It's all in a Day!

Thank goodness it's snowing. I need a bit of cheer.
Yesterday was a Monday with a capital M. I have a very large yarn order to fill. The husband is in charge of yarn calculations. I should've known not to put him in charge of that task as he has no idea the difference between fingering and bulky weight yarn. He miscalculated and I'm off by 15 skeins of yarn. Not-good. The dyeing stove DIED!!!!! Literally! So 15 trips up and down the stairs toting all dyeing paraphernalia. Not-good. Mr. Bettis has tracked in mud requiring the floor scrubber to be parked in the kitchen permamently. That dog has huge feet!
The kid is at a college where she qualified in the honor band. She's been there for 3 days. Tonite is the concert. The band director was going to bring her and another student home after the concert. Mind you this college is over 2 hours away and the concert won't be over until 9:00 pm. I, stupidly, thought this was a plan until band director stated that he will not have room to bring anyone home. So, Ed must clock out early (without pay), travel 2 hours to pick me up and then leave for another 2 hour trip to get the kid.
It is all not in vain as she called and said she made it in the first flutes which is quite an honor and a testament to her flute teacher. The flute teacher is also the sister of the band director. So I will get to watch her perform and I plan to knit on the way. I also have my handy-dandy night light to knit at night in the car.

I finished a pair of gloves for a Christmas gift. sssshhhhhh........I can't say whose gift. It's a secret.

Off to get coffee ready to take along and pack the knitting bag.

p.s. The kid who is in college today forgot her winter coat. The college area is also getting snow. She'll learn to listen to her mother won't she? LOL

Homecoming Dance

This is a picture of one of the fun dress up days during Homecoming week.

Quite a "get up." LOL

This is the Field Captain dressed up for the Homecoming Dance. Quite a transformation in 2 hours from the end of the winning Homecoming game to leaving for the dance.

This young man (as I mentioned in the second of the three posts) was her date for the dance. We were the designated chauffer for the evening as the young man is wheelchair bound from a tragic car accident.

We tranported them to their dinner reservations to meet 20 other classmates. They had pizza. It figures, doesn't it? Kids go to a great restuarant and they order pizza. LOL

We picked them up from there and tranported them to the dance. They had a great time and truly enjoyed the time together.

There are a few more play-off games to go but nothing compares to the Homecoming Game. Not even State Play-offs. It's an awesome time and if you are an alumni and think you are "done with all that" then you really missed an awesome game. After all tradition, fun, family and the enthusiasm from both schools is what Homecoming is all about.

The Last Homecoming II

The band director took a picture of the band/dance team seniors in the football players helmet. The first and the last to be taken in the helmet for these kids.






Playing the Piccolo is one of the many instruments the Field Captain plays. She also plays steel drums and the tenor saxophone. This kid loves music.






Cheering her team and loving every moment of it.

And this folks, is the winning score. We WON! Our team was the guest this year and let me tell you, both teams played an awesome game and gave this town something to talk about and to enjoy.

Not only did our school take the Traditional Kettle back from the opposing team but ESPN Great American Rivalry was on hand and presented our school with a trophy. Only 20 rivalry teams are chosen a year for this honor and the winning team of this game recieved the trophy.

This young man is a classmate of the Field Captain. He was a star football player until a tragic car accident last Feb. An awesome and quiet young man who has nothing but respect for others. The team wore the #2 (his football #) on their shoes and another player wore his jersey in this game. This is the true meaning of friendship and team spirit. This was a very special Homecoming.

A picture of the Band Field Captain and the #2 star with the trophy.

The Last Homecoming I

The very last Homecoming with a family member in school culiminated in style. Locker decorating began last weekend. The DH and I spent quite a few hours getting the locker "just right." What you can't see is a band logo sweatshirt, 12 bottles of vitamin water, a red duffle bag with her name and Senior embroidered. The duffle bag is loaded with candy, snacks and goodies and a toothbrush. Yes, a toothbrush. It's something the Easter Bunny has done for years in this house and Homecoming is no exception:).

