tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221061042011-07-07T20:22:54.287-07:00Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comBlogger4101100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-46417514269324697272009-09-21T04:11:00.000-07:002009-09-21T04:11:00.213-07:00

Natalia was met at the airport on Friday night. It was BFF at first site. She is adorable and precious and we just may have to keep her. We've had a whirlwind weekend full of get acquainted activities and resting from her long trip. We've had very few language issues as she speaks much better English than we do Spanish and she is becoming more confident everyday.Sunday we threw caution to the

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-82985183474603543322009-09-16T05:40:00.001-07:002009-09-16T06:04:33.798-07:00

We have made room in the closet . . . . . . and emptied out the spare dresser drawer . . . . . . and taken up more space in a small room to make more room . . . . . . because on Friday night at 5:00 pm we go to the airport to pick up Natalia - Nati, for short - a 12 year-old girl from Guatemala who will be living with us for 12 weeks as an exchange student. She is blond-haired and blue-eyed;

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-86544909229591675732009-09-02T04:40:00.000-07:002009-09-02T07:50:39.684-07:00

Seventh grade. A new year, a new attitude. On both our parts. We wrote "new year" resolutions for ourselves, and each other, then sealed them in an envelope to open at the end of the school year. I'll share mine with you. I promised to try and give my girl more space. To grow, to try, to mess up (gasp!), to fly. I freely admit to hovering last year; to being "too there". But I did so for

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-66070460096587638842009-08-31T06:02:00.000-07:002009-08-31T06:30:23.769-07:00

Sorry. The break went a little bit longer than I anticipated. The blog and I were in a little bit of a disagreement as to which should come first - work or play. Ultimately I won. And while the blog thinks of herself as work (and at times, so do I) last week, it was all work for me. The blog thinks what I do is "volunteer" and thus, should not count as work. She thinks she should come first.

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-57377733719403536362009-08-13T09:05:00.001-07:002009-08-13T09:22:36.302-07:00

My blue house is now . . . . . . my brown house. And I'm ok with it because I got . . . . . . a red chair in the deal! The California cousins (and their parents) return tonight from their 10 day scenic tour of Wisconsin. They paid a special visit to a certain mural (where my brother-in-law's mom was born!!) and I'm guaranteed my own personal slide show tonight! They also had

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-69748056888162295032009-08-11T04:00:00.000-07:002009-08-11T04:00:01.076-07:00

Kathryn got it in her head that the cats might enjoy leashed walks outside. Sam passed on this idea immediately and for the first time in her kitty life, she actually cried. Tig's reaction was a bit more understated. "I'm not moving a muscle, and no amount of jiggling that thing can make me move!""Not even if you get down on your four paws and act like a kitty. Not for kibble or whatever else you

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-3623966902047737192009-08-10T04:56:00.001-07:002009-08-10T06:18:44.396-07:00

Last Sunday (not yesterday, because it took a week to recover) was the annual "Let's all gather at Deb's to celebrate whatever there is to celebrate" event. Included in the list of celebratory events was Dad's 80th birthday, Mom's semi-retirement, brother Dave and his wife Ann's birthday, twin nephew and niece's 19th birthday, and the summer arrival of my sister Diane and her family from

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-1213271392163984912009-08-06T07:48:00.000-07:002009-08-06T08:00:08.483-07:00

Things are getting a very hectic here, so to remind us to take some time out and treat ourselves like Princesses, . . . . we're wearing our tiaras. But only momma gets to wear the furry pink one! Isn't that right Holli?

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-58359783539996368802009-07-30T08:18:00.001-07:002009-07-30T08:29:49.277-07:00

And then you have to 'fess up. I hit another pole. Only this time I backed into it. Not as bad as the last time when I took out the whole front end of the passenger side, but bad enough to have the rear bumper waving at me all the way to the pool and back. And mildly embarrassing that the nice man at the repair shop asked Jon "Are we working on the same white Lexus?" Jon: "New car, same wife

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-790997143390334632009-07-29T04:00:00.000-07:002009-07-29T04:00:03.266-07:00

Brenda, of the Tuesday Morning Knitting Group, is just that kind of good person. The kind that does the good stuff quietly and never tells anyone that she's doing it , even when she's doing it right in front of you. You could almost not like her for that kind of good doing-ness, but then, it's Brenda. And she's just about the nicest person on the planet and you can't fault a person for being nice

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-88770738533030415662009-07-28T04:00:00.000-07:002009-07-28T04:00:07.414-07:00

Yesterday, Kathryn and I joined about 40 other friends from school for our second annual summer service project at Feed My Starving Children. In case you decide not to click over there, I'll tell you that this organization does just what it says, all through volunteers, it prepares, packages and ships nutritionally healthy meals to children throughout the world. After a brief overview you

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-46127857359024257702009-07-27T05:13:00.001-07:002009-07-27T05:41:54.073-07:00

At her last check up, Kathryn was reminded of the need to eat more fruits and vegetables. Note that I put this responsibility on her, not on - - say, her parents. No matter what fruits I buy, I eat some, but the rest usually sits around until it's time to toss them. Except for bananas. So yesterday morning I decided to try a new way to entice her with my own version of a fruit smoothie. Fresh

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-13198398428457619392009-07-24T08:03:00.001-07:002009-07-24T08:35:41.621-07:00

