Progress on my wrap sweater

This is the sweater I mentioned here and here. Well, I'm almost up to the armhole shaping of the back. (I'm not a very fast knitter, and it's been a little busy, lately...)

I'm using up some of my stash yarn (Yay me!) that I bought from a clearance bin. It's Red Heart Casual Cot'n Blend in Spice. I only have 6 skeins, but I think I'll have enough. I'm over two thirds finished the back and I'm almost finished the first skein, so that leaves almost 5 skeins for the two fronts, the sleeves and the ties.

I really like the way it's knitting up. It's very similar in appearance to the picture in the magazine (which uses much nicer yarn) with more orange tones instead of pinks. This yarn should be quite easy-care (I do have kids after all....everything must be washable!) Things are moving along nicely, and I'm quite excited that I'll finish the back soon and I'll be able to start on the fronts!

Ice Skating

Yesterday we met some friends at the skating rink.

But that's not really how it started....

First, we got to the skating rink. The sign on the door said, "Over-capacity, come back in an hour." Then a girl came out and said they would be cleaning the ice in half an hour and would be letting more people in then. So we called our friends' cell and told them what was up. They had left late, so were still a bit away. While I was on the phone, monkey-boy managed to fall off a concrete step/bench thing and skin his knee.

Once we got him calmed down, we decided to walk to the gas station down the road as TKHubband was hungry and wanted to get a snack while we waited. Well, the lady behind the counter was the slowest I've ever seen. The line-up was at least 10 people long when we got in the store. It was still that long when we got in the line. Then our friends call back to tell us they were at the rink. The line-up moved so slowly, the people in front of us had just about finished their slushies by the time they paid for them. When we finally got out of there, it started to rain, so we had to walk back to the rink in the rain.

Finally, we get back to the ice rink, we get in there, pay and pick up our rental skates. There were our friends, still getting their skates on. First, monkey-girl's were too small, so back I went to get her the next size up. Yay! Success! Then monkey-boy's were too small, so back our friend went to get him the next size up. TKHubband and our friend started putting monkey-boy's skates on, so I got to sit down and put mine on. After fighting with monkey-boy's skates for a while longer, we were finally all ready to go on the ice.

I haven't skated for years. TKHubband doesn't skate. Monkey-girl and monkey-boy have never skated. Our friend's kids are 2 and 4. Recipe. for. disaster.

It actually went really well. Considering all the torment leading up to it, the actual skating wasn't so bad. Yes, the skates made my feet hurt. Yes, the kids were a little freaked at how slippery the ice was. Yes, it is hard to push the kids around with those metal things.

But the kids loved it! (except for the 2-year-old)

Monkey-girl and monkey-boy both asked if they could go skating the next day. TKHubband isn't so sure that's a good thing. ;)

Many blessings this Christmas

Yes, I am truly blessed.

We've enjoyed much time with TKHubband's family this Christmas. Since TKHubbands parents and brother moved here this year, we didn't have to travel to see them (and they didn't have to travel to see us). (Of course, Christmas with my family is yet to come, but that just spreads things out nicely.)

It was fairly hectic, with the Christmas Eve service and the Christmas Day service, but everything went really smoothly and we had a yummy turkey dinner after church (courtesy of my mom-in-law) and leftovers on Boxing Day.

The kids did really well even with all the excitement...well, okay, they haven't been going to sleep as easily as normal, but really, they aren't terrible. I'm just tired (I think I'm fighting to not get a cold).

Yesterday, we went ice-skating with some friends. That probably deserves it's own post.

Tonight, we got together with some other friends and had turkey dinner again (yum yum yum), and more presents for the kiddos. They got to play with their friends too and it was such a nice time.