Red & White Day. She wore the hat that she knitted. Now she has orders to fill........LOL









Tie Dye Day. She and a long time friend went shopping the previous week. They had a ball choosing this outfit. They tie dyed the socks and had a great time. They turned out cute.







The game started at noon yesterday. Here she is directing the 2nd movement of the band show.

As Field Captain she directs the band on cheering. Here she is "getting down" with the school's favorite cheer.

The Tick Round 1

I spent last evening in the medical clinic again. Getting real sick and tired of the "white coats."

There is a nasty little bug that failed to head for hibernation this year. A Tick! If you see one, Run the other way. A tick (also referred to as an arachnid) found shelter in my upper arm. It went undiscovered for an undetermined amount of time. Now, I know you're asking, how can that be? How could she not see a tick on her arm? Keep in mind I failed my driver's license eye test a year ago. Remember? On my birthday? And I had to get new glasses to pass the test? That should explain it:).I can't see 1 foot in front of me without my glasses. I measured and from my eyes to the back of my arm where Mr. Tick made his home, is exactly 1 foot.

The doctor was very nice to point out that it is necessary to look in the mirror at one's unclothed body for ticks, if one has been exposed to the outdoors.

I have a few comments on that suggestion:

1) I had 4 kids (that should explain the body shape) B.C. (before children) I had a lovely shape. Thin, tiny waistline etc. It went downhill A.C. (after children) very quickly.

2) Looking in the mirror is not something I care do. This includes department store dressing rooms that have mirrors on all sides to show every angle of one's body.........I mean seriously, why is that? Like that's a sight I'd want to see!!!!!! Refer to Comment #1 if you have any doubts.

3)I would never under any circumstance, venture outdoors without being properly and decently clothed. Therefore my body parts are not exposed. I certainly wouldn't want the clothes police to give me warnings:) Again, refer to Comment #1

4) At my age, reason #1 and #2 are enough that the rather young "Dr. Kildare" should never toy with the thought that I even own a mirror much less look for ticks in front of one!

I'm sure his own mother would advise him that he was not utilizing his medical knowledge (and common sense)to the fullest when he made a suggestion such as that to someone in my/her age bracket.

The domesticated tick happily left a bite the size of a 50 cent piece and the bite was a lovely shade of purple and red. I've never seen a tick leave this kind of bite. So, off to the clinic we went. Two hours and $253 later ($$$ that could've been spent on yarn and I would've actually enjoyed it) they numbed the arm, lanced it and got the rest of it out. I recieved a shot in a part of my body that I will not mention (much less look at in a mirror) and 10 days of antibiotics. It is now 3 inches in diameter and quite a lovely shade of red just in time for the Homecoming game this weekend. What a Mess!

I'm off to knit.

Gimme' the Candy!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!

Gnome MIA

It was cold, windy and snowy yesterday. I tried to capture the snow falling but the camera wasn't cooperating. Ranks right up there with my yarn/knitting pictures:). I do not proclaim to be a photographer by any means.
I'm in trouble here. I had BIG plans for hand knitted Christmas gifts. HUGE plans. Something went wrong. I know I had all year to knit gifts but Self needed socks. Self also needed a new sweater. Self has NEEDS you know?!


The eldest son is NOT getting a hand knitted sweater this year. The DH isn't getting one either. I am scratching gifts right and left from the Christmas list. There will be very little buying of gifts this year given fuel, food, utility expenses. So.............I am resorting to smaller hand knitted gifts. Like these little babies.
I found the pattern on Ravelry. My apologies to those who are not on Ravelry.
They make up to approximately 5 inches and they knit fast. I need fast right now. My needles are busy with mittens, gloves and socks. Hopefully they will get done in time for Ole' St. Nick to deliver:)
Thinking ahead to next year I plan to knit this for the youngest daughter. Fingering weight for a sweater. I know what you're thinking, "how can she possibly plan for next year when she's scratching gifts this year?" Hey! At least I have a plan.........lol

