one. Part of me would say yep and the other part says not a chance.

Q. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? A. I don’t know that I would change my first name but I might consider changing my middle name from "de los Angeles" (spanish for "of the Angels") to just plain Angela.

Q. What color do you think looks best on you? A. Fire engine red.

Q. Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake? A. Not that I can remember.

Q. Have you ever saved some one’s life? A. Many a time. Nurses save lives daily (and probably more than doctor's do, but, hey I'm biased that way!)

Q. Has someone ever saved yours? A. Yep. When I was about 8 years old or so I accidentally jumped into the deep end of a pool and began to struggle to get out (couldn't swim at the time very much at all and I panicked). Suddenly I saw an arm reaching for me in the midst of all my air bubbles in the water and a wonderful man had pulled me out of the water to safety. I learned to swim (not well but I can tread water) RIGHT after that.

DAREOLOGY
Q. Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100? A. Absolutely.

Q. Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000? A. Not a chance. I might not be able to knit or cook or craft or, etc. . . . .

Q. Would you never blog again for $50,000? A. I hate to say it but yep, (although I would miss you all, I could 'see' you all over at Ravelry! tee hee)

Q. Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000? A. Heck yeah. I might reconsider, if DH was against it though. Although I think he wouldn't mind b/c that's a lot of money and he would probably be proud that someone actually asked me to do it!

Q. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? A. If I was given enough time to finish it, absolutely!

Q. Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000? A. No, although, much to my hubby's chagrin, I am pro-capital punishment I wouldn't never try to play judge/jury.

DUMBOLOGY
Q: What is in your left pocket? A: Zilch.

Q: Is Napoleon Dynamite actually a good movie? A: It has it's moments but overall I would say it's just an OK movie.

Q: Do you sit or stand in the shower? A: Stand.

Q: Could you live with roommates? A: I think that I would be fine. I lived at home until I got married so I've never had a roomate other than DH and I think we've done OK for almost 19 years now.

Q: How many pairs of flip flops do you own? A: Not enough. I don't ever wear them "out" but I do like to wear them around during the summer. I currently have 5 pairs - 4 plastic/rubber and 1 pair in leather. I match my flips to my swimsuits when going to the pool. I know, I'm a dork.

Q: Last time you had a run-in with the cops? A: When I got a speeding ticket last year when my mom and aunt where visiting (I failed to notice the speed limit drop from 45 to 35mph in an area of Raleigh that I hadn't been familiar with).

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up? A: If I weren't already doing it I would STILL want to be a nurse.

LASTOLOGY
Q: Last Friend you talked to? A: Other than my DH and DS it would be Kathleen.

Q: Last person who called you? Kathleen.

Q: Last person you saw? A: DH and DS

FAVORITOLOGY
Q: Number? A: Eight. I like that it's the symbol for infinity turned on it's side.

Q: Season? A: That would be a toss up between Spring and Fall (although Spring has a slight edge b/c of all the flowers).

CURRENTOLOGY
Q: Missing someone? A: Yea, I miss my Dad and my Mother-in-law every day (they both died way too young).

Q: Mood? A: Peaceful (we just got back from church).

Q: Listening to? A: Drag racing that DH and DS are watching on the TV right now.

Q: Watching? A: Nothing but my computer screen right now.

Q: Worrying about? A: Funny, I'm such a worrier but right now, I'm not worrying about anything. That will change in about 30 seconds I'm sure. ;-}

RANDOMOLOGY
Q: First place you went this morning? A: 10:30 Mass.

Q: What can you not wait to do? A: Finish knitting my Secret of the Stole 2 (oh yeah, finish SOTS 1 too!)

Q: What’s the last movie you saw? A: “Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium”

Q: Do you smile often? A: All the time.

Q: Are you a friendly person? A: I go out of my way to try and be friendly to every one. I used to be a wall flower (no, really, you can email hubby if you don't believe me!) but then I broke out of my shell and now I think I have been making up for lost time!

That's was fun to do. Like it? Go ahead and take it!

A meme and a contest.

2008-01-26T12:39:00.001-05:00

Moriah was sweet enough to inform me about Miss Me's very first contest for her very first blogiversary. Go check it out and if you enter be sure to let her know that I sent you!

Kay, so now to the meme. Moriah wants to know 7 random things about me so here comes the meme:

Here are the rules, and they must be posted to your blog.
Link to the person’s blog who tagged you (see above).
List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself.
Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog and also so they can look at your blog and not tag the same people all over again!

My 7 Random Things:

1) I had 2 miscarriages before finally having DS. I wanted more children but, it seems that was not in the stars for me.
2) I am perfectly thrilled with #1 above b/c I can't imagine a better kid than DS and he fills my life with joy everyday. I am truly blessed to have him in my life.
3) DH and I keep thinking about adopting a daughter but we haven't gotten our arses up to truly look into it. If we do adopt, we are going to adopt a 4-6 year old to shorten the age difference between her and DS.
4) I have a single tattoo and a single body piercing (besides earrings). I got them both AFTER my 30th birthday.
5) I used to swingdance for about 2 years on a regular basis and was DAMN GOOD!
6) I grew up in a single home but have lived in 9 different homes since being married (married for 18 years) - I am hoping (and praying) that we will live in this house until retirement (keep your fingers crossed for me)
7) Only 2 of those moves were done by movers - the other 7 were just us (UGH! and NEVER again)

Boy, that was a weird collection of 7 things. Huh, what a weird mindset this morning. OK let's see. . . . . .

I tag:

1) Katharine
2) Moonstitches
3) Suzie
4) Erin
5) THE Knitting Nurse
6) Knitting RN
7) Parikha

Hopefully you all will play along!

Do Not be alarmed

2008-01-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

We have interrupted this blog to participate in the time sucking vices that are Dance Dance Revolution and, as of tonight, Guitar Hero III.

No need for alarm. There has been knitting.

1 pair of felted clogs for DS - done.

1 pinwheel baby blanket (early) for baby that came 9 weeks early - done.

SOTS - progress made.

Few and far between knitting but it has been continuing. Gotta go. I need to beat "In the Sunshine of your Love" now.

he he

Speaking it doesn't mean you can knit it

2007-12-18T11:47:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am fluent in Spanish. Yes I can read in Spanish. Can I knit in Spanish? er, no. I don't know any of the terminology and I certainly wouldn't be able to figure out any complicated pattern work (SSK, PSSO, KFB - who the heck knows how that is said in Spanish?).

Anyhow, why does that matter? It matters because months ago I found this lovely online zine. It has a few really nice patterns but, heck if I know what they are talking about in the directions!

I added it to my bloglines anyhow thinking that someday I would be adventurous enough to either figure it out or look up the translations somewhere.

Well, guess what? They've translated some of their patterns for me! Yeah! Look at these lovelies. Beautiful no?

Gotta go. Gonna add them to my Ravelry queue!

Finished Objects, Rachel Ray, etc.

2007-12-13T09:47:00.001-05:00

So, since the last time we've been together there have been a couple of covert projects that snuck in and, believe it or not, got FINISHED! First off was a fun little knit that I love, love, love!
Cute huh? It's a ruffly scarf made with Online Linea 194 Solo yarn. So easy. So fun. It makes me feel like I'm wearing a boa! tee hee. I got the yarn during our most recent trip to Asheville when I saw the shop model and HAD to have one just like it. Very satisfying knit. Now if it would drop back down to below the 70's so that I could wear it, I would be happy. (Can you believe that it went from mid 50's to upper 70's and 80 degrees here overnight and it's still that warm? UGH! It's Winter and Christmas is less than 2 weeks away. It needs to be cooler!)

Oops, tangent rant. Let's get back on track shall we? The next covert project was a result of this little one's early arrival
That would be Baby Girl C. She came into the world 9 weeks early as her mommy was having some serious blood pressure issues. She is the daughter of my cousin although I call her my neice. That picture is of her the day after she was born and she's now 2 1/2 weeks old and looks like this: Look at all that hair for a preemie! So, so cute! Anyhow, she warranted the immediate cast on and completion of this beauty:That would be the Pinwheel Baby Blanket done in 3 different colors of Cotton Ease; snow (white), strawberry cream (light pink - d/c'd color - rats) and bubble gum (dark pink - d/c/d color - rats again!)

So, after being derailed b/c of Baby C, I finally got back to working on my SOTS (which I was woefully behind on anyway). I don't have any of the most recent pictures of it but it isn't to far from this: I've done more of the middle back portion but really haven't gotten back into the "meat" of the lace knitting yet. But I'm going at it as much as I can.

Let's see. Oh, DS and I waited for about 5 hours to meet my cooking goddess who was extremely nice in person. Poor thing had signed over 1500 books by the time we got to her and was still smiling and talkative to both myself and DS. Here are a few shots from the book signing:

The silly woman in white who stood RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of the photos was her publicist. Geez, y'think she would have known people were photographing the signing? UGH!

We've been going to a couple of holiday parties and I've gotten to get dolled up. YEAH! Love to get to play dress up from time to time. Here are the pictures (of course)

That's about it for now. DS is in the school's chorus and has quite a few performances coming up. I'll have to post about them and further knitting/crafting projects next time.

Bye!

'Tis the Season. . . . .

2007-12-03T12:20:00.000-05:00

for a Christmas MEME! haha. Here goes:

Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE ! Just copy this entire post and then replace my answers with yours!

'Tis the Season to be NICE !

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapping paper but gift bags for things that are too hard to wrap or way too big!!!

2. Real tree or artificial?

BOTH! We have an artificial tree that's our "formal" tree in the formal living room. It's all decorated with Burgundy, Green and Gold ornaments and ribbons. We have our real tree in our family room. That's the one with all our family and annual ornaments. There is so much fun in going out and finding "the" tree and then reminiscing while putting up all the family, home-made and annual ornaments. . . . that reminds me. I need to go get out 2007 ornaments. YIKES!

3. When do you put up the tree?

On Black Friday! It's the only thing that I will go out shopping for on that day! It's a big tradition to go find the perfect tree and set it up. Then we decorate the formal tree that day while waiting for the branches on the live tree to drop. That whole weekend is spent on christmas decorations around the house while playing christmas music!

4. When do you take the tree down?

Not until after Epiphany. Being Cuban, we celebrated Epiphany each year and we continue to do so as a family now.

5. Do you like eggnog?

It's alright but I prefer coquito (hispanic eggnog)

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

Anything Barbie.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

I think that at last count I have 3 - maybe 4? There's one in the formal living room, one in the dining room and another in the family room. . . . hm, I think I am missing the little one that goes in my bedroom come to think of it. . . .

