the dropped stitch

The Endless Summer

2006-09-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

It's Labor Day, the "official" end of summer. Which reminds me that last year at this time I was living in the land of "the eneless summer", Southern California. I really miss that place. I am happy with my new career and house, but I really do miss the beach and sunsets, driving up and down the PCH. One of our friends from Cali has had to move back home to Bingotown. Her hubby works for the same company mine does and it was time for them to return. They were there for 3 years. We will commiserate together this winter . Maybe I will get a tanning membership for the winter.

On the lighter side, the kiddos go back to school Wednesday and I can reclaim a small amount of sanity in the house.

2006-08-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

I am at the office today, doing floortime and the phone has not rung once for me in 3 hours. I have gotten my desk organized, done some filing and ate some chinese food. No knitting. I am beginning to think about it more though. My class is over, and I have not finished my homework either. Or taken my test. Uggh. I have been very busy at real estate, and loving it. Can't wait for that first check, which will come on or about Oct. 25 if my first sale goes through. Yep. I'm gonna celebrate somehow when that happens, havent decided how yet. Probably I will buy myself a little sumthin, sumthin ya know, like a new purse or jewelry.

Have You Hugged a Bitch Today?

2006-07-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

Man was I ever feeling bitch- aayyy today. The heat, and humidity when combined with monthly hormonal fluctuations caused great internal distress for me. See, we bitches can't help it. It is totally out of our hands and we are just reacting to the idiots all around us who get in our way. Do I hear an Amen, sistas'? No, I have not been drinking.

What the 'h' is going on?

2006-07-08T19:22:00.000-07:00

It's a pretty typical night at the Youngs house. The males are camped in front of the tv, alternately fighting over the remote or the computer, glad I don't have that problem anymore. They are watching some show about the real pirates of the Caribbean. I never get that damn remote anymore. It's always some show about war, or turkey hunting (incredibly booorrring) or chhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhghhhhh my h just popped off my NEW freakin keyboard. WTF? I was gonna say chopper show. Ok my h is all better now.

I have something to bitch about. It is nothing new, actually a previous post touched on this situation. It is my bathroom. Every, and I do mean every, e v e r y time I go in there (and I am usually doing the pee dance...) I have to clean the seat. WHY, oh WHY is this so? I worked very diligently with these boys with the whole aiming thing, lifting the seat etc when they were little lads learning how to go. My oldest is off the hook as is my husband, so that leaves 3 suspects and their friends. I may install a security camera or somethhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh there goes my h again. This time I think I fixed it for real. I thought also about "sprinkling" something on the seat next time I'm in there and a boy is pounding on the door yelling he has to "deuce". Vaseline? That would fix there little asses. I do really love them but this must end. The worst is when I have been gone for the day and I return of course really needing to go and somebody not only sprinkled the seat, but they didn't flush a steaming deuce. No fan going either so you open the door and its been dutch ovening in there for God knows how long. Alright, that was really gross, but its true. It's my life, the sad, sad reality of my life. This is what is has come down to. Me, writing about poop.

2006-06-30T20:56:00.000-07:00

I am slightly freaking out because I need to get a head shot for my business cards and ads. I need to loose that 10 last pounds and my hair really needs to grow NOW !!!! Business cards are ordered in quantities of 1000, thats alot of cards with my pudgie cheeks and hair I don't luv getting passed all over Broome County. Not to mention the newsprint, internet and tv. CRAP. I know in the grand scheme of things this is minor. I know I am vain. Knowing these things about myself doesn't change anything though. I am giving myself one more week for the weight thing, and then thats it.

My brain is absolutely flooded with new stuff and business details to tie together. I have decided to banish self doubt and all memories of past failure. I can do this. I am capable. This business will be my largest stretch ever.

I haven't started my socks yet, but I think this holilday weekend I will cast on. In a couple weeks I will start more training classes for 6 weeks. I need to remember to build into my life that time to divert and create in the midst of starting a serious business. One of my sons asked me if I was going to ever have my cafe that I have always wanted but thought I could never do. This could very well be the vehicle to get me to that point. Life sure is interesting and full of twists and turns. A year ago I was preparing to move to California for 1 to 3 years. I couldn't have imagined what came next. What doesn't kill ya only makes you stronger.

Feels Like The First Time....

2006-06-29T12:39:00.000-07:00

Ohhh yeah, baby... my first time with my new notebook. I am loving it. So yesterday was very interesting. We had this ginormous flood, and as the oldtimers say "Back in '72, Agnes wasn't this bad..." I do remember Agnes in '72. I was about 8 I believe. And I was living about 2 minutes from where I do now at my grandmothers house. We never got to go out and gawk at the flood. I went for a walk yesterday and tv just doesn't do the sight of a flood justice. Unbelieveable. I want to go back down and take pictures later. I feel awful for all the people who have lost everything, and especially those who just went through this last year. I am glad I live on a hill.