For more than 14 years I have lived in a blue house. I've always wanted to live in a blue house. I love my blue house. Love, love, love my blue house. It looks perfect in every weather condition. On sunny days, it looks happy; on cloudy days, it seems to brighten things up; the blue just shines against a snowy backdrop in winter; in the fall, this color blue looks gorgeous with all the fall

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-78851398315462431382009-07-23T06:54:00.001-07:002009-07-23T07:45:44.026-07:00

When last looked upon, Larger than Life bag was complete - sort of. The outer, crocheted portion of the bag was complete; the lining was complete. All that remained since June 12, 2007 was to join the two pieces together. Yeah - I'm that lame. The problem was that the lining was just a smidge too small for the bag, or so I thought.I finally decided that defying the laws of physics was not in my

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-22231884480634277442009-07-20T05:41:00.000-07:002009-07-20T07:02:39.207-07:00

Babs and I spent some quality time together this weekend. I finished the squares for sections 7 and 8 and then tried a different method for seaming them all together.I'm quite pleased with it - even in its un-blocked, un-pulled, un-tugged, un-tucked state. It's simple too - hold the pieces wrong sides together, single crochet through both pieces, chain two, single crochet repeat!Side-by-side

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-4608025256102148922009-07-15T04:00:00.000-07:002009-07-15T04:00:02.387-07:00

And books for hooks, (and my favorite pieces of each new book - The Picot Star Table Cloth, and the "idea page") . . . and hooks on books, (the KnitPicks double ended crochet hooks - stick with your regular crochet hooks - just saying') (a Tunisian crochet hook brought to knitting on Tuesday so as to be reassured that it was not a mistake at the factory!)And my current hooking

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-31072754210405221082009-07-09T07:12:00.000-07:002009-07-09T07:58:05.872-07:00

I am on injured reserve for a while; I have an owie-elbow. Mom and Dad don't know what happened to it and if I did remember, I don't know how to tell them. Tuesday night it hurt so bad I couldn't even walk on it. On Wednesday morning it still hurt really bad so Mom took me to see the vet that I love so much. Dr. Matt pushed and pulled and poked and prodded and tugged and turned. I was so

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-48237713649337270722009-07-08T02:09:00.000-07:002009-07-08T04:01:12.703-07:00

Dear Diary,I finally made that call to the OB/GYN practice today to schedule the appointment I’ve been putting off for several months. In so doing I’m beginning to accept the fact that Nature has a plan for me over which I have no control. It’s just – I’m not ready. Seriously – not ready!. So I’ll rattle off my concerns – fatigue, can’t remember stuff, emotional blubber house (more than usual),

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-74326282307806643702009-07-06T04:38:00.000-07:002009-07-06T06:20:21.421-07:00

Kathryn has become a fan of a few blogs lately; notably, Chris and Bakerella, cats and cupcakes - the life of a twelve-year old! So when the demand was issued call came to gather at "The Big House" for a family dinner to celebrate* with baby brother and wife of just one year who are in town, we jumped at dessert for our "dish to pass". Nanee asked for a "pan of brownies". "Pan" of brownies you

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-14465512183201032162009-07-02T06:35:00.000-07:002009-07-02T06:40:31.959-07:00

Maybe it was his party hat?

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-62410721177737000332009-06-30T06:29:00.000-07:002009-06-30T06:52:34.217-07:00

Jon would say that if we have to start painting rooms over again, we've lived here too long. I claim that since everyone uses our laundry room to enter our house, it should look better than it has.Jon put up the wainscoting a few weeks ago. The weather finally cooperated (in that it is fall again here in Minnesota) so that it could be stained and varnished over the weekend.Tig spent the weekend

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-74854851116861057002009-06-29T04:41:00.000-07:002009-06-29T05:43:06.453-07:00

Our weekend - sweet! Two date nights with the Mr. I finally got to see "Star Trek". He indulged me. As a result of Saturday's funky weather, I had plenty of time to . . . . . . finish up skeining, measuring and petting 125 yards of merino/silk/bamboo. And then I just stared at it, and showed it to Mr. a lot because I really like it . . . and . . .. . . I finished this side (Solid Square

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-58694119743215109892009-06-23T04:00:00.000-07:002009-06-23T04:00:52.556-07:00

And everybody will be complaining about it. Everybody except Holli that is.Because the greatest mom in all of the whole dog world went in to a store she would not ever normally go into for anything and bought a pool.And all of a sudden, the dog days of summer don't seem like they'll be so bad. Heck, it even looks like there could be room for mom in that thar pool. On second thought . . . It's

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-66147536849134417932009-06-22T06:25:00.000-07:002009-06-22T07:24:17.794-07:00

Kathryn's "big sister" Heather graduated from high school this year. While not related to her in any way, Heather served the role of big sister in every way possible, beginning in pre-school when the girls were matched as buddies and they formed an instant bond. What followed is seven year friendship based on that same love shared between sisters. Heather looked after Kathryn during their

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-55808982115787194992009-06-17T05:45:00.001-07:002009-06-17T06:17:14.142-07:00

Summer is such a nice time for spinning. I can be outside, not so many interruptions - like - life. So I've been really enjoying the time I've been able to spend at the wheel. There isn't a lot to show for the time but what I do have, I love.First up, some beautiful alpaca that was so very easy to work ("the book" said it would be.) I decided I wanted to separate the three colors for a longer

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-88319257212737574422009-06-16T05:44:00.001-07:002009-06-16T06:20:51.248-07:00