8. Hardest person to buy for?

DH and his Dad

9. Easiest person to buy for?

DS and my Mom

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

I don't remember any sticking out in my head as bad so I guess I really haven't had any?

11. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Mail

12 . Favorite Christmas movie?

The year without a Santa Claus (the heat and cold misers crack me up) and Santa Claus is coming to town (love how the explain all the things about santa in that one plus the mean guy that runs the town is funny)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Believe it or not, I start to look for stuff around Halloween time. I hate last minute shopping b/c I feel like I end up buying stuff just to get stuff. I prefer making sure that I get the 'right' gifts so, I start early.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Nope.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

If I could, I would have the traditional Cuban Pig Roast dinner like when I was growing up! Since I can't I love my Turkey dinner complete with canned cranberry jelly. Yum-O!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Tee hee, again, it's BOTH. Clear on the formal tree and colored on the family tree.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

O Holy Night

18. Travel for Christmas or stay home?

I must say I prefer just staying home but you can all come visit if you'd like!

19. Can you name all of Santa's' reindeer?

Yep!

20. Angel on the treetop or star?

I know, it's getting old but, again, BOTH. Angel on formal and Star on family tree (in fact the star we have is the one that DH had growing up).

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Christmas Morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Crowds at EVERY SINGLE STORE regardless of whether I'm christmas shopping or not. Why do people insist on waiting until the last minute? UGH!

23. What I love most about Christmas?

Seeing DS running down and watching his face when he first sees the presents under the tree. I love going to Christmas mass as well. It really reminds me of what Christmas is all about.

24. What's your favorite Christmas Memory?

DS's first christmas when we put him in the stocking we got from the hospital and took a picture of him under the tree. He's been the best christmas present EVER!

25. Believe or Not?

ABSOLUTELY Believe!

Now, I think that I will Tag Miss Pink, Miss Jennifer, Miss Jeanne, Miss Amy and Miss Lolly. Tell us all about you and Christmas!

LOVE THIS!!!!

2007-12-03T10:35:00.001-05:00

This is what blogging is truly about and although I've lived it for a while, I am publicly declaring that I now will be

Yeah! Yes there has been knitting. There has also been a baby born to knit for as well. All details will be posted when I can. Right now, I have knitting, crafting and cleaning to do.

Love you all!

Happy Turkey Day!

2007-11-21T11:24:00.000-05:00

(The above turkey is from Ruthlessknitting -isn't it darling? I wish she had the pattern available now!)

Tomorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the US. I have today off as well so we are going to do the last minute grocery shopping and cleaning. We aren't having a HUGE celebration but we are having a neighborhood family come on over. Our friends have 2 boys and were staying in town as well so we thought we would spend the meal together. I have the turkey and pumpkin pie to do. She's doing the apple pie, shrimp cocktail, wine and stuffing. We are each doing a potatoe dish (she sweet potatoes, me regular potatoes) and a vegetable (she's doing green bean casserole and I'm doing ???????). Pretty fair distribution I think.

The boys will be able to play together before and after the meal and the men can watch football while we finish up the cooking. Luckily, my house has an open floor plan that allows us to talk with them from the kitchen while they watch the games. We've already decided that the men will do the cleaning up (we might have neglected to tell them that so far. . . . .tee hee) and we will KNIT! Yep, she knits as well and has recently been inspired by my knitting to start knitting again. Yeah!

I'm looking forward to a great day.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all and I hope that the coming year brings you all plenty more to be thankful for!

Just what I needed

2007-11-13T17:28:00.000-05:00

So, last post was a huge bummer I know. But, it is where I was at and what I needed to write. It helped to write it all out.

Hubby was great and took me and DS away for the weekend. We drove about 3 hours or so to the coast and spent the long weekend at Atlantic Beach, NC. Great time was had by all. Usually our weekends away are chock full of stuff to do and we are constantly going, going, going until it's bedtime. This was different. Although we had one place to visit each of the 3 days, each site was done leisurely and then the rest of the day was spent, er, 'vegging' (for lack of a better word). So here's the recap:

Saturday morning we took off for our drive. The weather was cool but dry and just a little cloudy. Great day for an indoor activity - the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knolls Shore which is just one of three aquariums that we have here in NC. We saw lots of different fish/animals and had a great time. Here are a few pics from the aquarium:
Overall we gave the Aquarium a thumbs up!

Sunday we decided to go to visit Fort Macon. Very interesting and really fun to explore. The day was perfect with cloudless blue, blue skies and weather in the mid-60's. Fabuloso! After the Fort, we walked along the beach and went shell hunting. Here are the pix:

We also took DS to see "The Bee Movie". It was entertaining and well done but, the story was a bit far fetched even by animated movie standards. DS enjoyed it though and it was entertaining so, I wouldn't buy the DVD or anything but I'm glad we saw it.

Monday was our day to take a ferry over to the island and visit Cape Lookout. What a great place! First of all, the 'season' is over and it usually isn't busy anyway because there is nothing on the island except the lighthouse. We took a small ferry (a large skiff really) with a few other folks and explored the island. We didn't get to go into the lighthouse (there are only 4 days a year where the actual lighthouse is open) but we did go into the lighthouse keeper's home and read alot about the history of Cape lookout and Cape Lookout Sound. There were so few people there that it felt as though we were the only ones on the island. It was quiet and peaceful and as we walked the shore we heard the birds and the waves and collected sea shells. Pure heaven!

All in all, it was a great weekend. We had something to do each day but each visit was just a few hours and the rest of the time was spent quietly relaxing and just spending time together. I truly appreciated my family this weekend and was filled with many happy memories of my own family weekends as I was growing up. I felt like Daddy was with me and I felt a warmth of love from my husband and son that reminded me of the love of my Daddy. I realized he'll always be with me. It was a good weekend.

Today and this weekend

2007-11-09T09:51:00.001-05:00

I am going to request no comments to this post please. I don't know how to turn them off for a post and I don't have the inclination of researching it right now. Thanks for understanding.

Today is the 10th anniversary of the last time I spoke with my Daddy. That day was a Friday as well.

This weekend is going to be huge for me to get through. There are so many details to the story and so much guilt on my part over his death. I can't get into details right now, I'm not in the frame of mind to actually write the words out. Let's just say, I'm a cardiac nurse and I was a daughter when I should have been a bit more of a nurse. . . I still feel like I let him and my Mom down. 'nuf said.

This weekend is going to be hard b/c a DECADE seems like an impossibility. How can it actually have been that long when it feels like it happened TODAY!?! Besides the length of time, it happens to also fall on the same days of the week.

So, I know that this weekend will be like reliving it all over again. "At this time I was talking to him" "Now, I was calling the hospital and heard about the bleed" "I talked to Mom right now" "We spoke with the doctors at this time" "I kissed him for the last time right about now". . . . . .

The worse part of it all is thinking how life could have been so different had this horrible horrible thing never happened. DS would have KNOWN him. Daddy got to meet and hold and love him. Thank God. I will hold those memories dearly for the rest of my life. But, my son never got to know him. He wasn't even a year old when Daddy passed away. He doesn't have any memories of him.

I miss my Daddy. I miss him every day. Before my Daddy died and I would hear people say "I think about so so every day of my life" I thought "Isn't that a bit of an exaggeration? Do you really think about them EVERY SINGLE DAY?" I had lost family members and, though I thought of them often, every single day was a bit of a stretch. Or so I thought. Then my Daddy died. Then I knew.

I have thought of my Daddy every single day. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. His passing also brought my wonderful mother-in-law's death to me every single day. She was like a second Mom and life would have been totally different as well had she not died. They both died from very similar circumstances and both abruptly and unexpectedly. It's made it that much harder to have both of them to grieve for daily. Sometimes I feel like I can't breathe.

There is an emptiness within my soul that can never be filled. There is a place where a part of me has been taken and no one else can ever refill. I was my Daddy's little girl and he was my big strong hero. My safety net. I made him smile and he made me feel like a princess. He would smile at me and I would instantly be filled with joy and happiness. He would put up with me hanging all over him whether or not he was dead tired or sore or cranky or hurting or anything else. He would let me tickle him when he HATED to be tickled b/c we would laugh together and it would make me happy. He knew by looking at me just what I would like to do and knew just when to do it. HE took care of me in a way that no one else will ever be able to.

The last thing I said to him was that he would be OK. That it would all be alright and not to worry. I lied. I didn't know I was lying but I lied. It wasn't and it isn't and I can't take that back. I can't take back that the last thing I told him was a lie and that I let him down. He never let me down. I let my Mom down. He would have never allowed that to happen.

I miss my Daddy. I miss him every single day. It isn't an exaggeration.

Oh Dear,

2007-10-26T11:09:00.000-04:00

Seems like I've let quite a bit of time pass since posting notice of completing Cherie and actually getting back on to post a picture! Sorry for the delay but without any further delays, here she is:

I love her! It's the quickest knit I've ever made (besides dischcloths) and I think it's one of my faves so far. No modifications made and the fit was spot on. I know that many knitters have had issues with the neckline decrease portion of the pattern but, I guess I was lucky? I just knit what it said and it seemed to work for me without any questions. The thin/thick quality of the Manos gives it a feel that really appeals to me for this knit so, overall I am happy with the process and the end product!

So, I've been doing quite a bit of knitting in my absence from the blogging world. I've finished clue #1 and started #2 of my Secret of the Stole. Yep, I'm behind but I'm enjoying the knitting so, I am not too concerned about it. I just want to finish and I will be happy to keep myself in check, within 2 clues of the forerunners, until I am done with it.

My heart was broken since I've last blogged but, I will get over it (again). Sigh. There's always next year right?

A couple of weeks ago, we took an overnight trip to Biltmore for their Harvest Celebration. I was hoping that the leaves would be starting to turn for our drive on the most visited Parkway in the US but, alas, not yet. (I bet it's GORGEOUS now!) We had a great time away and enjoyed ourselves. We took our first ever specialty tour at the Estate, the 'rooftop tour'. We got to see some different areas and views that we hadn't seen before. Here are some of my fave shots of that day:

DS has been having a great time this Fall. There are so many more neighborhood kids his age in this development and he's made quite a few friends. There are a core group of 4-6 boys that come over each afternoon to play and jump on our trampoline. It's so cool to have kids FINALLY be able to just ride their bikes over and ask him to play. In Ohio, I always had to organize playdates and have kids dropped off or drop him off somewhere. Then I would have to watch the clock to be able to pick him up in time or make sure that no new games were started too close to pick up time. Now? Now, he goes off with his friends or they come over and they play until they're tired or it gets to be dinner time. LOVE IT! He's also been "booed". . . TWICE! Despite posting the first "boo" sign, we STILL got "booed" a second time. How cool! He also had a ball sneaking over and 'booing' his friends in the dark. Very spyish y'know!