Ok, I just have to say that I feel a little like Carrie Bradshaw (Sex in the City). My favorite show, I think because that was always a dream of mine. Living in NYC with my other sexy single girlfriends, having a fabulous career, drinking cocktails and wearing fabulous clothes. We all have secret fantasies that will never become reality. And thats ok. I figure I get to try out all these different lives through my fantasy life. In reality it would never be as good.

2006-06-27T05:57:00.000-07:00

I got through my first day of training at Century 21, my brain is a blur of new info to soak in. I feel like such a duh though because the phone system befuddled me setting up my voice mail. Oooh, yeah I have a desk and voicemail. I feel real. Of course I share the space, but it's still real. And I have been tracking my new laptop and it is due to arrive today...maybe this morning!!!! So excited. No more fighting off the boys to get on-line. They are obsessesed with Warcraft, and I mean all of the boys, big one included. I shall hide away with my laptop and swat their little hands away from it. Yes I will.

2006-06-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

With my real estate exams behind me, I can pick up my knitting guilt free again. I bought some sport weight with a repeating pattern to make socks with. Yes, socks again. Such a portable and not hot-and-sticky project to work on. And cute. My unpacking has come to a bit of a standstill. It has gotten to that "whatinthehellamIgonnadowiththis?" phase. You really gotta wonder about it all, I mean I am living just fine with out it all unpacked, so do I really need to? Yes, because someday I will remember a particular thing, say where is it? and then start tearing through boxes. I got my new stove yesterday. (finally) We have been grilling and microwaving for the last couple weeks. Now I can buy "real food" and cook "real meals" THANK GOD! Another reason I need to unpack more is to find my clothes. (and put them away) (husbands' too) Monday, I am going to start training at an Agency, (Century 21) so I need to find those khakis, blouses etc. I hope they fit. My weight is so up and down. Not a ginormous amount, but just enough to pull pants across my kangaroo pouch tummy. I HATE THAT!!!!! Whaddaya expect after 4 kids, right? (a little pro-bono work from Dr. 90210 would be nice) (or those cute surgeons from Nip/Tuck....just sayin')

As soon as I quit being lazy about picture taking, I will post pictures of the house, boxes and all, and the jungle that is my front lawn. The shrubs have taken over COMPLETELY. Like 20 years of uninhibited growth. Remember that movie "Little Shop of Horrors" with the giant talking plant saying "Feed me Seymore!".... I think I have one of those out there.... help!

Peace out, and wish me luck....

My Grown Up Girl House

2006-06-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

Finally moved in, and back on-line. Its been a crazy time for me. On top of moving, I have been studying real estate. I took and passed my 45 hour course, and just took my state exam yesterday. I am so relieved to have that behind me now.

Life is good. I really love my new house and neighborhood. Nice neighbors, quiet, and close to everything. I am sooo not unpacked yet. I want to have a yard sale soon and sell off my "old life." All that stuff that just doesn't go in this house. All that stuff you decorate with when you are young and have no taste yet I feel like this house reflects a new me. The grown up girl.

2006-05-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

Mothers Day. A day to honor Mom. Give her some flowers and chocolate. Maybe take her out to brunch. I love the handmade cards I have received from my boys over the years and sweet little gifts. Sweaty handfuls of dandylions and wildflowers. As they get older Mothers Day has gotten a little more "sophisticated." Storebought cards replace the handmade, one by one. I decided I would enjoy going out to breakfast with all my men this morning. I knew every restaurant would be packed but thats ok, we are spending time together, right? It didn't take long for #2 son to melt down due to hunger. Out of boredom he began to hit #4 son in the arm. #3 son got in on it also and began to call #4 son "Cupcake." Various threats were made by their father and I and we managed to diffuse the situation and eat and even laugh and have fun.

I guess my point is that no matter how old or young your kids are, or how you choose to celebrate the day, take a deep breath and enjoy your kids. They really do grow up sooo fast.

Peace Out all you Moms and Kids

Waiting to Exhale

2006-05-08T08:54:00.000-07:00

We are still waiting to close on our new house. Still living at my sisters and its all going well even though there are 10 of us in the house. Still studying the real estate stuff. My classes start soon. Keeping this brief, sorry. Soon I will have my own laptop and can get funky again. Peace Out!

Long time, no computer...

2006-04-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

Back in NY, back on line for an afternoon anyway... We have been living at my sisters' house, all 10 of us plus 3 cats and a Mini dog. I have gotten the boys established in their new schools and it is going well. We are closing on our new house on the 20th. We have bought a nice raised ranch that needs a facelift. Paint, floors and tame the jungle in the front yard. We are really close to the boys schools and 5 minutes from Dans' work. Pictures to follow soon. I am gonna get a laptop soon. I have been soooo jonesing to get on-line at my sisters house. They are technologically challenged. It has been mad crazy busy for us as you can tell.