Phmi phmlog! Phmit's phme, phmolli.Sorry, probably you couldn't understand me with a tire on my mouth. Anyway, this is Holli and I am kind of mad at mom cuz of all the talk about everyone being so happy to be back home together and she forgot to tell you about how happy I am that Dad is home. Mom is fine and everything; we have good "quiet time". But me and Dad have a game that we play every

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-87999556999316507232009-06-15T06:10:00.001-07:002009-06-15T06:53:55.096-07:00

Everybody is home and so happy to be back together. Friday and Saturday were busy with our house guest and graduation parties. Sunday was our first opportunity to spend time together as a team. The day was spent on various errands, hobbies and chores - including the installation of a basketball hoop - so the recently acquired skillz can be kept fresh! She beat her dad in "Horse" "HORSE" to "H".

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-73628000245182018952009-06-12T10:10:00.000-07:002009-06-12T10:20:28.920-07:00

It is now noon. I woke the hoops girls up with breakfast in bed. The one request: "Pleeease mom - nothing healthy!"Raised chocolate iced doughnut, WITH the patriotic sprinkles! And a few grapes because I couldn't resist. Jon is en-route from Tokyo and should arrive home in about 4 hours. A jungle lawn awaits him, as well as a stack of mail. But there will also be many smiling, purring, licking

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-75333073355489510092009-06-11T07:09:00.000-07:002009-06-11T07:48:35.502-07:00

Based on the comments from yesterday, I must have forgotten to tell you guys that Jon is in China. He read the blog yesterday and sent the following email:"Looks like you are getting questions on the blog about China. Here is Hong Kong harbour. Jon Secrest"Kathryn finally checked in from basketball camp - much to her mother's relief. She's exhausted and having a blast. They come home today. I'm

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-1176914639825594972009-06-10T06:23:00.000-07:002009-06-10T06:49:39.332-07:00

Day Two: I'd like to tell you that I've been sleeping alone during Jon's absence. I think that would be the decent thing to do. Usually, one small, black kitty sleeps in a tiny ball by my knees until she gets bored and needs to take yarn for a walk. However, some sort of kitty truce has been called and they are gonna keep me in this bed no.matter.what! Holli, who hasn't been allowed on the bed

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-25195570263503101312009-06-09T04:00:00.000-07:002009-06-09T04:00:00.515-07:00

Day One: Cleaning out studio; I found long lost sock. Hmmm, why did I only knit one?It's all coming back to me now . . .The rest of the yarn took a midnight stroll through the house with a kitty. Silly of me to leave it in a Ziploc bag inside another bag next to my bed. I love a good challenge but even I was doubtful of getting this back into one, continuous piece. It's hard to stay mad at her

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-22444821167389762922009-06-08T04:00:00.000-07:002009-06-08T04:00:00.403-07:00

School got out Thursday. No rest for the wicked here however. The BFF arrived back in Minnesota (from Texas) early Saturday morning, along with her sister. Kathryn, the Texas girls and two others were promptly deposited at basketball camp on Sunday at St. Ben's . Phew - enough of them! Seriously - it's just a five day camp, and it's inside in gym clothes. They packed for a month in the

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-19997553275016072422009-06-04T05:51:00.000-07:002009-06-04T06:18:24.287-07:00

. . . heel and toes, . . . heels and toes. Now-blogless-Jeanne brought back gifts from Stitches. Miss Babs Yummy and Yummy Toes in Falling Leaves and Aubergine. So now I'm thinking, with these little feet, and all that left over sock yarn down there and all the left over scraps of un-dyed yarn . . . . . . or maybe Jeanne will just keep going away, cuz that sound much easier! Thanks Jeanne!

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-62589709678378492162009-06-02T05:47:00.000-07:002009-06-02T05:58:45.419-07:00

Yesterday, while working VERY hard golf tournament (fund raiser - what else!), I did something I haven't done in almost 5 years . . .. . . I drank a beer. OK - I drank this one and a small one at lunch. Perhaps this explains why when bidding on an awesome liquor package during the live auction later that evening, I bid against myself by and paid $250 instead of the $200 I had just bid. Well -

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-11481031229510550482009-06-01T06:07:00.001-07:002009-06-01T06:28:22.290-07:00

Chris has the better pictures and story of yesterday's Dye Day. All I have are four beautiful hanks of yarn, hanging around in the porch,drying in the warm summer breezes. They'll look prettier when they are dried and skeined and sitting in a lovely basket. Chris also managed to capture some great action shots of Sammy and Tigger in a boxing match whilst in a catnip induced high. Perhaps she'll

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-16648820079578739182009-05-26T05:44:00.000-07:002009-05-26T05:55:53.098-07:00

Please don't tell Kathryn! But while she was away at a friend's cabin for the long holiday weekend, her parents acted just like grownups . . . . . . with a fancy day and night in downtown Minneapolis. And then followed up by acting just like kids when we . . . . . . slept out on the porch the next night. The animals thought this was a hoot! What did you guys do over the long weekend?*Just

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-39973740785134344242009-05-22T06:16:00.000-07:002009-05-22T06:50:53.177-07:00

I've pulled Middle School lunch duty at school for the rest of the year. I'm happy to do it - as much for the kids , as for the poor teacher I'm helping out. It's down to the last 10 days and the natives are definitely getting restless.The sixth grade girls are still looking pretty innocent; not the source of much lunch room chaos!The silly seventh grade girls are so ready to be the big kids!Next