I got spoiled by TKHubband....he remembered things I wanted and got them for me! ;)
This one, I specifically asked for because I thought it was something I would use, and oh, it's so cool and fun and it works! He also got me a mantle clock with a Westminster chime...I've wanted one for quite a while. (Most of our friends think it's the doorbell, even though we've always had a 'ding-dong' doorbell.) Now, I just need to put the cuckoo clock back up for a cacophony every hour...just kidding! He also got me a calendar with secret garden pictures, and a bunch of yummy chocolates. Before Christmas, he got me a KitchenAid stand mixer! Woohoo! They had a really good deal, so he picked it up for me (got an extra 10% off!) and gave it to me early, so I could do my Christmas baking with it. I've also used it for mixing the meat mixture for meatballs. It works just as well, and maybe even a little better, than I expected.

Oof, long post....so that's it for now...lots of blessings this year.

I was good yesterday!

I was. Honest.

While I did start the ballet sweater I mentioned yesterday, I limited myself and only let myself do 2 rows at a time with 40+ minutes of tidying/cleaning between. I figured that was very reasonable. 2 rows actually recharged me enough to fold and put away a ton of laundry and clean up all the toys all over the floor and vacuum!

So, because I was so productive yesterday, today is (almost) a write off. I did manage to pick up a last couple of things at the mall this morning and wrap the rest of the presents that aren't for the monkey-children. Not bad, but now my sweater is calling to me again....maybe if I do 2 rows, I'll be able to get some more tidying done.

My get-up-and-go got up and left...

So, I'm supposed to be wrapping presents, figuring out the last few to buy (No, I'm not done yet) and finishing up my local (ie. hand-deliverable) Christmas cards...

...but I don't want to.

What I want to do, is sit down and start working on the snazzy ballet wrap sweater on the cover of the Winter 2005 Interweave Knits magazine. I even have the yarn I want to use and the needles I need. I've been reading too many knitting blogs and am so inspired by the beautiful things people are making. My hands are itching to pick up my needles and make something.

I have plenty of items in my part-done list, but none of them are calling to me the way this sweater is.

I suppose if I spend a few minutes getting work done, maybe then I can justify starting it? Maybe?

Hmmmm...I do like red hair...

Your Hair Should Be Red

Passionate, fiery, and sassy. You're a total smart aleck who's got the biggest personality around.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

Christmas Decorating...

...is mostly done!

Yay!

Of course, our loveseat, coffee table, glider, etc is still in the garage, but, hey, I've got TWO trees decorated inside, candles, snowglobes, etc inside and the outside lights and decorations are done!

Yay!

Oh wait, I still have the Christmas Village for on top my cupboards, the garlands for the banisters, and my wreaths for the doors to do. And my Christmas letter to write!!! :O

Wait a minute, why am I posting to my blog instead of writing my Christmas letter?!?!?

Christmastime is here...

Christmas time is here,
happiness and cheer,
fun for all that children call
their favorite time of year.

Snowflakes in the air,
carols everywhere,
olden times and ancient rhymes
of love and dreams to share.

Sleigh bells in the air,
beauty everywhere,
yuletide by the fireside
and joyful memories there.

Christmas time is here,
families drawing near,
oh that we could always see
such spirit through the year.

By Vince Guaraldi (I think)

This song has been going through my head a lot this year. Part of the reason is because of the Peanuts Christmas Special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. Another part of the reason is that a few different groups have redone this song so I hear it more than previous years. It makes me think of the gang of peanuts characters, each of whom has issues (which makes them more real).

It also makes me think of Linus and how he recites the Christ Child’s story from Luke, and then says to Charlie Brown, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

On cats and Christmas Trees...

You don't want to know....not really.

Kitten, as I previously talked about here, likes Christmas trees. Specifically, he likes to climb in, chew on, and sprawl inside our Christmas tree.

Last year, when he was but a small kitten, he spent so much time in the tree, that I kept a pair of pliers out to bend the tree branches back into place to keep the ornaments from falling off.

Now, he's full grown.
.
.
.
Yes, he still climbs in, chews on and sprawls inside our tree.

What am I going to do?

The weather pixie is wearing normal clothes!

Now that it's a little cooler, the Weather Pixie is actually wearing normal clothes!!!!!! She's wearing a very nice sweater and pants.

;)

Over-obligated....or just feeling like I am

So, a while ago I posted that one of my upcoming posts was going to be about being over-obligated....yeah...I've been too busy to post.....