Uh, for those of you that don't know about "booing" here's a link with an explanation and all you need to start your own 'booing'.

Other than that, life's been the same over here. Work. DH traveling (blech). Sunny being sunny. DS being wonderful. It's all good.

Yep.

All good!

Don't stop believin'!

2007-10-16T09:25:00.000-04:00

Go TRIBE!!!!

I can taste it. . . . . .

2007-10-12T21:33:00.000-04:00

tee hee. All the knitting is done.

Now there is just seaming to do.

Woo hoo!

Good vs. Bad

2007-10-10T08:22:00.000-04:00

The GOOD:

The Indians are on their way to Fenway Park! :-)

The BAD:

We are in NC this year and are missing all the 'fever' in Cleveland. :-(

The GOOD:

My FIL and his wife are coming to visit this weekend! :-)

The BAD:

I need to do some major housework between today and tomorrow. :-(

The GOOD:

DH STILL loves his job and has just had his 1 year anniversary! :-)

The BAD:

He's been doing a lot of traveling and is set to do more still. :-(

AND last but not least. . . . . . . . .

The GOOD:

One sleeve down and just one to go! :-)

The BAD:

Work has been so busy and life so crazy that I haven't had time to knit and I still don't have that much! :-(

I can't stand the wait anymore!

2007-09-27T10:19:00.000-04:00

10 hours and 41 minutes to go, but who's counting?

I'm such a two-timer! (psst actual knitting content)

2007-09-23T12:03:00.000-04:00

Well, actually, it would be more accurate to say 5 or 6 timer with the number of UFO's I have going right now. Yep, this is a knitting blog and I actually have knitting content! Will wonders never cease? tee hee.

Oh yeah, back to my scandalous ways. So, remember when Ashley recently tempted me with this beauty?. Well, actually I first started to notice Ashley's designs when this first came out. I thought "Wow, that's hot!" albeit a bit impractical for a 40ish suburban mom with that big peek a boo back. I was contemplating it sans said hole but not enough to actually begin it. Then in this month's Magknits we saw Ashley again with this. Once again, it caught my eye but not enough to put me over the edge.

But then. . . . . .

Then there was Cherie Amour. Oh, my. I just went into my best Stevie Wonder when I saw this one.

"My cherie amour, pretty little one that I adore. You're the only one my heart beats for. How I wish that you were mine. . . . . . . ."

ahem.

Anyway. I fell and I fell hard. So hard that I went out immediately and purchased (yikes, I know I know) the yarn for it. Now in my defense, I searched my stash but alas I had no yarn in sufficient quantity and correct gauge for this one. So, purchase it was. Thankfully I still had some credit on the gift certificate that DH got me for Christmas last year (yep! I can show restraint when I want to, see?). I did have to purchase a 24" size 13 circular but, that's beyond the point.

So, cast on I did and after just 3 knitting sessions, this is where I am:

Isn't she beautiful? (uh, the sweater I mean). I love it. I would be much further along had it not been for some snaffoos I had yesterday in the neckline decreases. I had to knit and unknit a total of 12 rows (knit 2 1/2 - realize a mistake - unkit 2 1/2 - knit 4 1/2 - find mistake - unknit 2 1/2, etc.) That's what I get for knitting while watching college football I guess. But, I'm happy with the results and glad to have fixed all my mistakes. I'm so close to the end I can't stand it.

Specifics: Cherie Amour
Fall 2007 Knitty
24" addi-turbo circulars in both US 9 and US 13
Manos del Urugay kettle dyed wool
Color 107

My goal is to have her done before the start of Secret of the Stole. I think I can do it. What do you all think?

Finally finished.

2007-09-19T17:17:00.001-04:00

I finished my Mother's Day project stitching today. It will be in the mail in the morning to become part of the tote bag. As I stitched I was thinking of what took me so long to finish this. I picked it up because I received notice of the deadline. I HAD to finish it now. I wouldn't fail Linda Villar. It would be completed.

What had taken me so long? Why had I not completed it straight away? It is such a small piece of stitching. 1.7 inches long and about .4 inches tall. Miniscule. 12 letters with a single period after her middle initial. That's it. What could have possibly prevented me from finishing it in a more timely fashion?

Was it forgetfulness? No. I had the hoop with the partially stitched name on my dresser. I saw it almost every day. I thought of Linda J. Villar. Pictured her photo in my mind quite often since receiving her name and looking her up. It was definitely not forgetfulness.

Was it apathy? On the contrary. I felt myself sigh every day as I looked at her name staring back at me. I had completed "Linda J. V" and stopped but I saw the red of the finished letters and an anger would rise in me that I couldn't prevent. So, nope, not apathy either.

Was it inability or lack of time? Thinking back on the time that has passed since beginning this project, there have been plenty of times when I could have picked up the stitching to complete those last precious 5 letters. I almost picked it up many a time but then would just touch the fabric, say a prayer and leave it there unfinished and waiting once more. I've done needlework almost all my life and have the ability to complete this and I knew it would take 20 - 30 minutes to do. Not this either.

So, what exactly was IT that kept me from completing it until I absolutely had to? I wasn't sure at first but as I sat on my couch and slowly stitched the remaining 5 letters I thought about it. I stitched and thought of Linda. I stitched and thought of all the other names that will be on this tote. I stitched and thought of all the soldiers who will come to perish and not have there names on this tote. I prayed a little too.

Then I looked down and it was done. The last 5 letters. I added a little floral detail to the end of her name. Still all in red for her shed blood. But a little something else to honor her. Like flowers on a grave. And that was that. Done.

THEN I knew. I knew why I hadn't completed this earlier. Why I stared at it and left it on my dresser. Why I wouldn't finish the stitching without the prompt of a deadline. . . . . .

I didn't finish because completing her name was so final. Like her death. I wouldn't be stitching this anymore and her name would be on a tote that she should have never been on. Finishing it was like her dying all over again in my mind. A part of me deep down inside didn't want her name to be on the tote. Didn't want it to have to be on the tote. And yet, it needs to be. She is part of the loss in this war and she earned her place on the tote. I just didn't finish because I was wishing she hadn't had to.

Sigh. I love this kind of music.

2007-09-19T10:26:00.000-04:00

Have a GREAT day and enjoy!

MUST NOT START ANOTHER PROJECT!

2007-09-13T15:12:00.001-04:00

But THIS is so very, very tempting!

She's really outdone herself this time

2007-09-09T13:46:00.001-04:00

Alright, so you all know how much I LOVE my friend Amy's knitting bags? I own 3 myself and have gifted quite a few as well. They are just great project bags and are very well made.

Well, she's got some new ones that are so so cool! She's starting a retro inspired "Jetsons" Series with "Daughter Judy" and "Jane his Wife" which are darling. PLUS, "Jane his Wife" supports the Susan G. Komen Foundation as she is donating part of the profits to the foundation. Go take a gander and check them out.

Fun, fun and more fun

2007-09-08T20:45:00.001-04:00

I've been pretty negligent in my posting. I received my "Pay it forward" gift last week and never posted about it. Moriah really outdid herself with my package:

Look at what a great graphic she came up with:

I think I might just have to steal that for my PIFs! And the soap was so wonderful! Thanks again Moriah!

I've been working on assorted dishcloths myself in preparation for my part of the dishrag tag. Y'know, finding a pattern that is interesting yet quick to knit. However, my team's box seems to have gotten lost on it's way to me from California! Ugh! Oh well, the race is over - Congrats to the winners! - but I still want to get the box so that everyone in my team gets a turn at it. Hopefully it will turn up soon. No pictures of the cloths I've made as I have gifted them to ladies at work.

I've been working on my chevron scarf and it's coming along nicely. I'm more than half way through the yarn and should have a finished product relatively soon. I'm waiting until that time to take a final picture and then post. It's going to be so pretty! Question is, do I keep it or gift it? Not sure yet. We'll see when it's done.

Lastly, I was playing around on knitter crack and somehow came across this pattern. How could I resist? Let me start off by saying that I used stash yarn to complete it and it just took 1 1/2 days. So quick and easy too! Wanna see mine? OK. . . . . .

I used a pale green Paton's Grace - it took less than a skein to make. Really this was such a fun, quick and entertaining knit. The fact that the yarn I used is a cotton yarn actually makes it, dare I say, wearable. Let me tell you, the fit is really nice and it's comfortable. I was really surprised as I thought it would never work as a garment. HAHAHAHAHA. I was thinking that I would make an I-cord and use elastic thread in the center of the I-cord to make it more wearable (vs. the ribbon).

Whodda thunk it?

ADDED 9/9/07

Click here to create your own painting.

Fabulous and AMAZING video

2007-08-31T09:09:00.000-04:00

My mom sent me this link. The site isn't youtube so I can't get the video on here directly but it is SO worth a look.

It's about that time again

2007-08-30T11:14:00.000-04:00

Jannett XXXXXX --

[noun]:

A master of storytelling

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

I can't help falling in love

2007-08-29T13:42:00.000-04:00

I really can't. I am hopelessly in love with my chevron scarf. It's SUCH a pleasing, relaxing and rewarding knit. I took new photos to show the progress here and on Ravelry. So, without further adieu my chevron scarf as of this morning:

How can I resist this?

Crazy, CRAZY I tell you!

2007-08-26T11:54:00.000-04:00

Yep, that would be me. Crazier than a LOON! So, not only did I already have too many UFO's on the needles throughout this house, not only am I expecting my team's box from the Dish Rag Tag this week, not only do I need to complete my Hogwarts Sock Swap 2 sock. . . . . .I started a Chevron Scarf. I don't usually fall prey to the "it" project (I still have not knit a jaywalker or a clapotis) but this one, I just couldn't pass up AND it's from stash yarn. Bonus!

I know, I KNOW. I stink. I can't help it though. Everyone has all those beautiful scarves everywhere on the blogosphere and in Ravelry. Have you seen these things? How could I resist?

So, want to take a looksy? Here it is:

You can see a couple of more shots of it on my Flickr page. It's about 3 or 4 times longer now and I can't put it down. It's an addictively easy and fun knit. I see a couple or more of these at some point in the future but hopefully not before I finish a couple of other things.

Hopefully.

Now, don't you want to make one too? C'mon, you know you do!

Meet the Simpsonized me!

2007-08-22T13:50:00.001-04:00

Get your own here

Six degrees of. . . . . . DRACO?