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-78603279086213878912009-05-21T05:48:00.000-07:002009-05-21T06:15:43.023-07:00

One of the prompts in the writing lab at school is to give the students a few facts, settings, or pictures and see what kind of story they can weave. Often they are quite elaborate; sometimes they are quite stunning in their simplicity! This exercise came to mind yesterday when Kathryn and I returned home from school and I thought you might like to take a stab at it. Here is the setting and a

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-77353071749761085892009-05-20T05:53:00.000-07:002009-05-20T06:13:22.653-07:00

All of a sudden, my day-time calendar is beginning to free up as summer approaches. This allows for longer blocks of time to do things - - requiring longer blocks of time! Since the porch is finally open (and the errant sprinkler head has been repositioned making the porch usable too!) I thought it was time to bring the spinning wheel out of hibernation and get some spinning done.However, and

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-54438974608979791632009-05-19T06:32:00.000-07:002009-05-19T06:52:20.583-07:00

Finally, the River Rapids socks are finished. They were actually a much quicker knit than the blog would have you believe. I spent a large part of this past weekend listening to a book for an upcoming book club meeting and finished one and 1/2 socks. The last toe was grafted last night during the season finale of "24". Jack - sigh. I love this heel. Surely it has a name, but I'm just calling

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-34131638760085507842009-05-18T06:06:00.000-07:002009-05-18T06:32:28.812-07:00

A few years ago Jon took a class at our golf course on making your own hanging baskets. He'll freely admit to everyone that while you won't save any money doing this, you will bet a much better product than the pre-made hanging baskets. This weekend was "hanging basket weekend" as he passed the craft on to Kathryn. I have no pictures of the actual making of the baskets (it's messy!), the

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-81578297173278774912009-05-13T05:48:00.000-07:002009-05-13T06:08:07.103-07:00

Legally declared so, 14 years ago today. Last year was a public declaration; this year I'm feeling more contemplative - more and "in my head". Suffice it to say, I love this guy, my guy, and would still marry him all over again. Happy Anniversary Jon. I love you - today and always.

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-7990847039919695292009-05-12T05:56:00.001-07:002009-05-12T06:23:56.228-07:00

In between treating me like royalty on Sunday, Jon was busy all day working in the yard. As I think I've told you before, he's in charge of all things gardening and landscaping. I don't possess the skills to do these things. Last week I ventured out to the front garden to pull some weeds. I was joined soon afterward by Jon. He came out under the guise of smoothing over the spat which sent me to

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-56358374670160540362009-05-11T06:27:00.001-07:002009-05-11T06:53:55.950-07:00

Knowing that I am pretty spoiled by my family the other 364 days of the year, it seem silly to have a whole day dedicated to spoiling me. But they did. Breakfast in bed, mimosas, the day to do whatever I wanted, a cocktail and appetizer hour, and a homemade dinner. But Jon, being one of the best gift-givers ever, put together this lovely "tea-themed" package that just thrilled me to no end.A

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-48136189070822790422009-05-07T16:40:00.000-07:002009-05-07T17:34:37.508-07:00

Or in my case, listen to a mom whose opinion you trust in matters such as this. That would SO not be my mom. She would be inclined to say something such as: "Why are you even bothering with that?", or "Don't you have anything better to do with your time?, or, the always available, "When Kathryn is in high school, are you going to get a real job?" Thanks Mom. But I think I'll take my knitting

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-39483279726776913862009-05-07T05:59:00.000-07:002009-05-07T06:16:59.399-07:00

Finally some blossoms to play with! And yes, I got in trouble for "chopping them out" of his garden!Daffodils - Line up! Peek-a-boo! Line up!Flowers - to the left! Flowers - to the right! Show us your butts! Group hug!

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-61731728216931654142009-05-06T04:00:00.000-07:002009-05-06T04:00:00.564-07:00

I'm pretty sure that if I go downstairs and look in any one of my fancy sock knitting books, the description for knitting two socks at one time would be very specific in its description about only requiring ONE circular needle.But that wasn't really the plan here. I began the Sunrise Chevron Socks by looking at the needle sizes and knew "Gotta drop down." Didn't check or anything. I was looking

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-526228441064474242009-05-05T06:47:00.000-07:002009-05-05T07:04:09.821-07:00

Picked up the mail yesterday and stuffed in amid all the junk mail was a wonderful surprise. I mean, sure I knew they were coming, but I had no idea how much I'd love them!Two box bags from JessaLu! On the left is Alexander Henry - Citrus and on the right is Heather Baily - Pop Garden Daisy Rose. I've wanted one of these forever and finally, after seeing Margene's new one, caved. Could be a

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-47579038354688705132009-05-01T04:00:00.000-07:002009-05-01T04:00:00.269-07:00

I get to take a little road trip this weekend. All by myself. Alone. My niece is celebrating her First Eucharist in Milwaukee and I'm going to go be there with her. I was scheduled to be the "proxy" godparent - something the real godparent didn't even know about - but I've since been asked to relinquish that role. Now, I'm just going for the free booze at the brunch.While I'm gone, Jon will have

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-5645613557807140112009-04-30T04:57:00.000-07:002009-04-30T05:03:44.004-07:00

Running out of baskets; poor Sammy can't seem to settle on just one. The powder room "spare roll" basket is now the favorite.