Really, I'm not over-obligated...I just feel like I am...

Why is it that I feel so responsible for fulfilling everyone's expectations?
I'm horrible at it.
* Thank-you notes.
* Keep-in-touch phone calls.
* Volunteering to help (with everything).
* Organizing this, that or the other.
* Being in charge of maintaining group communication.
* Keeping a spotless house...or even just tidy.

Even if others don't expect me to do something, I somehow feel like I'm failing by not volunteering myself and my time.
Even if others have no idea or intention of me doing something, I still feel that I should do it and by not doing it, I've failed at being 'good', 'responsible', 'thoughtful', etc. (all those good things)

And, I actually want to do most of these things (that's probably the root of my problem), I just haven't figured out how to fit them in to my life.

I also want time for me (selfishly, when I want to do what I want, I put the monkey-kids in front of the TV). I fear that I'm not giving them enough non-TV time...or enough time playing with me (rather than just playing in the same room as me). And I 'lose-it' with them far too often...where's that gentleness, kindness, self-control?

When I do get the time to work on something...I usually choose a selfish thing to spend my time on. I could write a thank-you note, but I sit and knit. I could phone an old friend, but I play with my craft stuff. I could clean the house, but I hide in a book. I could empty the dishwasher, but I surf the internet reading blogs.

(sigh) I guess I have to work a little harder on my servant-heart....

I ripped it out!

I picked up the seed stitch kerchief because I thought it would be good to get something done on it. Well, after knitting one row, I decided to rip it all out.

The cast on was too tight, so the shape was off right at the beginning.
My tension wasn't even when I last worked on it and it just didn't look very nice.
After I did a row, a bunch of holes appeared. Not dropped stitches, more like intentional holes, that weren't intentional.

Monkey-girl decided she'd rather have a red one anyways, and they look dumb on me, so I ripped it out, wound the yarn into a ball and picked out something else to make with it...


...a bowtie scarf. And so far, it looks quite nice and is moving along at a decent pace (for me).

(I hope one skein will be enough....)

So, what's up next?

Now that I've finished Monkey-boy's sweater, I can spend more time on the other projects I've started but haven't finished yet! Yay!

Now, let me see....
* Monkey-girl's needlepoint stocking (stitching 90% completed)
* Homespun crocheted shawl (75% completed)
* Seed-stitch knit chenille kerchief (50% completed)
* Crocheted ribbon purse (60% completed)
* Needlepoint sampler I forgot I started 10 years ago (80% completed)
* Crocheted doll dress (50% completed)
* Beautiful cross-stitch tree sampler for me (20% completed)
* Christmas presents (like I'm going to say what they are!)
* Funky knit socks (5% completed)
* Stunning black layered wrap skirt for me (I have all the stuff I need)
I think that might be it.....maybe....

Then there are all the projects I want to make...
* two baby blankets for new babies I know
* knit cropped sweater for me
* knit wrap sweater for me
* cuddly knit sweater for monkey-girl
* monkey-girl's crocheted afghan for her bed
* oodles of cross-stitch kits hiding in my closet
* snazzy pants I bought a pattern for
* snazzy wrap top I bought a pattern for
* ...trust me, there are lots and lots and lots more....

And, this doesn't count the card projects, bead projects, scrapbook projects, etc that I would like to do....hmmmmmm....maybe I'm a bit unrealistic?

Finally pictures of monkey-boy's sweater!

It has taken me so long to get these pictures off the camera and on to my computer, but here we go...

This is monkey-boy's sweater I talked about HERE and HERE. So, it takes me 2 weeks to post pictures....I had to figure out what I was doing.

What's up with the Weather Pixie?

Okay, I think the Weather Pixie is fun and cute...that's why I bothered to put one on my blog. However, I think the poor thing would freeze in what she is wearing. Do the people who match the graphics to the temperature just not realize what cooler temperatures feel like?

If I went outside right now in a cropped top with no jacket, I wouldn't be nearly as relaxed...it's hard to relax when you're shivering.