2007-08-19T12:21:00.001-04:00

So, over at my Hogwart's sock swap they are having a contest about connecting certain characters to Draco Malfoy ala "6 degrees of Kevin Bacon". You can read all about it on this post.

So, anyway, I love playing these kind of silly games so here goes:

I decided to start with Mad Eye Moody

1. Mad Eye Moody is ordered to protect Harry Potter by the Order of the Phoenix.

2. Harry Potter is Sirius Black's godson.

3. Sirius Black's cousin if Bellatrix LeStrange

4. Bellatrix LeStrange tortured Frank and Alice Longbottom (couldn't find a picture of them)

5. Frank and Alice Longbottom are Neville Longbottom's parents

6. Neville Longbottom is a classmate of Draco Malfoy

Tee hee. That was fun. It will be interesting to see how many different paths are taken to connect the characters. . . .

Speaking of the swap, I have cast on and knit past the cuff (yeah I'm going cuff down this time) on sock #2. . . . .but I spent some time on the crack site last night and now I want to cast on for a chevron scarf (I have 2 koigu's picked out already) AND Flair. All the stores and magazines are showing trapeze cropped jackets and I think Flair would fit the bill. Problem being, what yarn to use? I have some black cotton ease that I was thinking of and I also have some malabrigo in this color. The black would probably be better for a fall and winter cardigan though, huh?

Oooh an interactive quiz

2007-08-16T14:33:00.001-04:00

So, I found this on Angela's blog and, you know me and a good quiz. Thing about this one is that if you know me well enough, you can alter the results of my daemon by answering the questions. This is supposedly so that my true daemon can be determined. Let's see what happens:

PIF exchange

2007-08-12T20:56:00.000-04:00

OK,so you all know that I am in the Dish Rag Tag right? So, we are off and running and I was reading my team's forum so that I could participate with my team mates and find our just where we are in the race. So I started to do a little blog surfing among my team mate's blogs. I found information on the PIF Exchange from Alicia who found it from Alaina who got it from Jody. I was able to join in from Moriah's blog. So, just reading that last couple of sentences should give you a 'sense' of what it's all about. Here is the gist of the exchange (taken blatantly from Alaina's blog).

PIF Exchange

This exchange is based on this gorgeous movie with Helen Hunt in it called 'Pay It Forward'. How many of you out there have had a chance to watch it? O.K. If you've yet to see the movie, this is what the PIF Exchange is all about......

"Here is how it works! I'll send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange! I don't know what that gift will be yet, and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week...LOL... but you will receive it within 365 days, that's a promise! and it will be something yummy!! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog..."

So the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog, will get something made for them by me! I can't wait to see who you are! I should be able to come up with something good for you all, just you wait and see! Let me know you want in and if you are among the first 3, you'll be in! I'll need your email address when you comment so that I know how to reach you to obtain your address, ok?

Join in and then just pay it forward!

Fortunes. . . .

2007-08-10T11:03:00.000-04:00

First, Thanks to all of you for the kind words and well wishes regarding the recent anniversary. It was so nice to open my email and find your congratulations there. What a pick me up! Thanks again.

So, I originally had had this grand idea of posting a different fortune every week. At the time, I was going to my FAVE sushi lunch spot weekly so, it was a plausible idea. And then, my summer got really, really busy. So, the weekly sushi lunches went by the wayside. Sigh.

So, I have a new fortune to share and I guess that this will be a sporadic thing rather than weekly but, it makes for good blogging content (at least I think it does). So, I will add it periodically.

'Nuf said.

Today's fortune?

"The only man who never makes mistakes is the man who never does anything."

Amen to that.

Finally some more knitting

2007-08-06T15:00:00.001-04:00

OK, OK, so I am finally feeling better and can't sit down to a proper post. I have been up to some knitting during this brief run-in with a summer cold. I've worked on my Hogwart's Sock Swap and have almost completed sock number 1. Unfortunately, b/c this time around the swap isn't a secret one, I can not post progress pictures (RATS!) The time will have to wait until the pair is done and I ship them on to their new home. I need to keep up the pace so that they are done quickly and so that I will be ready for the race!

I need a quick but nice dishcloth pattern. Any suggestions ladies?

Lastly, my last Hogwarts Sock Swap pal had forgotten to include my needles in my package (oops!). Well, last week I got my needles and they were SO WORTH the wait. I got Lantern Moon Ebony DPNs. Wanna see? Take a look!

Beautiful, no?

Thanks so much Sandy!

Thanks for a great 18 years!

2007-08-05T10:47:00.000-04:00

Don't we look like such babies? It's hard to believe that it's been 18 years since that wonderfully happy day. There have been, of course, ups and downs but I wouldn't trade a minute of it. How else would we have gotten where we are today? I firmly believe that each of life's journeys, both happy and sad or trying, lead us to the places we are and I am VERY HAPPY where I am right now.

Thank you honey. You are my best friend, my lover, my provider and caretaker. You watch over our little family better than anyone could ever do and I thank God every day for you in my life.

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart! Here's to the next 18, 28, 38 and so on years to come.

I feel crappy

2007-08-02T20:03:00.000-04:00

My body is shaky, I'm sick to my stomach (on & off) and I have the headache from Hell. My nose is stuffy, my throat it scratchy, I have a crappy cough AND I haven't gotten a good night's sleep in a couple of nights. Had to stay home from work (after being cancelled on Monday and probably having to call off for tomorrow- crap we need the $$) and did NOT step foot out of the house for a single thing today AND it didn't drive me crazy! (Normally I would at least have to walk out on the deck or in the yard at some point.

BUT. . . . .

I DID start on the first sock for my pal's HP sock for Hogwarts Sock Swap 2. I would show you a picture of them except that this time around we KNOW who are pals are (we are doing a direct swap - she knits for me and I knit for her). Therefore, if I post a picture, there's a good likelihood that she'll see them and that would be no fun. . . . .

I can say that I knit the cuff and about 1 1/2 inches of the leg (so about 2 1/2 inches) which doesn't seem like a lot but I WAS after all sick and everything. . . .

I won't go too much into detail except to say that the beautiful Rio de la Plata in my last post will be the body of the socks and there is an alternate yarn for the cuff, heel and toe. Is it bronze? Is it silver? Is it variegated? I can't say. SOMETHING has to be a surprise, right?

I am surprised that I went cuff down. But, I found THE pattern and feeling sick and all I didn't want to think about how to convert it from cuff down to toe up. Oh well, that means that I will probably have some yarn left . . . . . maybe for opposite socks?

We'll see.

Oh, in other knitting news, I FINALLY found a new knitting group since moving. I foudn them through meetup and I FINALLY got to go to a get together on Tuesday night. What's nice is that this is a new group so it's not like I'm joining an already established group, y'know? They had only had 2 meetings prior to this one so everyone is still getting to know everyone.

It will be good for me. I missed having that.

OK, I'm getting dizzy again so I am going to go call off for tomorrow and lay down.

UGH!

CRAP!

2007-07-30T20:25:00.000-04:00

As IF I needed another sock yarn to fall for. . . .along comes this beauty. Now, when it comes to kettle-dyed worsted, I am all about my malabrigo or manos. They are amazingly soft and FABULOUS with their colorways. Rio de la Plata hadn't really impressed me with the texture of their worsted or their colorways. So, I had never really thought of purchasing them for any worsted projects. Now, today I am at the LYS (don't even think it, I can't believe that I had ANY reason to be there - but I did so there!) looking for sock yarn to make my pal her Ravenclaw socks (blue and silver or bronze seem to not be in my color repertoire) and I came across THIS:

I thought to myself "Self, THAT is the perfect blue for Ravenclaw socks!" So, I grabbed it and upon closer inspection of the tag, I noted that it was from Rio de la Plata.

"Huh?" I thought to myself. It MUST be scratchy & blotchy. I felt it. It was soft. I looked the color over. It's a "semi-solid" but doesn't have any glaring areas of stark white anywhere to be found. I was intrigued. Then the shop owner noticed what I had in my hand and said "I just got that in. I'm knitting these out of one of the multi-colors." Then she proceeds to show me a pair of embossed leaves socks she is working on in a great moss, palish orange, mint and cream colorway. PERFECT for embossed leaves!

I asked if I could feel the sock. She agreed and I felt it. It was soft. It was sturdy. It was. . . . .GOOD! So, I now have the blue sock yarn and I think I know what pattern I am going to make but I need to find a corresponding silver or bronze sock yarn. Sigh. I wanted to stay away from that and really wanted to try to do a variegated or self patterning colorway since she got a pair with stripes and alternate heels in the Hogwarts Sock Swap #1

but I couldn't resist this yarn. I think there might yet be ANOTHER sock yarn for me to obsess over. God help me (uh, help us all - wait until you see this stuff you guys).

So, the question that now stands before me and therefore YOU, how should I do these so that they aren't the same as her first pair? Here are my thoughts. . . .

#1) Use bronze instead of silver (book colors vs. movie colors)

#2) Attempt (notice I say attempt) to do a lace sock. sigh. I should write her now and tell her that I am going to be late already if I take this option.

#3) I don't know of any other options. . . . .

So, HELP?????!!!!!?????

OMG!!!!!!!!! I loved it!

2007-07-23T22:49:00.000-04:00

Don't worry - no spoilers here:

I just finished HP and the Deathly Hallows! I can't believe all that just happened. The story weaved by Rowling is amazing. Looking back at the whole series, it's amazing how things from book 1 matter (and come up) in the final book. It's an incredible book and although it took me longer to read than it took others - it was the quickest reading of any book EVER for me. EVER!

What do we all read now?

It's about time don't you think???

2007-07-22T12:10:00.000-04:00

I am 69% Addicted to Coffee

$3805.00
BTW, I'm locking myself away for the rest of the day with Harry. I worked yesterday and I didn't get to spend as much time with him as I had wanted to.

I'm so excited!

2007-07-18T22:23:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I got my Hogwarts Sock Swap package today - just in time to see the movie tomorrow! Did I tell you all that I am seeing it in IMAX and that the last 30 minutes are in 3D? It was worth waiting until tomorrow for me. . . . anyhow here are my lovelies. . . . .

Here are the detailed pictures:

Sandy did a great job matching them up, don't you think? Well, she did a great job overall. I LOVE everything in my package. Here are some more goodies:

I REALLY can't wait until tomorrow (and of course Friday) now. I am so excited! Thanks again to Sandy for a great package and Rebecca for a fab swap!

Yarn p0rn pictures

2007-07-17T22:51:00.001-04:00

That there would be the vacation haul in it's entirety. See? I told you my hubby was too good to me. Individual yarn shots:

I didn't even photograph all the yarn individually. . . . . so much for the summer of stash more like the summer of stash enhancement over here.