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-72328415828650217352009-04-28T05:40:00.000-07:002009-04-28T06:13:33.741-07:00

Thanks for the kind, comforting and all-around good-thoughts yesterday. It helps so much to be in the company of good women who can lend an ear, an eye, a comment, or private email during uncertain times. I feel surrounded! I needn't have worried about a thing Friday night. The Middle School dance went off beautifully! The kids were amazing - well behaved, dressed appropriately, no "space"

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-67832557801821336772009-04-27T04:00:00.000-07:002009-04-27T04:00:01.031-07:00

Sooner or later, in every group of women you spend any amount of time with, the conversation will turn to one of two things: child birth or periods. I've been around here now for just over three years so that qualifies you to know the following: Kathryn was a c-section birth after 20 hours of non-productive labor. There.On to the second topic. I stopped taking a certain medication (at the

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-60226847054223043132009-04-24T06:08:00.000-07:002009-04-24T06:15:52.495-07:00

Sure wish I had been here to see this. But I can imagine how it happened. She knocked it off the desk, dragged it over to the Secret Kitty Lair, and somehow got it righted. She spent most of yesterday in it. I think she's just waiting for me to leave today before she hops back in. I guess it was selfish of me to want to keep It for myself. Have a great weekend. I hope it includes some restful

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-41880131180330030362009-04-23T05:49:00.000-07:002009-04-23T06:17:20.458-07:00

I have dance on the brain. Kathryn dances on a competition team and has had two competitions recently. They have "won" trophies and ribbons in abundance. Yay. Here's the dirty little secret - everybody wins. It's just a matter of what type of trophy you win - bronze, silver, gold, platinum, blah, blah, blah. We don't take this all too seriously in our household. We don't own any t-shirts with

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-28455262784375667062009-04-22T06:10:00.001-07:002009-04-22T06:45:30.810-07:00

When I arrived at The Tuesday Morning Knitting Group yesterday, everybody was a-buzz. Frantic almost. The conversation was fast and furious and a person had to act fast to get a word in. Brenda, the calm, easy-going one (which is so odd as she has a son ready to leave the nest for Boston College in the fall and another son testing his wings as a finishing high school freshman - and yes - she's

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-59180434595040204522009-04-21T05:48:00.001-07:002009-04-21T06:15:19.015-07:00

The cleaning lady has been and gone; but there are certain residents of the household who don't seem to understand the "Let's keep it clean" rule. You know the one that would have you keep your fur on for at least 24 hours so the house still looks clean? Then of course there are the other residents who just walk right past the fur spots believing that we should just leave them until the next

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-86973436173088467312009-04-20T07:38:00.000-07:002009-04-20T08:32:11.574-07:00

When last we saw her, my February Lady Sweater, was making slow and steady progress. That was, of course, back in February. She was a delightful, mutli-color alpaca yarn with which I instantly fell in love. Perfect colors for February I thought.She took a break while I finished up some other (knitting and non-knitting) projects. And now look at her:Huh? How'd this happen? I could blame in on the

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-75179275468632415262009-04-17T05:53:00.000-07:002009-04-17T06:24:38.193-07:00

As much I complained about this scarf, now that it's completed and delivered, I have to admit to completely enjoying the entire process. The pattern was easy to remember and just flew by. Using my own hand spun yarn (a 70% merino, 30% silk blend), was a treat I'd only experienced once before. I'm not sure why I'm hoarding it down there in the studio. I set realistic, daily goals for myself (

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-72968090726476923472009-04-14T04:00:00.000-07:002009-04-14T04:00:00.125-07:00

I can't express in too strong of words just how much I can't stand obligation knitting. I love to knit, that should go without saying. But obligation knitting is just so - obligation -ey. And it aways starts so innocently. You ask your sister-in-law if she would make a few pieces of jewelry* for a fund raiser way back in October. In turn, she asks you, In April, to knit something for her fund

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-4841067144148749762009-04-13T06:49:00.000-07:002009-04-13T07:52:49.475-07:00

A weekend full of sunshine and moderate (50s) temperatures finally send some shoots of spring our way. I say moderate because around here, some people say 50 degrees is "beautiful". I've recently been to "beautiful" - this is still cold.Mr. decided to plant the tulip bulbs in the planters this year - as opposed to in the garden. We have too many bunnies (cute!!) and deer (cuter!!) in the yard

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-23167419694245472872009-04-08T06:30:00.000-07:002009-04-08T07:04:00.372-07:00

Unlike the AWESOME academic news over at Carole's this morning (congratulations Hannah!) this story has a different take on the apple and the tree. My parents are cleaning out their house room-by-room (so we won't have to do it when they die - um, thanks mom & dad?!). I received one of what I can only imagine will be many packages the other day. This one contained my grade school report cards.

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-30799776064837981462009-04-07T05:48:00.000-07:002009-04-07T06:34:19.923-07:00

Spring break 2009, Sanibel Island, Florida. It was the best of times.It was the worst of times. But the prospect of 60 degrees by this weekend is helping just a wee bit. And honestly, a girl can only party for so long before it's time to come home and live in the real world again. And I am - rested and relaxed - ready to live in the real world again.