Posts to come...

* Monkey-boy's cardigan is done! (with picture)
* Where does the time go?
* Over-obligated....it seems....
* Who knows what else

October

I like October.

October is when the leaves change colour and fall and (if we're lucky) we get to play in them before the rain turns them to mush. It is also when I notice the shorter days and light candles in the evening...and during the day when it's dark and rainy.

Don't take this to mean that fall is my favorite season...though it is my favorite in October. It's weird but as each season arrives, I am ready for it, and it is my favorite. Each season has redeeming qualities...even winter, which is dark and rainy much of the time, has those beautiful weeks of crisp frostiness where the sun reflects off the ice and (maybe) snow.

October is when monkey-girl was born. She was supposed to arrive in September, but refused to come out until the weather changed to rain. My mom's birthday is in October, too. And Thanksgiving. And, of course, Halloween. So, October is a good month.

Last year, October was so very difficult. Right at Thanksgiving there were two deaths in my family, my Grandad and my brother-in-law. We spent monkey-girl's birthday travelling to my Grandad's funeral. I'll always remember that that day was so beautiful. The sun shone on us and all the trees were painted oranges, yellows and reds. The first 6 hours or so, in the car, the kids were good and the scenery was lovely. The last hour, when it got dark, it rained. But our hotel was nice and monkey-girl got to play in the pool with her cousins before bed.

This year, I was worried that I wouldn't like October anymore. But I do. When I drive in the driveway and the tree beside our house looks like a huge flame of yellows, oranges and pinks. When the grass gets all lush and green from the cool rainy days. When I get to wear snuggly sweaters again. And even when the air in our bedroom is cold, and it's dark, and I don't want to get up in the morning. Somehow, it is all comforting. This is the way it's supposed to be. It is a change of seasons, but it is a change to something familiar.

Yes, I like October.

Procrastination

I've been wanting to post for the last week, but "life is busy" and "I don't have time"...well, actually, I just didn't think I had the time to write what I wanted to write....or what I felt I should write...

Anyways, today is Sunday, so I should be able to get a few minutes to add a post or two...or more this afternoon...I hope.

Kitten

One year ago today, we brought home a sweet little kitten from the SPCA shelter.

At that time, we already had 2 cats, but they were older and my husband and I thought that it would be nice for the kids to have a cat that was 'theirs'.

We were nuts.

Kitten is what I call him. Monkey-girl changed his name so many times that "Kitten" was something I could call him that wasn't 'wrong'. He has been "Gentle-Soft-Warm-Kitten", "Candle-Holder", "Pull-Tail", "Catch-Up", and a few others I don't remember.

Kitten is a very...active cat. I suppose we missed this stage with our other cats because we were both working when they were kittens. But really, he's pretty crazy. He doesn't seem to learn from any type of discipline. I've tried the loud voice, clapping, grabbing him and locking him in the bathroom, and spraying water. He's either really smart, or really dumb. I think he thinks scratching the furniture and the way I react is a big game. (The other cats learned.)

The only reason we have kept him is because he is so very wonderful with the kids. He thinks he is one of the kids. I have never seen a cat so relaxed around little kids. Once there were 5 kids under 4 years old playing together and Kitten just walked over and flopped down on the ground among them!

I wonder how many years until he calms down and I'm a little worried that he won't. Ever.

Curtis

March 15, 1976 - October 7, 2004

I think of you when I...

...eat stuffing. I remember how much you loved stuffing and how you would pile the stuffing on your plate until it was half full.

...see a Garfield comic, picture or stuffie. I remember you reading the Garfield comic books and laughing out loud.

...hear "I Wish You a Merry Christmas". In my mind I hear, "I Wish You a Merry Chest-Wig". You thought Ren and Stimpy were so funny. You loved to quote them.

...have pickled herring or smoked mussels. I like them too.

...see someone struggling with life. I wish I could have helped you.

Rest now in peace.

See you in heaven when I get there.

It's a guy thing...

I was in the craft store looking at yarn to make monkey-boy (my 3 year old son) a sweater. He was with me and I thought it would be a great time for him to pick out the colour(s) he wanted.