I'm in again!

2007-07-17T09:42:00.000-04:00

So, I mailed my Hogwarts Sock Swap Socks and package yesterday. It'll be there no later than Thursday - woo hoo! So, I went to the Hogwart Sock Swap Blog and I found this:

Yep! I'm a glutton for punishment - er, or maybe just for Harry??? Anyhow. Why don't you join in? You know you want to. Go look at all the cool packages that people have been receiving on the first swap. Don't you want in on some of that action? Yeah, I thought so. . . . . go on over and join in on the fun. sig-ups began on July 14th but they are still openings left. Hurry up before the classes are all full! tee hee!

Hogwarts Sock Swap 2 Questionnaire
Second Years

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?
I remain a Gryffindor. Different test - same result. Go Red and Gold!

2. Shoe size? Foot length? Foot circumference?
Size 8 - 10 inches long - Circumference is 10 inches

3. List your three favorite sock yarns.
a. Cherry Tree Hill
b. Socks that Rock
c. my all-time fave - Koigu

4. Would you like to try a new brand of sock yarn? If so, which brand? ADDED 7/18/07: WOW! I just found this pattern and I want to try some of the sockpixie sock yarn to make it now. LOVE IT!!!!!
I would LOVE to try Scout’s Swag sock yarn. Or, hmmmmmm, ooh, ooh I would love to try Fleece Artist - I’ve tried other yarns from them but not their sock yarn. But, really, I like trying new yarns especially from the little, local yarn dyers.

5. Do you prefer variegated or solid sock yarn?
I have few solid sock yarns so I wouldn’t mind trying some of the “semi-solids” that are out there (Sunshine yarns on Etsy - oooooh). But I usually go variegated. I prefer patterned or striped over true variegated. I have “pooling” issues. I like repetitive sequencing. (My OCD rears it’s ugly head)

6. What colors would you like to add to your sock yarn stash?
Um, how about some fun semi-solids like apple or lime greens, warm yellows (not bright), or some deep (jewel-like) purples.

7. What kind of sock patterns do you gravitate toward? Lace? Ribbed? Fair Isle?
Anything but Fair Isle. I’m not into color work especially on something as small as socks.

8. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, animals, etc.)
Nope, but I can smell smoke a mile away.

9. Will your socks be exposed to cigarette smoke or animals as you knit them?
Nope. I have a dog but she doesn’t get up on my bed or furniture so they won’t have dog hair on them.

10. Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal?
Sure! I think it would be awesome!

Oh so, DS is at a cool hands-on kids camp this week that is doing all sorts of activities with them. Anyhow, they are going to see "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" get this. . . .on IMAX! So, I asked if parents could attend as well and they said Yep! So, I will be seeing it in IMAX (the last 30 minutes on IMAX is in 3D!!! How cool is that????!!!???)

Knitter's vacation

2007-07-14T18:33:00.000-04:00

Ok, Ok, so it wasn't REALLY a knitter's vacation but, boy oh boy, did I ever get spoiled by my husband on this trip! First of all, let me say that I have a great hubby. Before trips and/or vacations he always looks for available knit shops. He's done this kind of stuff for as long as we've been together. When I was a cross stitcher, he would find the XS shops for me. Now that I am a knitter he finds the yarn shops. Oh, and he know that yarn shops vary and has become familiar with the correct terminology necessary in successfully finding quality yarn shops. He knows the names of the yarns I adore (Koigu, Mountain Colors, Manos del Urugua, etc.), he knows that I am a sock knitter, he knows that I enjoy hand-painted yarns and he knows that I like to knit with natural fibers especially merino, alpaca, etc.

So, anyhow, he scouted out yarn shops and find 1 in Williamsburg and 2 in the Outerbanks. Funny thing is, I asked around the blogsphere and only heard of a single shop in the Outerbanks but he found a second one. And he took me to each one of the three. So, let's have a shop review and discuss my take, er purchases, at each shop.

First up: Williamsburg - Knitting Sisters. Here is a shop that is open, spacious and welcoming with pleasant eye-catching displays, a helpful staff and plenty of room to spread out and knit for a while. There is also a corner with seating and magazines for your non-knitters while you shop/knit. Many shops samples that entice as inspire. Oh, and they have their very own colorway from Claudia's handpainted yarns!
So, souvenir yarn? Yep, that would be the Knitting Sisters colorway in the sport weight - 2 skeins no less (well, I might want a small shawl, right?) The colors are so pleasing and I thought this is great. I can make a couple of pairs of instant gratification socks OR I can make a smaller shawl/stole. BTW, any pattern suggestions for said shawl/stole would be greatly appreciated.
So you might think that since I found the souvenir yarn so quickly, I was done, right? Er, that would be a negative. Remember the shop samples I was talking about earlier. Yeah, I fell. So I got 3 balls of baby alpaca brush in the orange color #1004. I am going to make this capelet. I know, I know, you look at the pattern picture and say "Really? She's going to knit that?" but I saw the sample and it looks completely different and was gorgeous. Interestingly enough, I made this plymouth yarn company poncho into this. Again, I didn't like the pattern but I saw a sample in a shop and HAD to make it. I still get comments on it when I wear it. So, anyhow, someday I will be making the capelet and posting about it. Someday. Overall, Knitting Sisters was a great all purpose yarn shop. . . spacious, good variety of yarns, plenty of needles, gadgetry, welcoming staff, multiple classes offered and they were even organizing a knitter's retreat. . . . . Definitely a place to visit if you are ever in Williamsburg.

Next up is Knitting Addiction in Southern Shores, NC - Outerbanks. You want a spacious shop? Then you need to visit this shop. Wow! Open and spacious doesn't begin to describe it. But, it didn't look empty or cold at all. It was a warm welcome shop. The owner was great (and she's a volunteer firefighter - you go girl!) and she showcases heirloom knitted pieces (her mom's baby sweater) knit by her grandma behind the register. Gotta love that! There is a HUGE sit ' knit area when you enter the shop with 2 full sized sofas facing eachother with a big coffee table in between and a rocking chair (or 2?). There are again lots and lots of great shop samples which highlight many Knitting Addiction patterns. The owner designs around the yarns in her shop and then you can either purchase the patterns ($2.50 - $5 a pattern) OR the patterns are free with the purchase of the yarn needed to complete the project. Great way to move stock don'tcha think?! This shop offered many novelty yarns that were showcased with samples using these specific yarns. It helps to see how these yarns were meant to be used - mostly as accent yarns - when trying to sell (as a shop owner) and invision the yarns in use (as a customer). Knitting addiction has a very laid back atmosphere that is extremely inviting (the owner was walking barefoot the day I was there - tee hee). She was a school teacher prior to owning the shop so there are toys and lots of kid friendly books in a variety of age ranges. Extremely kid friendly shop which helps when on vacation or for moms in general. OK, enought about the shop - let's get to the purchases. Here I got the following: a skein of Southwest trading company's "Tofutsies" sock yarn (50% Superwash Wool, 25% Soysilk (hence the tofu references), 22.5% cotton and 2.5% chitin (made from shrimp and crab shells-how cool!) in "Wild Kat" limited edition colorway. Pink and black - you gotta love it. Plus, it was limited edition, right? OK, I needed to get a regular colorway too, right? In comes #731 also known as the "Ten Foot tall" colorway - look for it here. Great color eh? Fuschia, pink, hot pink, pale pink and white. Yeah for pinks. So, 2 skeins of sock yarn enough? NOPE! I picked up a couple of other things. Specifically, Interlacements Toasty Toes in this great blues colorway. Yummy! And lastly I got the coolest thing ever that I had not known of before. Did you all know that Cherry Tree Hill makes supersock yarn in "Potluck" colorways that are one of a kind dye lots??Apparantly, every so often the dyers at CTH get to "play" with the established colorways and make these potluck colors. Well, Knitting Addiction carries these and I just had to get one. So I got a skein in the jeweltones. . . . . it's got mauves, golds, yellows, greys, blues, etc. Beautiful and unique. Yeah! I got 4 knitting addiction patterns for free with the purchases of my yarns.

My last shop review is a second Outerbanks shop located in Manteo, NC - Fine Yarns at Kimbeeba which is a shop unlike any other I've been too. The owner was there and she was so neat. She was a free spirit who talked to you the moment you walk in. The shop had the most amazing smell of lavender the moment you walked in and there was soft nature sounds music playing. Sybil (the owner) greets you and offers coffee, tea, hot chocolate or ice water. I had the best chai latte! The shop is small but there was still a table to sit out which was flanked by her spinning wheel and weaving loom. She had everything from Sugar 'n Cream dischcloth cotton to cashmere from Italy (I think it was Italy. . . .) Anyhow, anything anyone would want at any price range or taste is there. She even had "jelly" yarn that can be used to make waterproof shopping or beach bags. Kinda cool really - but I didn't get any. Instead I got two (2) sweater quantities of yarn.

I first got 8 skeins of Hempathy in #011 Navy Blue enough to make something like this sweater.
Isn't that beautiful? I didn't get the pattern but I got enough skeins so, someday (yeah I know) I could make this or something else. This yarn is so soft yet durable. I think I am really going to enjoy this yarn eventually. We'll see how long this languishes in the stash.Next I got 10 skeins of Ella Rae Silkience in 06 color (lavender). I loved the feel and sheen of this yarn especially when I saw the shop sample of this:
It was gorgeous. So I got enough yarn for that (or something like that). If nothing else, I have enough yarn to make a great cardigan. I let my hubby pick out the colors for both of the sweater quantities and I think that he did a great job. BTW, the shop offers back issues of magazines at $2.50 an issue - great deal huh? Especially when back issues include the last issue - yep, one issue is a back issue and is down to $2.50. At least that's how it was for Interweave Knits. AND, you get 15% off your entire purchase when you buy 10 skeins of yarn or more. Woo hoo!

So, 1 week, 7 days and 3 shops. I would say that all these shops are worth visiting and that I got WAAAY spoiled.

I will get the camera and put together the whole lot of stash enhancement for your viewing pleasure. It's been a busy time since our return but maybe I will do that tomorrow. . . Now that I've written about it all I want to pull it out and play with it again.. You guys want to see it all anyway, right?

Safe and Sound

2007-07-11T19:02:00.000-04:00

Aaah. Back home after vacation. Made it early enough to even be able to pick the puppy up for the Vets (they board her for us). Had a great time.

There WAS knitting.

There WAS yarn shopping (OMG - it was bad. Hauls. 3 shops. Sock Yarn and sweater quantities (yep plural) and patterns. OH MY!)