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-18217418822690679252009-03-25T04:58:00.000-07:002009-03-25T06:03:06.319-07:00

I've been having a little problem with my ear for the past couple of weeks. Nothing serious: ear pain, crackling, inability to "pop" on command. I thought I should have it checked before flying this week so I visited with the kind folks at my local Urgent Care. After reviewing the symptoms with the nice lady doctor she promptly took her magic ear looky-inny-scope and checked my left ear. Not the

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-69816212953437049182009-03-24T06:00:00.000-07:002009-03-24T06:16:59.486-07:00

No matter how you count it, we leave for Florida, our much-loved Sanibel Island getaway, on Thursday for 8 days. Jon and Kathryn count-down the full days here in Minnesota. Therefore, their countdown calendar always looks so optimistic.I always think of how much there is to do and how many days, full or partial, I have to get it all done. So, I say there are three days until we leave. I'm

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-69714676068583567542009-03-23T05:41:00.000-07:002009-03-23T06:10:45.167-07:00

Being the chronic over-committer that I am, I willingly agreed to host Jon's dad's birthday dinner on the same day as the school's Spring Basketball Banquet for 200 for which I was also responsible. Granted, a dinner for 5 is much easier but I was still in need of all the help I could muster. Many hands you know ... Jon grabbed some balloons after the banquet to make our party atmosphere more

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-44120224486459964372009-03-19T06:15:00.000-07:002009-03-19T06:31:03.527-07:00

Things have been SO very busy the past two weeks. And while I like to try and leave something for dinner for the other members of the family, some days it just doesn't come together. Last week I had to bring in the junior chef. With nothing but the briefest of suggestions and the ingredients, she took off.It never occurred to me to find her a cookbook - what Italian cookbook wouldn't have a

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-68400463099375940712009-03-11T03:00:00.000-07:002009-03-11T03:00:01.094-07:00

Who says families don't take time to sit down and have dinner together anymore?Jon moved the bird feeders to just outside my kitchen window this past weekend. I've spent quite a bit of time watching these two snack, bicker, and flap in the snow today. Yes. It is snowing today. That is all I'm saying about that. These two are the only ones around right now. Or, I guess there could be several "

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-62838039074530641662009-03-10T04:00:00.000-07:002009-03-10T04:00:06.510-07:00

It's really sad when such good people live so far away. Take the very lovely and wonderful Mrs. Pao for instance. A request for a magazine only available in the UK was made. Now, I thought I was asking for kind of a lot. Leave your comfortable home (or office); go to a yarn store (OK - not a stretch); lay out the UK kind of cash for 2 copies (one for me, one for Guinifer) of said magazine; send

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-62061134445656153832009-03-09T06:14:00.000-07:002009-03-09T06:49:04.139-07:00

Guess what momma got this weekend?Jon, being VERY brand loyal (every once in a while, just for grins, we play count the SONY A/V components) having done due diligence upon the expiration of the lease on momma's former car (of the same make and model) took the family to the car store. And then momma, being the spoiled baby that she is, got to bring this home. There was great debate as to the

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-76049886982394396682009-03-03T05:59:00.000-08:002009-03-03T06:19:13.265-08:00

When your day begins on a really crappy note - moderating your book club and having the only strong, and negative, opinion about a controversial book and feeling forced to defend said opinion - it's best to have lunch plans with people will just love you for your knitting. Like Guinifer, working on her gozillionth pair of socks. And Amy, knitting up a "cast cozy" for her injured pinky. And the

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-80694854400649841482009-02-26T05:03:00.000-08:002009-02-26T06:17:51.929-08:00

Holli, the weather watchdog, is ever vigilant. She knows that something is brewing. She's right; yet another "Storm of the Century" is heading our way and we are expecting 4 - 8 " of snow in our part of the country today.So because we aren't leaving for Florida and our Sanibel Island retreat for 4 weeks, we're doing the next best thing to deal with this snow madness. We're going skiing. The

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-34320747808175124332009-02-25T04:00:00.000-08:002009-02-25T04:00:00.738-08:00

This time of year, our little Tuesday Morning Knitting Group can be - well, pretty lonely. What with people traveling to Mexico (Sandy) and their faraway cabins (Cindy) and Sanibel Island (Peggy). Imagine my pleasant surprise when most of the girls decided to return yesterday (it's ok Peggy - we'll hold your seat for a little while longer!). And they bring beautiful finished projects for me to

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-48024534155753054332009-02-24T06:06:00.000-08:002009-02-24T06:39:26.646-08:00

. . . I pass this street sign.And then, just around corner, a block or so away, I pass this street sign.I think we should get these two together!

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-73886557784884913232009-02-20T06:07:00.001-08:002009-02-20T06:27:56.476-08:00

I may not be very good at comforting her in the middle of the night, but give me the kitchen, and meal time and I can get my girl feeling like herself again in no time. It's incredibly cheap and it works on her dad too! Meatloaf . . . and mashed potatoes! Although in the car on the way to school this morning she informed me that she hates all of her clothes. I think this problem is going to

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-30383167880432604422009-02-18T05:35:00.000-08:002009-02-18T06:00:55.245-08:00

Kathryn missed last Friday at school to attend the funeral of a family friend with us. This was all cleared with the teachers ahead of time (as far ahead as one can plan such things) and all was good until last night at around 11:00 or so. I'm not real good with parenting things after "lights out" but there two things in particular where I really suck - barf and tears. Luckily for Jon, last

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-50923218722491810512009-02-17T05:48:00.000-08:002009-02-17T06:17:46.960-08:00