Ya know how I keep writing about figuring out what I want to be when I grow up? I'm thinkin' a Real Estate agent. Now don't judge me, hear me out. Over the years I have sold LOTS of stuff. Cosmetics as a hairdresser, Tupperware, Avon, Discovery Toys, Mary Kay...don't think I left anything out... and then I became a bus driver. That was a great job at that time for me because I got back into the workforce, and I didn't need daycare for my kids. Still, it left me with an empty feeling. I always thought it would be cool to sell houses, but I never thought I was smart enough to handle such an endeavor. I'm still not sure about the smart thing, but I really enjoy learning new things, and sales (I'm a glutton for punishment) is a turn on to me. And, to make a real geek confession, I actually watch the cable access channel where they show homes for sale...when I am not shopping for one. So, I've been studying and I am signed up for a class. I think it's a good job for someone with ADD, in that I will have variety in my tasks, a little desk time, drive time, social time. Selling houses I think will be a more satisfying product to sell rather than brightly colored plastic bowls or other crap nobody really needs, (but ya gotta convice them to buy so you can make your quota...) people need shelter.

Remember my transportation dilema? Let me refresh your memory for you: I sold the shaggin' wagon, Dan bought a motorcycle w/the $'s from that, we let #1 son have our Saturn in NY to drive, then we find out we have to move back to NY. I was really hoping for something red, fast and sexy. I instead got a '95 Buick Park Avenue. Burgundy, h e a t e d l e a t h e r seats with a moon roof and a thumpin' stereo system. OK, it's a granny wagon, a q-tip car, old fart mobile, but I really, reeeaaly like it. No rust. It's even got a supercharger. Essentially it has everything I ever wanted in a car, it's just not sexy unless you are old enough to enjoy lunch at the Senior Center, or voted for Eisenhower.

Well, I guess that's a close enough update. I am in danger of being scolded for my rudeness at the family dinner here....only so long you can hide away at the keyboard with out being noticed, ya know. Peace Out!

Movin' On...not that I want to.

2006-02-27T23:53:00.000-08:00

Well, I figured I better get one more post out there before they (the movers) pack up the computer on me. I should be sleeping, but I can't, my thoughts are just racing. Tonight we took Lindsay to the airport, and had dinner at Joes' Crabshack first. The boys love that place. I do not even want to deal with this but I h a v e to. We had some fun though in the last few weeks and thats important. We made some great memories, and the boys got to see something new and have new experiences.

I'm trying to decide what knitting project to pack for the plane. I have another hat started...in the dreaded camo red heart yarn. It is perfect for this project though. The boys want these camo hats...beanies or skullies or whatever ya call em. But the camo is cool for that. It is almost a mindless project and that would be great to do in between napping, snacking, and ipoding. Speaking of my ipod, I just bought a ton of music from i tunes. The great part is my boys and I like most of the same stuff. I got some Bob Dylan, thanks to my neice cause she likes him and that reminded me I do too, and then a mix of all kinds of people. Def Leppard, Queen, Black Sabbath, ZZ Top, and more Doors. I have a schizo mix going on in my ipod.

Well, I guess I will try to get some sleep, the movers are coming at 8 am, and I have to have my sacred Starbucks time undisturbed first. Or I am grumpy. 4 real. Peace Out!

Smoke on the water......

2006-02-26T20:27:00.000-08:00

Today started out kinda difficult for me...wasn't feeling great, a little depressed. We just kinda' chillaxed a while and did laundry etc. The guys and Linds went to HB to shop and I did some domestic stuff and tried to get out of my funk. The sun was great and hot so I stretched out in it and tried to put the thoughts of leaving in the far recesses of my mind. The plan was to have our fire on the beach tonight. We brought hotdogs, brats, jiffypop (it burned) (as always) etc. What a great night to be at the beach! The water was so nice for this time of year. I collected lots of shells and sand because I am going to make a zen garden of HB. The sunset was gorgeous, and that is an understatement. I just stood in the water watching the sun sink and the colors all melt together in the sky and fade into the ocean. Tomorrow I have to get serious about packing and tying up loose ends here. Tuesday the movers come, they will just leave the beds and we stay hereTuesday night, they come back to pack up the rest of our stuff and we spend Wednesday night in a hotel in LA, and then fly home Thursday. My week is planned out to the minute practically. Part of me just wants this to be over with, but I love So. Cal and I want to enjoy every last minute here.

Catch Up Day

2006-02-25T10:13:00.000-08:00

OK, so we have been sooo busy since Lindsay has arrived, finally I have time to catch up and post. We so far have gone to Huntington Beach, done some great shopping in Newport, drove down to Laguna, and yesterday went to Hollywood. Lindsay has also gotten to experience 3 hours of gridlock on the 405, a classic California experience... Still left on our itinerary: Venice Beach, and bonfire on the beach. I think tonight is the bonfire.