I started an Alan Dart Gnome. His body and one leg were knitted. I decided to clean the living room and change the furniture around. Mr. Gnome body parts are MIA. (I wonder if I can use MIA as an excuse for the unfinished Christmas gifts?)
There is no documentation i.e. picture, journal etc of the missing gnome. I realize no documention appears to be suspicious of, the procratinating knitter aka lil' ole me, but trust me, I really was knitting the gnome. I think I have a suspect of the 4-legged variety. Long white hair. Known to swipe yarn and WIP and stash them under beds. That Darn Cat!

p.s. That's what I get for cleaning. I'll learn someday.............

Knotty or Knice?

My BFF gave me these socks for my birthday. I LOVE them! She bought the yarn at the MD sheep & wool festival this past May. The yarn is Socks that Rock in Watermelon Tourmaline. She knew that I've been wanting this color for a long time. The pattern is a Cookie A pattern.
I enjoy receiving hand knit gifts. I appreciate it so much.
They're perfect!




That wasn't the end of the surprises. She also knew I have been wanting Gingerbread House from Knitpicks. Everytime I would try to order it, it was on backorder. This yarn is so-o-o-o soft. I pet it everytime I walk near it in the basket. She made pattern keeper sets for me and she bought me a Knit Night Light so I can knit in the dark.
Thank you BFF you know me better than anyone.

I called my BFF yesterday in a panic. She was calm as a cucumber about the whole "finish gift thing." I am sweating it over here. I have no idea how she can be so calm. I know we made this "finish the gifts in time" vow last year but I have no idea where the time went. I also have no idea how she can be so calm.
Now before you think I haven't finished anything. Take a look. Knotty or Knice gloves.
This picture didn't do true justice to the color. After 15 pictures I gave up and settled on this one. It is a purple/blue/green mix and they are perfect for the person in mind.
I loved making these. They were quick and the pattern is very well written.

I was on the search for a project when I happened to come across these on the needles. (so that's where my extra set of size 4 dpns were stashed) I started them sometime back in Jan 2007. I put them away and I only had one thumb to finish. I'm still trying to figure out why I did that little stunt. Is my mind slipping? Don't answer that.......lol I have no idea what pattern I used for these and since I only had the thumb to finish I didn't even look for it.
I finished the thumb and stashed them as a gift. I have a person on the nice list who requested mittens and since she likes softer colors these are perfect. One more gift crossed off the list.
Off to see if I can find UFO's that should have been finished a year ago or to find more needles...............
p.s. Just read the BFFs post. She is in a knitting panic. Whew! I was afraid I was in panic mode alone. (I'm feeling much better now:)

It's a BIG Day

October 17 is a BIG day. It's my Birthday!




I thought I'd share a few pictures. This is me at the age of 3 months. My parents adored me although they tell me I didn't sleep at night. I was blessed with a son (read post below) who did not sleep at night either. Apparently my "mother's curse" of having a child just like me does work:)

I was a happy baby, so they say.

Here I am at the age of 2 1/2 years. Look at that cheesy smile. (my mother cut my bangs, can you tell?) I loved having my picture taken way back when. That has changed.

I remember dressing up and I loved dresses and patent leather shoes. That has changed also:)

I played with baby dolls but my favorite toys were a stuffed skunk with a vinyl head and a sock monkey that my dad won at his place of work. I no longer have them although I'm still on the search for a skunk similar to the one I had. Mom and Dad gave me a new sock monkey two Christmas's ago.



This is the best I could in my search to find an older picture. This was taken at 15 yrs. The photographer lightened my dark brown hair to this reddish color(:-.
My (greyish.....ahem) hair is now a lovely dark brown thanks to those boxes of hair dye that are so readily available. hey! You gotta do what you gotta do these days!




This, folks, is my NEW Birthday present. A dryer. An honest -to -goodness-brand- new -fangled clothes dryer. Our son and daughter-in-law came up last weekend. They purchased and installed this brand new gas dryer. It's my Birthday/ Christmas present. Thank you, Nick and Becca, I love it. The DH loves it even more. He was tired of hanging out laundry. LOL
It doesn't take much to please me but I must admit this tops the toilet that the same son installed for me a few years ago on my birthday.