Valentine's Day 2009 Just a few cards and some "token" gifts. I'd already bought myself some boots so Jon just got the "Bourne" trilogy on Blu-Ray. Yea - that's actually more for me too!And homemade heart-shaped pizzas three ways: Plain with just cheese for Kathryn,Half sausage, half pepperoni and olive, (any guesses whose half is whose?) and Holli's!This year's dessert - Molten Chocolate Lava

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-78772884444820510402009-02-16T04:28:00.000-08:002009-02-16T04:38:25.603-08:00

In honor of President's Day, the Penguin Princesses (Christmas gifts from my mom & dad - and yes, Jon has a pair too!) will be sleeping in. We had a very busy weekend, filled with tons of food and family time. More on that later.Because right now - it's bed time. If Monday is a day off for you, enjoy some snuggle time with someone (or something furry!) that you love. I know I will be.

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-83174943514711595672009-02-13T06:03:00.000-08:002009-02-13T06:22:45.098-08:00

I've got a new plan. Sinuses still stuffed, ears still hurt, body still fatigued. But I'm gonna knock this infection out by working from the opposite end. The way I see it, if my feet look good, then they'll feel good. If they feel good, that will start a whole chair reaction of "good feelingness" that will eventually send this sinus thing packin'. Maybe I'll sleep in them. Think you've seen

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-2143330784538146552009-02-11T07:39:00.000-08:002009-02-11T08:29:58.995-08:00

Today begins the third week of medication for what began as preventive care following my dental surgery. I thought I had a routine cold. Turns out, it's neither routine, nor a cold. However, the fact that I was on an antibiotic and had recently had dental surgery kept me from thinking I was any sicker and therefore, I suffered. Until last Thursday when the jaw pain, ear pain and pain in my upper

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-21325864469562969432009-02-10T06:09:00.000-08:002009-02-10T06:23:56.562-08:00

Because it is February, and I did finish two of the three sweaters I said I had to finish before swatching for just casting on to see if I like the yarn starting a new sweater.How's your glass house?

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-72932620412885048292009-02-05T06:59:00.000-08:002009-02-05T07:08:04.397-08:00

Wrestled my new sweater away - this time from Tigger.Put in on this morning, managed a quick, really bad self-photo in the bathroom this morning (first picture had a tooth brush in my mouth). Alas, I'm still not tall!It looks better on me than it does on Kathryn. Doesn't it?

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-10026611263375682352009-02-04T06:50:00.000-08:002009-02-04T07:40:41.556-08:00

In my effort to finish dead unfinished sweaters before starting another new one, I have finished the second of three, long-languishing projects. This Cropped Cardigan (Ravelry deets) is one of my favorite little knits and I'm not sure why it took me so long drag it out and finish it. But finish it I did. After which I gave it a nice hot bath and let it dry out in the studio for a day or so.And

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-31713222329384063112009-02-03T05:55:00.000-08:002009-02-03T06:25:29.242-08:00

Do you remember (or know) what happened 50 years ago today? It sparked a lively conversation in the car on the way to school this morning when Kathryn started singing along to "American Pie". I asked her how she knew the song. "Madonna sings it!" I didn't kick her out of the car, but she was subjected to 10 minutes of music history, the significance of the death of these three performers and

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-46120107888489120512009-02-02T06:04:00.000-08:002009-02-02T06:25:59.987-08:00

. . . Super Bowl Sunday meant a room full of people I hardly knew.Now we just have a few close friends over. So close in fact, we don't mind that the laundry is on the floor. Neither do they.Super Bowl Sunday used to mean tons of chips and dips and junk food and chicken wings and good stuff!Now it's a simple dinner of Chicken Stroganoff, broccoli and biscuits.And oh, the drinks - the beer, the

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-36736453057106332432009-01-29T07:08:00.000-08:002009-01-29T07:23:33.962-08:00

Everything went really well with the first stage of the tooth implant. I now have a plastic-covered titanium rod sticking up in the place where eventually (4 - 9 months from now) a crown will be placed. My dentist's words of advice to me are not to play with the plastic-covered titanium rod as even micro-movements of said rod will impede the progress of the bone adhering to the rod. Sure.However,

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-35563054699999752462009-01-26T05:52:00.000-08:002009-01-26T06:26:18.155-08:00

** Fair warning: if you don't want to see the inside of my mouth - move along!! ** About four years ago, after two failed root canals and a somewhat traumatic extraction, I lost a tooth. There was no tooth fairy, no money under the pillow (at least not my pillow but I can name two dentists and an endodontist who may have felt a bit of a lump under theirs.) Just a big, gaping hole on the right

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-86627272702553047742009-01-22T04:00:00.000-08:002009-01-22T04:00:01.063-08:00

Yesterday, Chris announced that reading is on the rise for the first time in 25 years. As for me, I've always been a reader. I almost always have one or two books going at any one time. I don't fit neatly into any particular category of book type - but rather a wide range of books. I prefer to own my books but don't care whether they are hard cover, soft cover or paper backs.I am also an avid

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-63156334230956493522009-01-21T06:06:00.000-08:002009-01-21T06:25:03.655-08:00

Even this hardened, cynical heart knows it. It's hard not to feel that a change is coming.And soon it will be spring in places other than my kitchen corner. But if winter lasts too long, I will have these to look at and sniff until spring.