Only 3 days left til moving day...yuck. Trying to still live in denial. I keep pushing it to the back of my head. Life just keeps moving forward nomatter how you try to will time to stand still. But I am making lots of great memories, and I can't think of a better way to spend my last days here than to share them with my neice. (Girls gotta play!) She showed me some new shopping delites like Urban Outfitters and I introduced her to my favorite place to play, Sephora.

Time to go catch up on housework a bit. All this playing has left me with a few mounds of laundry. So peace out, ya'll.

I can't come up with a witty title today, so this is it.

2006-02-21T09:28:00.000-08:00

I think my eyes are still burning from Sundays knitted nudie pic. Right now, I have 1 week until the movers come. It doesn't seem real. The good part is I will be having fun with my niece for my last week here. I am still procrastinating a little this morning...for instance: blogging when I should be phone calling and sorting through the rest of my papers strewn on the living room floor. I am a paper spreader. I can't sit at a desk and figure stuff out, I gotta see it all and spread it. Whata mess. Its my mess, and thats how I like to do things.

I have alot of creative mojo flowing right now in the knitting department, I can't wait to order this one yarn from Southwest Trading Co. and make this sweater they have the pattern for. The yarn is Karaoke and its a gorgeous varigated in blue and purple....to d i e for. I also want some hemp yarn to make washcloths with. I heard its good for that, plus with a washcloth you can practice new stitches and have a useful swatch. Remember my resolution to learn new stitches? I haven't forgotten..once I get settled in NY I will begin that.

Yep, I'm a little boring today. Just putting off dealing with life for a little longer, make some coffee, walk in circles etc. OK, I'll go eat breakfast...peace o u t.

Doggie Style part 2

2006-02-20T10:50:00.000-08:00

I started out with the look on the right, but the neckline was too big, so I picked up stitches, decreased a bit an fashioned a nice roll collar, on left. I am very pleased with this and can see how to improve the next design. Now to write this all down before I forget it!

This is wrong for soooo many reasons.....

2006-02-19T15:57:00.000-08:00

Quite possibly the most disturbing thing I have ever seen knitted, let alone seen in my entire life. Yet I cannot stop laughing...he has a knit "happy trail", and WTF with the daughter playing with daddys knitted naughty bits? I found this on another blog and knew I must have it for my own. Unbelievable. Why are the suits knit in an angora type yarn? The blog I found this on is http://pinkurocks.typepad.com. (need to give proper credit) Someones knitting obsession has gone terribly, terribly wrong. That little boy is gunna be soooo pissed in about 10 years. They need to be put in a witness protection type thing for the rest of their lives...Notice they have pink nipples...I think I see a bellybutton on mom...And WHAT is in the boobs? Mom also really shoulda clued in on the fact that the natural look in pubes is really OUT. A nice little landing strip would have sufficed. Unbefreakinlievable.

Doggie Style

2006-02-19T12:42:00.000-08:00

I decided last night that Mini, my precious little girl, needs a sweater for NY. So I just decided to wing it. I have looked at patterns and I don't have the right size circs. or dpns. or whatever and I wanted to use up what I have in my yarn stash. I have a very simple little prototype in the works and it will have a roll collar and waist. No dpns, or circs. She has been hiding from me this morning because she did not appreciate being measured. I decided to try measuring her with the width of my hand and just pet her so as not to further freak her out. We shall see how that measuring method works. My knitting today is yet another way to avoid what I should be doing. I couldn't face it yesterday and I still can't today.

Last night I also successfully avoided reality by watching War of the Worlds. I liked it even though lately I think Tom Cruise is a nut job. He is still a good actor, albeit flakey in his personal life. (Like I have a whole lotta room to talk)

So far I have lost 10 lbs on the Weight Watchers. Yeah!

I suppose I should either finish up the sweater for Mistress Mini, or do something on the to do list, or revise my to do list, again. So hey, Peace Out!

My Gears are Grinding

2006-02-16T08:28:00.000-08:00

OK, do I even have time to think about knitting or blogging? Sure I do! I am the queen of procrastination and have been known to pull off amazing feats of organization and cleaning at the eleventh hour. I look around this house, and I just can't face it. Yesterday, I decided to make a highly detailed list of tasks, then arrange them in order of priority. That is one way of doing something with out really getting something done. But if anybody asks what you're up to, you just wave that list and say "I've been working on this!" It's like driving a standard, I keep trying to shift without pushing the clutch in. My clutch is a crisis or deadline. Once the realization of that hits, I easily shift into gear and pretty soon I am going zoom, zoom! (Mazda commercial) . Right now I feel like an old station wagon (Vista Cruiser?) with a bad tranny. It'll all come together. It always does. Think I'll go work on my list now. Peace Out!