There will be pictures. But not now. Now there is unpacking and laundry and lunch making (tomorrow is after all a work day - bleck!)

Glad to be home.

Let Freedom (and gratefulness) Ring!

2007-07-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July. I am off celebrating the summer, my family and the freedom that we are all so priviliged to live under. My brother was in the Army. My cousin is in the Air Force. My Father-in-law served in the Air Force in Vietnam. Thank you to them and to all that have served and fallen to give us our freedom. I only wish I could do something like Kaziah Hancock to give thanks to all that have lost someone. If the story touches you like it's touched me, won't you consider helping Kaziah continue her cause?

Where have I been??? (photo heavy)

2007-07-02T11:08:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that it's been close to a month since I have posted. WOW! Even though, that post really doesn't count as it was just passing on info rather than a true post. What can I say? It's summertime and the living is busy! DS has been swimming in the neighborhood swimteam. Practices everyday except Fridays and Sundays and swim meets every Tuesday. That takes a chunk of time but it's so fun! Plus, it keeps him physically active which is a huge plus. I only wish that I knew how to swim. Sure, I can save my life but do a butterfly stroke? Hahahahahahaha!This was at his first swim meet. He so excited, can you tell? The participants have their swim team numbers written on their arms and it was ironic that DS's was 10 (his age - well they do that for everyone so that they swim in the proper age group) and 65 (his individual swim team number - also the year of a VIP's birth - um hum we WON'T mention whose! >wink< 'nuf said.) So that's reason number 1 for the busyness of this summer. Next, we've been going on quite a few weekend drives. As a family, we all enjoy drives. Long, lazy, strolling rides where you go off and "explore" your local areas. If we had been a family in the 50's, you would have been able to see us in one of those Chevrolet commercials. Y'know the ones I mean . Yep, that would be us driving around on an "adventure".

You may recall the trip to New Bern where I ran into Lolly? That would be an example of our adventures, just getting into the car and going. We recently visited Wilmington, NC and had a great day there as well. While there we walked around and saw the sites and found an amazing Italian Ice/Gelato shop. Mia's Italian Ices & Gelato on Front Street is quaint and cozy and has a FABULOUS Mango italian ice. So good, that after getting some and walking around, we went back for more! Funny thing is that the folks ahead of us the first time at the shop? They had come back for more too! So here are a few shots of our visit to Wilmington.

That same day we stopped at Carolina Beach on the way back from Wilmington. I got a few of my fave pix of the summer (so far) while we were there.

So, anyways, as you all can see we've been very busy. Knitting? Well, I do knit as we drive so there has been knitting. The HP Sock Swap socks should be in the mail this afternoon or tomorrow at the latest. I will photo the swap contents prior to mailing. I've picked up an old friend or two that have been patiently waiting to be worked on and I whipped up a couple of CE baby hats for a coworker's wife expecting twins (I forgot to photo those - darn it!).

We have had more adventures and my family just left yesterday after visiting for a week so, hopefully I will post again later today or tonight. We will be leaving EARLY on the 4th (Happy B-Day USA!) for our summer vacation - Williamsburg, VA and Outerbanks, NC so, if I go MIA that's what's up! DH has already found out shops in both areas for me. Yeah! Any suggestions of shops from you guys?

Hopefully I'll be back on today. . . . .

Oh I am so IN!!!!

2007-06-13T11:03:00.000-04:00

How cool is this???

Fortune #2

2007-06-11T20:13:00.001-04:00

Fortune for the week of June 11th:

"Conquer your fears. Otherwise, your fears will conquer you."

Gotta love those fortune cookies. So, my fear that I am going to attempt to conquer is my fear of failing to live up to the expectations of others. I mean, really? The people that love me are going to love me no matter what. They know the real me and accept me, faults and all. The people with all the "expectations"? Yeah, they don't really count so much in the long run . . . . .

So, what fears are you planning on conquering? I'd love to hear.

Yes God, I'm listening. . .

2007-06-08T21:31:00.000-04:00

Every once in a while, I'll have a day where I feel like God is slapping me across the head saying "What are you complaining about?!?" - Either that or "Really, you have a fabulous life y'know!" - I know that these days happen to everyone but as a nurse, these days happen a whole hell of a lot more often and to a higher degree.

Today was one of those days. Thankfully my patients were relatively "stable" (used loosely here). Both post car wrecks, one still wearing a Halo for a broken cervical vertebra (i.e. broken neck) and the other a paraplegic as a result of the accident. One is 3 weeks post accident (the paraplegic) and the other is 1 week out and still needs a cervical fusion (the Halo patient) but stable. That can be enough some days to make you realize how lucky you really are but the kicker today has really sucked every bit of emotional reserve out of me.

The shift started with one of our nurses having been called in early to go take a trauma patient off the unit to have examinations/tests done - BAD car accident. VERY. VERY. BAD. 4 hours, 2 "in the ICU room" open belly surgeries (yep, right there in the room), over 2 dozen (and counting at the time) blood products and one trip to the actual OR later. . . . the patient died of massive internal injuries on the OR table. Less than 10 months after an older sibling had died. Leaving a twin sibling as an only living child and a set of unbelievably distraught but wonderful parents with another child loss way to early. VERY. VERY. BAD. ACCIDENT.

1 1/2 hours later we got the call about a second "disaster patient" (i.e. severe trauma). Another car accident. Another BAD accident. Patient who was in the 24th week of a pregnancy. Severe internal injuries, severe head injury and multiple, multiple fractures. Loss of the fetal heart tones at the scene of the accident. No responsiveness since the wreck. Massive hemorrhaging. EVERYWHERE. A second destroyed family in the blink of an eye and in the span of a single 12 hour shift. The patient was still there when we left. . .well, in the physical sense (not sure about spiritually).

So, all day long I just kept thinking of how precious and fleeting life can be and how things that seem to drive us crazy and get under our skin REALLY don't matter that much in the end. . . .

SIGH.

Wear your seatbelts, kay?

Fortune

2007-06-06T13:19:00.000-04:00

Y'know something that I love? I love fortune cookies. I also love reading the fortunes. Always have. So, I thought I would share:

Fortune for the week of June 4th:

"Don't stop dreaming, otherwise sleep will get awfully boring."

Yep. I'd agree with that one.

I'm getting boring, huh?

2007-06-05T11:23:00.000-04:00

Sheesh! I am getting so boring that reading my own posts puts ME to sleep! Sorry guys. I just haven't gotten back into the swing of things. I guess that happens to a lot of bloggers but I did like getting comments and now, barely any. Hmmmm. I know, I know the comments aren't the reason I blog. Truly they aren't. I know that you all are out there and that is comforting. I blog to feel a sense of self, to understand what's going on in my world, to record today and what my life is like and about. But. Still. It was nice to see all the different people and their blogs that were including themselves in my little world. . . .ok, no more of that. On to what blogging is really about.

Hey, lookee, there ARE pictures to be shared:

First up is a photo of my Hogwarts sock swap socks. Almost done! Whoopee! I am knitting them in tandem because I decided to add some increases at the calves. They are a simple 3X1 rib until above the ankle and then I slowly increased to a 3X2 rib. Question for you all out there. . . How would you finish these off? Just, bind off? The ribbing is already there so I guess so but, I wanted them to look, y'know, finished. Can I picot edge with ribbing? Should I just bind off and not worry about it? Your suggestions are respectfully requested (how's that for comment begging? ;-> ) I am making them from Lorna's Laces Sheperd Sock in the "bee stripe" colorway. That swirly yellow stripe thing going up the foot of the sock was purely the colorway. I noticed that that was the point where they switched from gold to black. Seems they had a bit of extra gold. I kind of like the effect though. Don't you?

Now onto a spoiling for me! Here's the totality of my package from my FABULOUS Knitter's Tea Swap 3 spoilee, Jessica:

Isn't that some wonderful stuff? I got 3 different loose teas from the English Tea Store, many, many tea bags of assorted Stash teas, some organic honey lemon sticks, 3 different typed of tea cookies/treats, some dark chocolate (heaven) covered pretzel bits AND. . . . .my very first, ever Claudia's handpainted sock yarn. Woo Hoo! Here it is closer up:

And again:
Thank you so much for your generosity Jessica, it was amazing to have you as my pal. Hopefully you will like my package as much as I enjoyed yours!

Last, but not least, I leave you with a gratuitous family picture of us during Memorial Day weekend while out geocaching. This is a picture of us after finding our 100th cache:

We had so much fun that weekend!

Geocaching and family visits make for a boring knitting blog

2007-05-29T09:23:00.000-04:00

Well, of course I KNOW that this is a (supposed) knitting blog. Yes, I know that I haven't talked about knitting much for weeks.

Yes, yes I have been knitting.

On what? Well, I've been knitting on my Hogwarts sock swap pal's socks. No, really. I have. Pictures you ask? Uh, well, let me explain. . . . . . .

Yeah, I suck. I really need to do something to get my blogging mojo back. But I guess it's better to lose your blogging mojo than your knitting mojo right? So, I'm 2/3 of the way done with the first HWSS sock and about 1/2 of the way with the second. I decided that I wanted to add some increases to make the calf more comfy for my secret pal. I'm knitting them toe-up and want to make them a bit longer so I want them to be comfy and not a pair of tourniquets. I started off with a 3X1 rib and am increasing on every other purl to a 3X2 rib and after a few rows of that adjustment will finish off the remaining necessary increases so that they end in a overall 3X2 rib. I started the second sock so that all the increases occurred at about the same spot in the socks (as I am CERTAINLY not counting rows here). So I will be living the in the land of ribbing for a bit now but they are almost done and that makes me happy b/c I am NOT going to be late. Hurray!

I also pulled out one of my oldest (if not THE oldest) WIPs and knit on that for a while. It was like visiting with an old friend and I've truly enjoyed it. I don't want to go on too much about it b/c I don't want to disturb the tenuous relationship we have just re-established but if there is significant progress then I just might let you see who and how much, kay? I got the most beautiful drop spindle from a contest over at Liz's blog and it really is a crime that I haven't posted a picture of it yet. It's a Golding Solid Purpleheart spindle and it's beautiful and all mine! I need to get some plain jane roving to get myself into it again. I had started drop spinning months and months ago but I let it go by the wayside. This spindle though, it calls me to spin it, y'know? It's beautiful and it feels "right" in my hands. . . . .Uh, oh. . . . . .

I have had true distractions to the knitting though (one unfortunate and one fortunate). DS broke (yep another fracture - 2 in fact!) his right little (pinky) finger. No big deal right? Wrong! We had just started practices for swim team and he is in the middle to the end of his baseball season. Bottom line?