He took me into the bathroom after the toilet installation to sing Happy Birthday to me. When he got to the line of "Dear Mom....." he flushed the toilet. I laughed until I cried. It is a requirement to have a sense of humor in order to survive in this family.



Look at the inside of this baby. It is HUGE! Those towels come out soft and warm.
The husband and I agreed to not get each other any gifts this year. We have to feed and maintain the car. It needed a brand new $100 battery this week. Don't forget the fuel. But it's all okay. You have no idea the gifts that have graced my doorstep in the past from the DH (when he remembered):

A swiffer


A swiffer wet jet (which he and the youngest DD quickly assembled to "try out" and have never used it since)


A blender (so he and the youngest DD could make milkshakes. I don't like milkshakes)


A salad shooter ( he also bought all the salad fixings so he could try out my birthday salad shooter)


A "good" broom (that he promptly took downstairs to his work area)


Well........you get the picture. I'm content to not exchange gifts:)


p.s. I just opened my email this morning and the youngest DD sent me an ecard It's perfect!

Thirty Five Moons Ago

On this day, October 13, 1973, a young girl gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.

Son, this is a tribute to you on your special day.








You were such a beautiful baby that I must admit your grandmother and I would try little girl bonnets on you. You would have nothing to do with hats and quickly pulled them off.

You were awake most nights during your baby life (you still don't sleep much) which left us napping during the day. Little did I/doctors know that you were struggling with asthma/allergies at such a young age.





You learned to swim at the age of 3 1/2. You had no fear of the water and jumped in on the first day of swim practice and swam to the instructor. You were diving from the diving board at the age of 4 yrs. This love of the water resulted in you qualifying for the swim team at the age of 4 yrs. You enjoyed attending and winning at the swim meets. Remember getting up at 5 am to go to swim practice? Only to return that evening after school to swim at 6 pm? It never wore you out. You had more energy than 5 kids:).






Later, the years were filled with football, baseball and band practice. It was a busy time but you had fun. (the reason why the teachers still remember you after all these years...........LOL) Remember the day I received the phone call from your Vice Principal that you and your friend were caught during class time tying rubber bands around the school to see if you could qualify for the Guinness Book of Records?

You grew to become a responsible, mature man and for a while you filled your days with acting in a few movies and theater. We enjoyed watching you perform.




You met a beautiful young woman and you are now happily married. We adore and love your wife and we're happy to say we have gained a "daughter."

Dad and I are very proud of all that you have accomplished and will continue to accomplish. We are glad that God chose us to be your parents and we love you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON!

Murphy's Law

Remember Matilda? Well it's Murphy's Law. Everything comes in threes. Keep in mind the DH is away two nights a week now. Of course all of this happens while he is away.

The dryer is broken.

The DD went to get in her car this morning. Wouldn't start. The bus already went so she took the other car. I hope this is the end of stuff breaking around here. If it wasn't for spending money to fix the stuff, I'd buy yarn to soothe my woes:) However, I do have Mr. Bettis and his on-going antics.


See this toy? The dogs recieved this in their stocking last year. When squeezed it plays "O Christmas Tree." Mr. Bettis had the toy for the first time. There's no way it would look this good if he had it from last year.

He was having a good ole' time. Until..........it started playing music. He jumped back and ran with his tail tucked. Cracks me up. I think I'll keep this toy around just to keep him in line:).






When it finished singing it's tune he came back to investigate. He's sniffing and checking it out here. The pink towel is supposed to keep him off the love seat. You can see how well that works.






Look what I finished! YAY! Music mitts for the daughter. They're in her school colors and I think she's going to love them. The yarn is Kraemer Sterling/Silver fingering yarn. I dyed the red skein. They were fun and I enjoyed knitting them.
I just hope her friends in the band don't decide they each need a pair.
I'll teach them to knit if they do:)

p.s. It's raining. Translation? A broken dryer, wet clothes and well?....it's beginning to look like the Beverly Hillbillies around here with wet laundry hanging throughout the house LOL.