Queen of my Universe, Master of my Domain

2006-02-15T09:05:00.000-08:00

Well, it's getting down to the wire with our time here in sunny So. Cal. Paradise. Surf City, USA. My little slice o' heaven. The movers are coming to pack us on the 28th, (happy freakin' birthday to meeeeee....) we leave Mar. 1st. My neice is coming to visit on the 21st. This weekend we need to really get organized to go so we can play when she is here. And since I am deprived of female company around here, we will do many cool girly things. Shopping, pedicures, makeup shopping at Sephora, beaches, more shopping, lunches at outdoor cafes. O h y e a h . I am probably looking more forward to her coming than she is.

I finished up another hat for Justin, he loves hats, another scully. Another hat will be in the works 'cause #3 son wants one. One of my best hats thus far, gotta say.

Valentines Day: One size fits all lingerie is usually not a good idea. Unless you are a 5' 2" size 0. Then One size is your size. ' Nuff said.

I have found ipods to be a wonderful thing for teenagers. itunes is my new form of manipulation. Mwaaahhaaahaaaahaaaa....(evil laugh.) "Mom, can I do jobs around the house to download a cd?" Youbetcha! Right now my little minions are folding wash, did the dishes, swiffered the floors. I see no end in sight. The end will be when their memory runs out in the ipods..and then there is always earning the new ipod. .Mwaaaahaaahaaahaaahaaaa!!!!! Yes, its good to be the queen. And right now, I am.

I am lovin' the Weight Watchers! I lost 4 lbs. in 2 days. And the food is good. No torturous de-tox for 3 days. I hate the 3 day detox!!!! No coffee, no flavor food. Eeewwww. Of course I know the first 5-7 lbs is water...but I love the smaller number anyway. I even bought W. W.'s cookbook because I think my family would actually eat the food. When I did LA Weightloss, I cooked my meals separately from theirs. What a pain. OK, now I am rambling. Actually thats all I ever do. I just like to blab about myself. Peace Out!!!

2006-02-13T17:56:00.000-08:00

OK, feeling better, but still kinda crummy. I felt like death until about noon, made myself shower and go grocery shopping. My favorite activity. And I went to Target (Tar zhay) to get a scale. I haven't owned one in a long time and I guess I look that way too. I was shocked. I will not tell the number. Suffice it to say I started stripping down immediately after seeing the number cause I couldn't believe my eyes. Friday I decided to try Weight Watchers plan because it seems a little more real life than when I did LA Weightloss. LA worked but I was a slave to the diet. NO WINE. But weight watchers assigns points to everything and a glass of my beloved wine is only 2 points. I can handle that. So I am doing that online and it is pretty cool, I can print up menus, shopping lists and recipes. Plus, lots of it is stuff I can feed to the rest of the family. I told you February is the month to fix myself. Yikes. Thank God I started walking in January. I think I will knit a little tonight. Work on that sock. I'm gonna need it.

Why Oh Why?

2006-02-13T17:51:00.000-08:00

Fashion Victim Witnessed on Beach in 80 degree weather...WTF? Do you see the UGGS on that chicks feet? Fleece boots on the beach...let it sink in.

God reads MY blog...

2006-02-12T17:47:00.000-08:00

So Nature took its course and that bastard cat got my birds. Nest and feathers all over the place. I am pleased to see that God took a special time out to post and advise me on the whole letting nature take its course thing. Whoda' thunk it? Well as they say in real estate "Location, location, location" and that nest was in a BAD location.

In other news: We went up to Santa Monica, went to the famous pier there. Very cool. Then we went to Venice Beach, its a real slice of life there. You have old hippies, wannabe hippies, rastas, yuppies, senior citizens, skateboarders, rollerbladers and anything else you can think of hanging out there. A great place to spend the day if you are a people watcher. There are shops and homes along the beach, also there, the famous Muscle Beach where they have weight lifting and other manly feats of strength. It looks much as it must have in the 60's, and if you are game you can get tatoos, piercings, henna tatoos, inscense, and a real purty glass bong. Of course there is your typical beach stuff, t shirts, pizza etc. I did a lot of people watching as I am in the midst of an evil cold. I feel awful this weekend, but since its nearing the end of our time here, I must keep going. Today we went back to Crystal Cove with #4 son, the other 2 are such party poopers sometimes. Someday they will kick themselves when they realize they watched tv instead of doing cool stuff with their cool parents. (I am to cool!) It was 80 today and the beach was the place to bake the cold out of me. I pretty much sat and sunned myself, and waded in the waves a little. #4 son built castles and tunnels in the sand.

And about the knitting, I am bored with my stash, and my wips, and I don't feel like another scarf for now. My tune may change once I get back to cold NY. I am looking for a sweater pattern that excites me.

Well, theres a glass of Alkaseltzer Plus with my name on it. So Peace Out, Y'all!!!

Hummingbird update

2006-02-10T09:20:00.000-08:00

Now there are 2 eggs in the nest...

And momma bird

Clearly, I have too much time on my hands...