No ball sports for at least 2 weeks (almost the end of the season) and no swimming either! UGH! So the poor kid who was just getting into the swing (no pun intended) of things with the swim team in now benched. Sigh. He's taking it well though so I guess that's all that matters.

The fortunate thing that happened was that my cousin flew up from Florida on Friday and spent Memorial Day weekend with us. She came up to visit and for us all to attend GeoWoodstock 5 together! DH, DS and I have been loosely geocaching for 3 years now but my cousin is a die-hard geocacher. It was fun to go to our first organized geocaching event with her and it was a blast to cache all weekend long.

Prior to her coming up to visit, we had a total of 57 finds. We have gone above 125 (I think) this weekend. Woo Hoo! Very fun.

We got to explore our new home state and found parks and naturally beautiful areas, lakes, etc. that we would have never found without the caching. It's truly such a great way to get outdoors, explore the land, get some fresh air and exercise and enjoy eachother's company. It's good for the competitive streak in you too. Nothing like being the one in your group to be able to yell "I found it!" - tee hee.

I was supposed to work today but I got cancelled (probably retribution for cancelling myself on Friday to take DS to the orthopedist for his finger - oh well) today. So, I am watering the lawn (it will therefore rain tonight!), finishing and putting away (ugh) laundry and. . . .KNITTING!

woo hoo.

OK, OK, I will pull out the camera next time. SHeesh! You don't have to yell, y'know! ;-)

ooh, ooh, I hadn't done one in SOOOOO long!

2007-05-22T14:03:00.000-04:00

You scored as Sarabi. You are Sarabi! Regardless of your gender, you have a warm spot in your heart for all things small and fuzzy. You tend to work well with kids, and they seem happy to oblige. You place a strong emphasis on family relations and chances are one of your closest bonds is with a familial figure of some sort. You're willing to give everyone a chance to prove themselves, even if they falter a few times. However, you do NOT tolerate agression well, and it's a big turn off for you in terms of finding a mate. And while you believe everyone deserves a second chance if they mess up, if their attitude is poor, you're less willing to accept them. Overall, though, you're very upbeat and personable - the perfect best friend!

Which Lion King Character Are You?
created with QuizFarm.com

Tee hee! yeah. (As you all know) I LOVE doing these quizzes. Thanks Knit Wit!! Now to figure out just who Sarabi is. Was that Simba's mom???

Random Meme

2007-05-20T21:18:00.000-04:00

OK, so I got picked for the 8 random things meme by Katherine from Fuzzy Love so, without further delay here they are:

#1) I HATE to read newspapers. I've never been able to hold them right and turning the pages is a pain in the arse. Let's not even start talking about the ink all over your hands or your clothing (if it's white - fuggedaboutit!). YUCKO! (except for the comics. Comics are cool)

#2) The only saving grace for the newspaper (except the above mentioned comics) are the coupons. I love me my coupons. Ooh, and if I can score a sale item with a coupon on a triple coupon day (my grocer always doubles) I am happier than I really should be. (I know, I'm weird)

#3) I can double cross my legs and it's so comfortable to me. I don't know how I do it, I just do.

#4) I have to figure out how to help my DS make a scale model, no bigger than 2 feet tall, of This lighthouse. It's a great one and it will be fun but I only have a week and a half to get it done. Augh! Did I say that there are only 3 1/2 weeks left of school? (we did go and get a styrofoam cone today at Wally World)

#5) I have to drink a can of coke each night at bedtime or I can't fall asleep well. It's weird but it works for me.

#6) Bananas cut up in tomato soup is one of my fave things that comforts me and takes me back to my childhood. YUMMY! (Hey, don't knock it without trying it first, kay?)

#7) Aneurysmectomy is my favorite word, nursing or not. Don't ask me why. Don't know. Just like saying it.

#8) 8 is my favorite number.

Okey, dokey. I tag Erin, Jeanne and Jessica.

Linda J. Villar, 41

2007-05-14T09:30:00.000-04:00

disclaimer: the start of this post and parts of it are 'bummers' but there is light and hope interspersed throughout. Hang in there while reading, kay?

It's been so long since I have blogged regularly or with any substance really. Those of you who have followed me for a while now know that I have these times. Usually it's because I am in the midst of a depressive episode. I 'retreat' into myself and then when it's time, when it's passed, I resurface. It's a cyclical pattern that is triggered by anything, or nothing at all. I've been 'away' again because of another 'black' period. Not so horrible this time as others, but bad enough. I've given up on trying to analyze and pinpoint what set these episodes off. It's too much work and frankly, is of no use to me. The reasons are so varied and random that I can't really use the information to prevent this so, I just do what I must to get through it and then push on.

Thankfully, I am on the upswing. I have done a lot of selfish self-preservation, thinking, and praying to get back on the upswing. I questioned why this is so hard for me and why I am the way that I am. It usually (eventually) comes back to my realization that I am the sum of all my parts and this disease is one of the parts that MUST be there for the whole to be what it is. Just like in everything else, you must take the good with the bad. There are no free rides in life are there?

So, what is the name above you might ask? Well, it's my part in contributing to the Mother's Day Project. Have you heard of it yet? You might have so I won't go into too many details. If you haven't, it's all described here.

I read about the project, contacted Anne and was put on the list of contributors. Last week I got my name.

LINDA J. VILLAR

That is my casualty for the project. I started reading through blogs of others that have joined this project. Someone brought up a good point. Why do we use the word "casualty" when describing the death of someone in a war? What's so "casual" about war or death at all for that matter? There are many words in the English language that enrage me for their callousness in how they are used. Example: I am a nurse. I HATE when people at work speak of a patient having 'expired' - Milk expires, library book loans expire, magazine subscriptions expire. . . . people DIE. We aren't something that gets 'used up' or goes 'bad'. Someones passing is not a passive act - it's an action. A verb. They die. A death actively affects others - their parents, spouses, children, friends. . . . they all feel the loss ACTIVELY. For me, using such a passive term (expires) somehow lessens the significance of the loss, of their LIFE. It is one of the banes of my nursing existence and enrages me each time I hear it used.

"Casualty of War" - that's another one of those terms. I am sure that Linda's husband & family did not find anything casual in their loss in early June of 2005 especially when I am sure they were planning her homecoming party - she was due to come home July 13th.

I do not find anything 'casual' in the intertwining of Linda and myself. There are so many commonalities between us that can NOT be the cause of just 'casual' circumstances. She was 41 at the time of her death - my age now. We both have husbands and children. Her daughter was 11 at the time - my DS will be 11 this year. She adopted New Orleans as her home after moving there during high school - DH and I lived there for 3 years and still feel it is a part of who we are. She was a CIVILIAN at the time of her death serving as support staff to the US Army troops there - my cousin Ana is a civilian in the US Air Force and her job very closely follows along the lines of what Linda did (Ana is also a USAF reservist (Sergeant no less) after having served full time in the USAF right out of high school - she's my hero even if she is 4 years younger than me!). So, as you can see, Linda and I have quite a bit in common and I truly feel that it is not coincidental that I got her name. This is what the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count page notes about Linda:

U.S. Dept. of the Army Civilian Linda J. Villar
Age: 41
From: Franklinton, Louisiana
Assigned To: Field Support Command
Based In: Fort Stewart, GA
Fatality Date: Friday, June 03, 2005
Fatality Cause: Hostile - hostile fire - mortar attack
Fatality Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Here is what the US Army Materiel Command said about Linda in the commentary about the Villar Memorial Room:

[Villar, acting chief, 3rd Infantry Division logistics support element, Baghdad, Iraq, was killed when an insurgent mortar round struck Camp Liberty, June 3, 2005. She was the first AMC civilian killed while serving in Iraq. “Linda leaves behind a reputation of excellence; she leaves behind a reputation that serves for all of us that wear this uniform, whether you’re a civilian or military. Linda Villar is a tremendous example for all of us to look up to and remember,” said Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin, AMC commanding general and host of the ceremony. Villar, 41, spent most of her 24 years of civilian service with AMC, including the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center, the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, and the U.S. Army Field Support Command. Her awards include the Defense of Freedom Medal, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Army Achievement Award. “Anyone that didn’t meet her really missed a great opportunity. She really touched everybody, and anyone that crossed paths with her knows what I mean,” said Villar’s husband David, a logistics assistance representative, Fort Stewart, Ga.]

Linda was a Master's educated woman who chose to put herself in harm's way in order to serve and support the men and woman who serve and support our country and our freedom. By all accounts that I have read she was a remarkably kind, compassionate and giving human being. So much so that Fort Stewart dedicated a room in her honor in December of 2005. That was the month I turned 40 years old. I was surrounded by family and friends honoring my life in a happy, joyful manner while Linda's family and friends honored her life in a deeper and sorrowful way. Two families honoring woman at virtually the same time in such meaningful yet contrasting ways. How often does that happen? How much of our joy and elation is 'countered' in this universe by someone else's sorrow and pain?

So, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about Linda and her family this past weekend. I took the opportunity to thank God that I am so fortunate for all that I have and to feel blessed that I am here to see my son grow up and to grow old with my husband. I prayed for my family, my friends and for all those who serve and died serving this country. I thought about how I would pay tribute to Linda with the project and I decided to stitch her name in RED for the project. Red to symbolize my anger and rage. Red to symbolize the heart of this woman that gave her life so selflessly. Red to symbolize the LOVE this woman had for life and her family. Red to symbolize the blood that she shed for this cause.

I will stitch and I will pray and I will cry and I will be thankful for my life and all my blessings.

Thank you Linda and may you continue to rest in peace.

Happy Birthday Love

2007-05-07T22:16:00.000-04:00

My sweet, love of my life, rock of Gibraltar, best friend hubby turns 40 today.

How'd that happen? He is too smokin' to be 40. Love you babe!

Oh, and here's some proof that I still knit AND finish projects!

Fibertrends Felted Clogs
Cascade 220 in Orange and Green (can't remember which ones)
Knit/felted in less than 10 days as a gift for my FIL post Cardiac Surgery.

GO CANES!!

Mashup and GREAT start for the day!

2007-04-26T08:51:00.000-04:00

This is a great mashup. Thanks Kerstin!

More later. Today has started as a good day. DS won the code word of the day contest at RadioDisney on the way to school. $500 bucks ain't bad for a 10 year old, y'know? Oh yeah, THAT was the prize. Me? I've won a haircut. DS? He gets $500.

Go figure. Tee hee!

I was so excited for him.