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-1193624322377580862009-01-19T08:00:00.000-08:002009-01-19T08:52:53.335-08:00

I always wanted to be a teacher. But back when I was in college teachers were flooding the market so I chose the safe route, a non-teaching degree in psychology. Many years later, after working in the technology and telecommunications fields, I'm finally getting a chance to teach - sort of. I spend Fridays at Kathryn's school under the direction of the first year English teacher Miss K.

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-33646141119740532092009-01-16T04:00:00.000-08:002009-01-16T04:00:01.051-08:00

We here in the Upper Midwest find that if we just.keep.talking about it, we feel so much better about the . . . weather.7:10 AM, according to the thermostat.7:15 AM, according to the car.This outside thermometer doesn't even believe it could get colder than -10 degrees. Silly outside thermometer.It is now 8 hours later. I have not left the house all day. Hmmmm, wonder why?According to WeatherBug.

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-33554839107645316272009-01-15T04:00:00.000-08:002009-01-15T04:00:00.708-08:00

Kathryn has decided that she wants to grow up, move out, get an apartment in the city, live on her own, fend for herself learn to cook a few simple things. I begrudgingly cheerfully obliged. We started with something that she likes and that is really easy to make. My goal was to give her a basic knowledge of something that she could then easily adapt.So, Crunchy Parmesan chicken breasts it

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-21451290873398474842009-01-14T08:39:00.000-08:002009-01-14T09:18:14.152-08:00

Last night was our annual "Chris and Jeanne celebrate Deb's birthday and Deb and Chris celebrate Jeanne's Birthday" celebration. As always the party includes cats and cake.Mayhem was in the bag early on. But escaped in time for presents for there was tissue paper involved. From Chris I received a beautiful sheepy mug, some softy-soft Baby Silk Catalina yarn, two skeins of Vinca sock yarn and a

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-81579056255207686732009-01-13T05:45:00.000-08:002009-01-13T06:01:17.356-08:00

Blue cardigan (which looks surprisingly gray while drying down in the studio) is finished! See, it's not that I don't think I'm worthy - you all have helped me through that little hurdle - it's more like I think the new needles deserve something new. A brand new sweater with brand new yarn. A whole new project. The thought of firing up something new - on the new needles - in front of Jon, with

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-61083787195079830042009-01-12T07:12:00.000-08:002009-01-12T08:23:20.139-08:00

Jon, the most excellent of present givers ever, sometimes out does even himself. For instance, last year's Christmas gift, the "out-of-nowhere-unasked-for" spinning wheel and this year's matching stool and beautiful roving. It's as if he's saying: "I support you in this endeavor honey!"This year's birthday gift though - I think the message was something different. It was subtle and in fact, I'm

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-62152723970962056022009-01-07T07:15:00.000-08:002009-01-07T07:27:57.511-08:00

Celebrate with me??I'm told there are big doings later on - Kathryn is making spaghetti for dinner. This morning it was breakfast in bed and a break from the morning drive to school. In a few minutes my grrlfriend and knitting pal Brenda will arrive with coffee and treats. We'll share the morning knitting and laughing and catching up. Later - probably a nap (because I'm really not 36 ya know!).

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-87824047238458473522009-01-06T04:00:00.000-08:002009-01-06T04:00:01.066-08:00

I can't really rank Christmas gifts by favorites because each one means something different to me. This one means that I should be able to spend more time at my spinning wheel. Before receiving this from Jon, I used an old desk chair when spinning and it didn't take too long before my back would start to scream: "HEY: YOU'RE OVER 50 NOW!! YOU CAN'T SIT LIKE THIS ANYMORE!!" So now with the new

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-54844937169779750202009-01-05T06:05:00.000-08:002009-01-05T06:27:07.209-08:00

By far, my favorite Christmas gift this year was two weeks off from the usual routine and running around. But since that can't be wrapped and tied with a pretty bow and placed under the tree, Jon, Kathryn and a few others felt a need to get some of those things for me. I'm planning to show you a few of my Favorite Things in the next couple of days. (Note - I said "planning" since it's now back to

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-52706029328559563802008-12-24T04:00:00.000-08:002008-12-24T04:00:00.265-08:00

"How come we never make Christmas cookies?" "Um, because it's two days before Christmas and I have tons of other stuff to do."Of course that's what I was thinking, but not what I said. And I'm a happier and better mom for it. So we gathered our supplies from the grocery store . . . or . . .. . . from the baking cabinet (and secret chocolate hiding place).We made ourselves some cocktails -

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-75398471404486952552008-12-23T06:13:00.000-08:002008-12-23T07:48:24.361-08:00

Unlike the treks, we here at the Wound Too Tight household have no shame when it comes to posting pictures of ourselves on the interwebs. Our recent Christmas card experience provides just such an opportunity. Mister fancies himself quite the photographer. We have lights and umbrellas and timers and - well, stuff I can't even name. This self photo really proves just how good he is doesn't it?Dude

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22106104.post-29448465186340245872008-12-16T05:50:00.000-08:002008-12-16T06:28:35.642-08:00

Jon and Kathryn take Holli to Petco every year so she can participate in the Christmas frenzy. Holli loves shopping for her own presents. She tolerates participating in shopping for presents for her feline brother and sister. Once home, the presents are hidden in a secret place, only to magically re-appear on Christmas morning. You know dogs - "out of sight, out of mind". Sort of. Much like

Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14621579116496310351noreply@blogger.com