2006-02-10T08:49:00.000-08:00

I have now seen it all. Really. I was on this funny site, http://youknitwhat.blogspot.com and saw a link to CrochetMyCrotch.com. I had to look. Like passing a trainwreck, you gotta look. If you have a randy sense of humor, take a peek. It is not a porn site, don't worry. But if you are at work I would say wait til u get home.

Navel-gazer, yep, that's me

2006-02-10T07:03:00.000-08:00

Last night we took #2 son out for dinner (sweet 16) at Joe's Crabshack. I love the crabcakes there and left stuffed. Normally I eat half and bring half home. I wish I did, cause I felt very fat afterword. Uggg. I remember the days when I could eat anything and never, ever gain an ounce. I used to try to gain weight. Go ahead, hate me. Its true. When I was a teen and in my 20's I was accused of various eating disorders so I would get a big mac for lunch and eat nonchallantly in front of my accusers. Damn those big macs, for they deposited stealth fat cells in my ass and belly. And not my boobs. The injustice of life. Those stealth fat cells are evil and trick you into believing you are impervious to cellulite. Then WHAMMO! 36 hit and overnight all hell broke loose. I've been battling this middle age spread thing ever since. I miss my boney hip bones of 20 yrs. ago. I had a pair of Jordashe jeans I bet wouldn't go up my calf now. So whats up with all the navel-gazing? It is that time of year again, my birthday is coming so I go into self-improvement/trashing myself mode. Suddenly, I see eye wrinkles, sun damage, zits, lumps etc. that I swear were not there in January. I used to go into a panic and crank up a workout regime so I would feel better by B-day. This year, I started walking in January and I still am. Not daily, but a good long walk at least 3 times a week. Its a start.

No, it's not one of those!

2006-02-09T12:28:00.000-08:00

I may have to title my picture of the hummingbirds nest, because I have been asked 3 times at least "What in the hell is that?" No, it is not a well endowed "Hey nanny nanny". Really.

People I love

2006-02-09T09:35:00.000-08:00

Mike and Jess Aunt Jeannette and Shannon

Adam, Ashley and Lindsay

These are just a few of the people I love and miss and am looking forward to seeing soon!

Justin (#2 son) is 16 today!

2006-02-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

Since it is Justins' 16th birthday today, I thought I would share a few of the many faces of Justin. My Justin was 10 lbs. 9 oz. when he was born...he looked like a toddler in the hospital nursery. I think he is a born performer. He is an amazing, obsessed, skateboarder. He drives me crazy, but don't all teenagers? You can't stay mad at him because within seconds he has you laughing off whatever you were ticked about. I love him, and I am proud of him. Happy Birthday "Juice"!!!

2006-02-08T16:43:00.000-08:00

Need a laugh, knitters? I don't recall how I found this blog but check it out: http://youknitwhat.blogspot.com

I've gone to the birds...

2006-02-08T10:18:00.000-08:00

I have become like the paparazzi stalking that hummingbird nest. I keep checking it to see if momma bird is there, making sure the neighbors cat isn't there..I caught that bastard cat sitting under the nest yesterday morning. He better leave my birds alone. Yeah, yeah I know the cat is only doing what comes natural...blah blah blah. I'd still like to sting his butt with a b. b. gun. But I won't, wouldn't. What I want to do is get a pic of momma bird sitting on the nest...its too cute. But I can't get close enough. Momma bird flies off as soon as she sees me. I need the big lens like the paparazzi use. And speaking of them, Brittney Spears with the baby on her lap. Ugggh. I thought, you can take the girl out of redneck country, but ya can't take the redneck out of the girl. Honestly. What a lame excuse. Terrified of the paparazzi. Next time he cries why doesn't she rub a little whiskey on his gums while shes at it? Duh. Yes, it is always easier to drive your SUV with an infant on your knee, so you can flee the paparazzi. Oh yeah, and drink your Starbucks with the other hand. OK, done with that rant.

I am thinking of taking the train up to the Staples Center this afternoon to stalk some stars myself. The Grammys are there today, and I could watch them arrive and walk the red carpet. Could be cool. Or I could beach it today, gonna be more record highs today. There have been wildfires in the OC this week and yesterday is was "snowing" ash all over. You could see pieces of it falling down around you. As you can tell, I'm not feeling very knitty this week. Not much time left here and I figure I can hide in my house and knit in NY anytime.

Well, hey, Peace Out. Gonna go do something domestic around here and earn my keep.

Life's a beach...

2006-02-07T14:36:00.000-08:00

Glorious, amazing afternoon at Crystal Cove State Park. Just south of Newport Beach, it is practically a private beach. It is immaculate! 82 degrees today, my little slice of heaven is here!