Oh and to continue the fabulous day for DS, tonight is when we have tickets to see the local production of High School Musical.

Zippity do DA!

What a great cause!

2007-04-25T18:46:00.000-04:00

I found this over at the RAOK board (thanks Allena) and I thought I would post it for others to see as well:

Crocheted squares are welcome and appreciated as well.

Color choices for squares: Maroon, Burnt Orange, White, Black. Please knit or crochet squares out of the nicest, softest yarn you can afford.

Please mail squares to:

Mosaic Yarn Shop

880 University City Blvd.

Blacksburg, Va24060

Thank You to all participants!

xoxoxox,

The staff of Mosaic

Long time, lots of stuff

2007-04-23T09:29:00.000-04:00

So, the last time I left you all with a real post, my Mom was here visiting. We took her to the opening weekend of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C. and had a great time. The blooms were amazing this year. The entire basin was lined with them and they were gorgeous. My mom and I were both excited about the majesty of the blooms and all was right with the world.

We also took Mom to Guapo's for dinner (FAB food) where she had a sangria, I had a LARGE margarita and we both got the giggles. It's strange to think that I am actually old enough to get tipsy with my Mom and not worry about it. When did THAT happen? She was the one I always was most afraid of whenever I came home even after the slightest amount of alcohol. I never was, and still am not, a big drinker and I can count the number of times that I have been truly drunk on one hand but, something about Mami always made me nervous if I had ever had any amount of alcohol. Now, here we are getting tipsy together. Tee hee. Fun times.

Great weekend, great company, great time. . . . until we came home. We had left Sunny at our Vet's boarding for the weekend. When we went to pick her up on Monday morning something wasn't right. She came to me but she didn't run, spin in circles or prance as she usually does. She laid at my feet and waited patiently for me to pay the bill. Huh? The girls commented that she had been extremely quiet during her stay. Huh? MY socialite puppy? She turns those eyes on you and mesmerizes you into taking her out and carrying her along with you. What was up? I stood there worried a bit and one of the techs came around the counter. Then she licked her nose and we both noticed that her tongue was extremely pale. EXTREMELY PALE.

Fast forward, she has been diagnosed with Auto-immune hemolytic anemia. Her immune system has turned on her and is destroying her own red blood cells. We can't pinpoint what triggered it: she's negative for all parasitic and tick-borne diseases (but there are many diseases where no specific test is available for them so, who knows) and there aren't any signs of any tumors or other malignancies. Our vet says that sometimes one NEVER knows exactly what triggers this process. Looking back there were signs: she was less likely to bring a toy spontaneously than before; she was content to play fetch for much, much shorter periods of time; she would lay in her crate (usually just a night time thing) during the day rather than on one of her "daybeds" strewn around the house and she had been eating less than usual. Not any one of these things seemed like a red flag at the time and yet here we were. She was pretty sick and is still recovering but the doctor feels that she is no longer in imminent danger of dying (yeah, we were at that point) as she had responded extremely well to therapy.

She remains on steroids and antibiotics and we are monitoring her blood counts closely. We will always have to be aware of this process in her: she MUST be on tick/flea preventative programs; she MUST be on heartworm preventative programs (both year round regardless of weather conditions) AND she will always get minimal vaccinations from now on. We have to be careful to not stimulate her immune system into attack once again. She will have routine bloodwork done now on a regular basis and she will be on/off steroids depending on her blood counts. But, she is responding, she is peppy and she is 90% back to her normal self again.

OK, so that was trauma #1 (yes there was more) since I last spoke with you so, I will leave you with that and will be back with more PLUS pictures of the DC trip and of the FABULOUS yarn my hubby bought me while we were there (Yea, he's good to me - most of the time >wink< ) as well as of the jewelry that Mami and I made.

ribbit

2007-04-23T09:27:00.000-04:00

It's free cone day!

2007-04-17T12:42:00.000-04:00

I love free cone day. Check it out here.

How do they do this????

2007-04-09T13:48:00.000-04:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Thanks to Liz for this. How fun, huh? (and eerily true)

I am so excited about this one!!!!!

2007-04-08T17:07:00.000-04:00

I just joined this swap and I am so super excited I can't stand it! For my secret Hogwarts pal, here is my questionaire:

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire

What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?
Gryffindor! Go scarlet and gold!

Shoe size?
8.5 women’s US

Foot Length?
10 inches (that seems so looooonnng!)

Foot Circumference?
9 inches (really? REALLY?)

List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.
a. Lantern Moon - 5" size 1 - rosewood
b. Lantern Moon - 5" size 2 - rosewood
c. Brittney - 5" size 1

Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?
I really prefer knitting socks with wooden needles (less slippery) and I like to use the shorter needles (easier to manage). I have gotten used to size 1 or 2 needles for socks as well.

If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference?
N/A to me (but I prefer the movie colors just for the record)

Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal?
Sure.

So, anyhow, this is such a cool, cool swap b/c
a) who doesn't love a swap
b) who doesn't love a sock swap
c) you get not only socks but a new set of needles and a matching set of stitch markers
d) Harry Potter rules!
e) even if we have to say good-bye (sob, sob) to the series, we get a cool pair of handknit socks to comfort us for our loss (boo hoo hoo!)

So, what are all you sock knitters waiting for? Go join! Even if you aren't an HP fan, what's not to love about getting/sharing socks?

Right?!?

How funny is this?

2007-04-04T21:43:00.000-04:00

So, my Mom is up from Miami visiting for the week. We took her to DC this past weekend. If you all remember, my visit to DC last year to see the Cherry Blossom wasn't a complete bust, but most of the blooms had been blown off the night before by a huge storm. This year, we were there for the first weekend of the Cherry Blossom Festival and it did not dissapoint. Post and pictures on that later but I had to share this with you right away.

Tee hee. The great thing about this was that my hubby didn't even bat an eye when I shoved the camera at him and ran across the street to pose.

Yeah!

No knitting but some excellent reading

2007-03-28T20:20:00.000-04:00

DANG IT! My carpal tunnel is acting up and although I REALLY, REALLY want and need to knit, I can't. . . it really, really hurts right now. :-O

Sigh.

BUT, have no fear, I have found something to occupy my time. . . .has anyone else read this. Man, it's good. Ok, Ok, so I am not lil' miss politics and I do not know anyone who suffered a personal loss on 9/11. . . BUT. . . .

I do know what it is like to have friends who are your lifeline during hard times. I do know that it is very important to tell the people who matter to you that, well, that they matter to you.

This book? FAB! Yes, it's the story of 4 Sept. 11 widows and yes, they do talk about losing their husbands but it is NOT a book about Sept. 11th. It's a love story about 4 women who form a bond that is beyond a "normal" friendship. It is about how they come to understand that life is meant to be shared with people who you love: romantic love, familial love, parent/child love, and just as important, friendship love.

I've always been one to tell people when I love them. Yep, PEOPLE. Not just boys, not just men, not just my family, PEOPLE. I love people all around me in my life. . . and I tell them. I tell them whenever I feel it and whenever I am saying goodbye. I don't want to ever have something happen and have them not know that I loved them. It's important to me. I've seen so many people die with the regret of unspoken words or feelings. I don't want that for me or for those around me. So, if I love you, I'm gonna tell you. Live with it.

A few years ago I met the wife of one of DHs (back then) coworkers - (did that make sense?). Anywho, we met at a baseball game when DS and I got to go to the firm's suite at The Jake. We hit it off right away. Our lives where such parallels of each others. We both grew up in Florida. We both married our college sweethearts. We both wanted lots of kids. We both had just one son. (We both had very similar feelings about that but that's a different story). We both supported our families in New Orleans while our husbands both attended Tulane Law School (different class years - we were a year a head of them). We both are under appreciated (and under paid) professionals - teacher and nurse. (Again, different story). You get the picture, right?

I remember the first time I told her that I loved her as we were hanging up from a phone call. She was taken aback and just said "uh, Thanks". I persisted with subsequent conversations and meetings to tell her that I loved her when saying goodbye b/c I had come to love her. She mattered to me. I wanted her to know it.

I also remember her and I having a conversation where she told me how much me telling her that I loved her meant to her. She started looking at her life different and realizing that she, like many, just assumed that the people who mattered to her just knew that they mattered to her. Of course they know, right? Uh, not necessarily and even if they do, who doesn't like to hear that they matter, that they are loved? She thanked me for teaching her to tell people how she feels. She told me how she had started to say I love you more and how much closer it drew her to those that mattered. She told me that it changed her to hear that she was loved not just by those who were supposed to love her, but by other who chose to love her. So now, each time we write each other or talk, we say "LYLAS" (we pronounce it 'lilas') - love you like a sister.

So, this book, it's a good book. It's written by each of the 4 widows plus another author. Pick it up if you can. It's really a good read.

Oh, and by the way,

when was the last time you told your friends that you loved them???

I wish I could be there

2007-03-15T18:22:00.000-04:00

I want so much to be here but unfortunately, DH has more business stuff to attend to than ever imagined and so I must be home to play stay at home mom. UGH! I so wanted to be a part of Represent (read the whole post please) because I don't think muggles truly understand how many of us, knitters/crocheters that is, there really are. I don't think they understand WHO we are either (all ages, all types, both sexes, etc.) and therefore underestimate the power of us as a whole.

Sigh. I'm passing on the info in case any of you don't know about this but can make it. If so, take a pix with the traveling sock for me, kay?

BTW, speaking of knitting, (lest you all think I am a complete liar) I have been knitting on the hood of Arwen. I THOUGHT I would have, no scratch that. I SHOULD have a picture of some progress.

Why isn't it here? Well, that would be because I misread my place on the cable chart and therefore crossed cables incorrectly which lead to frogging of MANY, MANY rows of knitting (sob, sob). I truly did almost cry, tears welled up but didn't spill. Sigh.

So I had to frog back to a point where the cables were correct AND where I knew where I was on the chart. This meant frogging much more than beyond the error. (AACK!)

I had to put it down. I couldn't photograph the failure and ensuing disasterous frogging. I might pick it up tonight for Grey's. Believe it or not, I haven't screwed it up while watching that show, just while watching American Idol (must be all the angst over Sanjaya still being there). Course, I just totally jinked myself didn't I?

RATS!

Somebody just shoot me now!

2007-03-14T21:51:00.000-04:00

I can't believe we have to listen to him again next week.

Good grief.

I love Starbucks!

2007-03-14T18:01:00.000-04:00

I do anyway but tomorrow, March 15th from 1000 am to noon, they will be giving away free coffee!

So, how many different Starbuck branches do you guys think I can hit for a free cup of joe?

tee hee