Doldrums vs Startitis

Where have I been? Buried in an avalanche of stash.
I've been in a bit of the doldrums lately (translation? It involves a certain band director and ongoing medical issues). I decided that if I started something, I would feel better.
So out came the coveted one skein of Wollmeise that I acquired from Sara. It has been sitting pretty in the basket for months. It's growing up to become the Heartland Shawl. This shawl is for Self.





Feeling a bit guilty about starting a shawl for Self when I should be knitting Christmas gifts I started a pair of socks. Using a skein of my Doozer's handdyed DK weight, this pair should whip up rather quickly. Not sure who they're for but everyone I know has the same size feet.





The youngest daughter is begging for a Favorite Warm Sweater so I dug around in the yarn stash mass and found this Noro and Lamb's Pride. She's small in stature so it should knit quick too. That is, if I actually knit on it:)









Self started complaining again and I cast on for a pair of Monkey socks. This is a skein of yarn that I handdyed and it was begging to be used. Just as soon as I got this far, I found the No Purl Monkeys and now I wish I was knitting that pattern instead of this one. (sigh) I guess I'll have to cast on another pair of socks to knit the No Purl Monkeys.






Then I found this pattern, Bobby's Garden Blanket. Had to have it. I cannot justify buying enough Noro to make this blanket right now so I dragged the left-over sock yarn container to the "knitting corner" and cast on for this lovely blankie. It will take me forever to knit but it's fun and I'm not in any hurry. Any suggestions to use a nice, inexpensive, worsted weight yarn that would give me the same effect as the Noro is greatly appreciated:).

p.s. I'm off to find another set of dpns to cast on the No Purl Monkey Socks. I'm feeling a bit happier now:)

Meet Matilda

Meet Matilda. The brand-new-suck-up-the-dust-bunnies sweeper. She is lightweight, she sucks up those dust bunnies in a flash and she was cheap. The husband wanted a more expensive gadgety (is that a word?) sweeper but Matilda was begging to come home.




Look what arrived in my house. Aren't they pretty?








Look who was singing "baby come back, any kind of fool could see......." in the backyard.

Is this who sent the flowers?











That broom better watch it, as I know someone who could put it to good use.

Is this exciting? Or what?

Remember a few posts ago when the hubby "did" something to the sweeper and it broke? I made a "green decision" that we could work without a sweeper. I convinced myself that a broom would do just as well as a sweeper without using electricity. It worked for a few days. The dust bunnies are now overtaking the home. I caught the teen picking them up and baptizing them with names!
Okay, I give up. 3 cats, 3 dogs, one kid and a husband and I thought we could go without a sweeper?

We're going into town tonite to purchase a brand new sweeper. I'm actually singing:
We're off to get a sweeper
A wonderful wonderful sweeper
Because, because, because, beca-a-a-a-use of all the wonderful things it does..........
hum hum hum hum.............

The next post will be of the brand new sweeper!

Play Nice or......

Friday night Football again. I certainly don't mean to bore you but it's our life.
We are trying to enjoy this year in spite of adversity and impending medical issues.






Our daughter/Field Captain/Drum Major marching to the beat. The Band was excited and upbeat and ready for a big game. There were predictions we would lose and in spite of losing any game our fans/kids still have fun.






A funny moment with the band director right before she directed the fight song.









Here she is, directing the Alma Mater at the beginning of the game.
Jessi, I promise I will get a video clip and post it but probably not until the Homecoming game when I can get the complete band show in daylight hours.

p.s. This post has been updated due to some not-very-nice comments that have since been deleted. I don't normally respond to nasty comments but I must ask that unless you attended and witnessed the ENTIRE pre-game and the game itself, please reserve judgement.
Hopefully the Truth will prevail and it did. The opposing team was reprimanded for bad behavior.