2006-02-06T21:37:00.000-08:00

Ok, its out of focus, but this is a hummingbirds nest in my back yard. The egg is less than an inch long and is the palest pink. I had to sneak up on it and sorry it is not quite in focus but this is just an amazing sight to me. I have been watching these hummingbirds in my back yard and then found the nest. What a sweet miracle. All day long the momma gets feathers and grass to fluff up the nest. I hope I am still here when the egg hatches....

Steelers and Corona win Superbowl

2006-02-05T19:28:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled with the Superbowl results! I really expected a little more of a nail biter, but thats cool. Since the NFL gets all uptight with people discussing the specifics of a game, and I don't know all the rules regarding that and the internet...I will just sum up a couple of aspects of the event. The commercials I felt really left something to be desired. Kinda lackluster and not memorable. There is not one single commercial I remember besides the Burger King number and that was just ok in my opinion. Ok, nextly the beer situation. So I went to Ralphs to get the Corona and lime and it appears the beer of choice in So. Cal for the Superbowl is Corona Extra. I had to get the light. That section of the beer aisle was almost empty. There were 2 6 packs of Light and a few 40s'. Of course this is not a scientific sampling, but it is a curious observation. And Corona does not advertise during football games to my knowledge, but maybe they should get this info...do some research...sell more beer. Just a thought. The halftime show was good. Not fabulous, just good. I like the Stones but they did not rock my world. I remember the year Aerosmith played and they really rocked the stadium.

No knitting has happened today. Earlier we took a drive all the way down to Capistrano and went to the beach there. It was gorgeous. Nothing makes me feel like the ocean does. I just sat on the rocks and watched the surfers and the waves breaking on the rocks. Heaven.

Well, I guess thats all for my post game analysis...time to fold a few loads of wash and brace myself for another Monday. Peace Out!

Wine is not fine at Superbowl time....try a Corona w/Lime...

2006-02-05T08:49:00.000-08:00

I have to say that my stress level has decreased the last few days. I am feeling so much better. Nothing has really changed with our situation, I have just become at peace with it. Everything will work out, I know it will. It always does. Yesterday I didn't do any ramming around. My main goal was to go through our clothes and closet and organize to pack. We are going to be living out of our suitcases for a couple weeks so I had to find NY winter stuff. I realized I don't have enough socks. I have been wearing flipflops for 6 months now, so I wasn't worried. Next room to tackle is #4 sons room. What a nightmare. A room a day is my goal. Fortunately for me we left alot of stuff in NY, so it won't be too bad.

I'm not feeling it for my WIPS yet. I want to make a sweater for ME with Noro. I will work on my sock today so I have another pair for NY.

Dan was channeling Emeril Lagassi yesterday and made 3 big pots of food. Chili, Pork roast, and Chicken and rice soup. The Chili is for today, gotta have football food. He loves to cook, not so much the cleaning though. Still doing the clean up this morning. We ran the dishwasher 3 times yesterday! Dan likes to chop, and work from scratch more than I do. I'm always looking for the quick and dirty dish to keep the hungry throngs at bay. He is a weekend cooker, so he is more at leisure. The great thing is we will have leftovers so this will get me out of more cooking later in the week.

We used to watch the Superbowl with my sister and bro-in law and make a big ol party out of it. This year its just us and it makes me a little sad. Superbowl is almost a holiday like Christmas...anticipated event. (I'm not trying to blaspheme here, just a metaphor) So we have chili, and I'm gonna make guacamole-love that stuff. And then the big question is What Beer Will We Drink??? Wine is not fine at Superbowl time, really. I'm feeling like a Corona w/lime. That was an unintentional rhyme...so I'm gonna leave it alone...OK, enjoy your day, the game, whatever you are into...PEACE OUT!

2006-02-04T18:57:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else on blogger having problems today? I cannot view my blog, but I can post. I couldn't get to this or anyother blog I read on blogspot this afternoon. I kinda got in this far through the back door of another site...but still cannot view my blog. Before that I couldn't post any pictures, so I suspect something is going on here at blogger. And that is frustrating because I just love to read my own written gems over and over again. Bask in my brilliance. You know. You all do it too.

2006-02-04T13:56:00.000-08:00

Here's the shrugs..I love them. The second pic, was an experiment with wine and self photography...

This is my little itty bitty back yard in H.B.

Looking very mellow, ya think?

Note the attachment to my ipod. I am an addict.

Mels' got big feet...

2006-02-03T17:15:00.000-08:00

I played today and it was great! I went to Hollywood again with "T", figuring I need to scope out everything better 'cause my neice is coming out soon. We take the train and is that a slice of life right there. I was standing holding the pole (not dancing, quit that a long time ago....) and a nice gentleman gave me his seat. Chivalry lives! I love it. I did feel bad because he looked like a laborer on his way home and he deserved to sit in my opinion. But he insisted. I took pictures in front of Graumanns Chinese theater of the hand and footprints. It is interesting to me which stars have small feet. Mel Gibson has bigger feet than John Wayne. Unless it's just the shoes. Arnolds' feet are smaller than I thought they would be. ( I hear steroid use causes shrinkage...just sayin') Clint Eastwood has good sized feet. I thought he would. Cary Grant has average size feet. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodwards' are my favorite because they are together and are signed " his and hers." Awwww, that's cute.