I suggested, "How about this nice blue for a sweater?"
"Nope."
"Maybe this nice green?"
"Nope."
"How about this brown?"
"Nope."
"Do you like this orange?" (He LOVES orange.)
"Nope."

After this continued for a while, I just gave up and we went home.

Later, I went to the store by myself and bought the yarn I had originally planned to use (Bernat Harmony in Velvet Green and Red Heart Sport in Polo). When I started working on the sweater and told him it was for him, he said with a big grin, "Wow! Tanks Mum!"

...I guess when he was saying, "Nope." what he meant was, "I don't want to decide".

I'll bet that applies to all ages...it's a guy thing.

Skinned Knees

My daughter (monkey-girl) came home from Kindergarten today with a nasty scraped knee. I didn't realize how bad the scrape was until I changed her bandage tonight before bed. I mean, it was a big bandage covering two other bandages, but I figured they just put extra on to make her happy....right?

Wrong! She's got one huge scrape about two inches by one inch and another about the size of a dime! Poor kid. She hardly mentioned it to me when I picked her up, just said, "I got knocked down and skinned my knee, Mommy. One big scrape and one little scrape beside it."

I should have known she meant it.

So, now she has a Lilo & Stitch bandage over the big one and a Dora bandage on the small one. She's good at handling pain. I was using alcohol to take of the baby oil I used to take off the elastoplast yucky bandage and I accidentally got some alcohol in one of the scrapes. She wimpered a bit, but handled it really well. I know how much alcohol hurts....she's a real trooper.

This is her second scraped knee since school started. (The first time, it was both knees, but they were pretty shallow.)

The problem is that she isn't used to playing with that many kids in an enclosed area that has paved areas, and she wears knee socks with her uniform, so her little knees are pretty unprotected....maybe I can convince her that tights might be better....

Nah. I don't think so.

Here fishy-fishy...

When I was a kid and my family would go fishing, my mom would always get me to call the fish, "Here fishy-fishy-fishy!" (She'd get me to call the sun out from behind the clouds, too.) We used to say that they would listen to me because I'm a Pisces. I don't put faith in astrology - God is so much bigger than that.

Anyways, we went and got the monkey-children a Betta fish today. I did a little research on them before we made up our minds that that is what we wanted. (I found some good information at http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/anabantids2/p/betta.htm.) I hope we can do a bit better with this than we did with the last fish trial (the goldfish didn't live very long). I'm going to put a little more effort into keeping the water quality up.

He's a very dark blue with burgundy-red on his tail. He looks a lot better here than he did in the little tiny tank they had him in in the store. I also bought some water conditioner for Betta fish and some Betta fish food (freeze dried red grubs - YUM!) and some activated carbon with ammonia neutralizers.

I'm going to sew some little bags to put the charcoal in because the tank I have doesn't have an external filter....it just filters through the gravel. I'll just replace the charcoal when I do water changes. I figure that's better than no charcoal at all.

Well, I'm sure the water in his bag is the same as the tank now, maybe I'll let him explore his new home. I wonder what the monkey-children will name him?

One of those days....

Today started poorly. A late night last night and the little monkey-girl waking me up this morning meant a shorter sleep than I would have liked. As a result, I have been walking around with the grumps. The happy, excited voices of my children are giving me a headache. I look at my messy house and see the mess, not what I've cleared away. I see all the negatives and none of the blessings.

Time to give my head a shake and open my eyes to reality. Yes, the house is a mess. But I can clean it up little by little. So the kids are loud. They're kids. And they're happy and healthy and wonderful. We've been blessed by abundance and I need to turn around and bless others with it.

Thank you Tylenol for the reality check.

The beginning...

Here is my blog.

I didn't think I would start one of these up. I'm not a writer. I don't have anything to say.

Then, I thought, "It would be good to have a place to put down the funny things my kids do when they do them...."

...and that was that.

I started thinking about making my own blog. All the things I might actually write in it. And how easily I could do it.

So, here we are.

The beginning.