Just so you know how the family liked the "Quick and Dirty Chicken Surprise" recipe, my #4 son said "Mom, you've really outdone your self this time." He is nine, take it for what its worth.

And in knitting news: Last night I sewed up the Brown Shrug, picked up the stitches to make the collar and then knit till my eyes were en fuego. I put it up at 11:30. I have a few more inches to go and then I will be done. And then, I must finish my stripped sock. Then I will be up to date on my WIPS. Oh, not really. I still have to finish my "Mud Flap Girl" tank. That is my last lonely WIP.

Quick and Dirty Chicken Surprise

2006-02-02T16:53:00.000-08:00

OK, dinner is in the oven, and I thought I would share this version of Chicken Surprise:
1 pkg. of Stove Top Stuffing, Chicken or Turkey
1 Can of Cream of Chicken or Mushroom or Celery Soup
1 Can of Chicken (like tuna, but chicken, get it?)
Shredded cheese, cheddar or jack
frozen peas or pea and carrot blend
Ok, prepare the stove top stuffing in a casserole pan (I like a pie pan, looks fancy) then set aside.
Take your canned chicken and put in the middle and spread. Add your peas.
Soup mixture is as follows: add 1/2 can of milk to soup and blend. Pour over other stuff.
Top with cheese.
Bake at 350 for 20 min or so til bubbly and cheese is melted.

Voila! Your dinner is ready.

Chicken Surprise

2006-02-02T07:54:00.000-08:00

I am a tired woman today. My sleep patterns are still a little screwed up. My ambition is nil, and I just want to skip to March or April. The thought of moving again so soon just completely overwhelms me. The good news about that is we have movers to do the packing, and I really don't have to go through the big sorting festival I did over the summer. Not to mention all the packing of stuff to go into storage. Oy! I think the daily grind is what really can get me down. But there are still things in life that are good, and I try to keep focused on those. Endless Sunshine! Healthy children! Soft, sensious yarn waiting to become a garment! Yes, and good wine and chocolate...

This afternoon I have to pick up #4 son from school, then take #3 son to guitar. #2 son will be home shortly after that and then begins the dinner process. I have to figure out something not boring for dinner. Usually by Thursday my creativity in the kitchen is bottoming out and its time for pizza. I had a little too much fun over the weekend, so pizza Thursday won't happen this week. Chicken Surprise sounds good. That's what I tell my sons when they ask what I'm cooking and I say Chicken and they say Chicken what and I say Chicken Surprise. Meaning I have no clue, but so far I have Chicken.

Brown shrug is still waiting patiently for me to finish up. Ever so patiently. Tonight should be good for working on it, since there is nothing vital on at primetime. 2 nights in a row of Idol, with a Lost after (repeat) which I can knit through, but lately the tv is too distracting. So a little wine, my ipod and brown shrug are my plan for tonight. Days like these are when I really miss Michael,Jessica and Adam and Ashley. The house was always busy and loud, kids playing pool in the basement, loud music, indoor snowball fights...Dan would try to be grumpy about all the ruckus but he couldn't keep it up. I will be glad to get home to them. Life has been a little too quiet for us all. We all miss it.

Hollywood

2006-02-01T15:09:00.000-08:00

Here's some pics of the tarpits, museum and Samuel L. Jackson at Graumanns... and a mural of Jim Morrison. I have bizillion more pics, but that would be like sitting through somebodys' boring slide show of their 6 week vacation across America.

Run for cover!

2006-01-31T10:03:00.000-08:00

I was talking to my nephew this morning and he pointed out to me "it sounds like you are in the middle of a shit storm, Aunt Beth." That was an astute observation. I like that. Now if only they made an umbrella for that...

Ok, lots to process here... Since the last post we got another offer on the house, $cash$. So we accepted it. There was no big haggling thing going on or anything. Somebody from Jersey, which is the situation I thought would happen cause people are coming up from the city wanting some land. This guy wants to close in 2 weeks, and we already signed some papers faxed to us. Yikes! So I need an apartment and a car and I don't know what else. I am still on the stress diet. My sweatpants are getting too loose.

Sunday we went to the La Brea Tar pits with the boys, and that was cool. It is right in downtown LA. There is a museum there and you can see all the cool bones and assembled critters they have dug up there. There are these ponds of black goo that occasionally bubble. So you stand behind a fence and watch the goo bubble. Boys are imressed by these things ya know. Then we took a drive up to Beverly Hills and down Rodeo Drive, Sunset Strip, Mulholland Drive (Very Scenic!) I saw The Whiskey A Go Go, The Hollywood Bowl and like tons of other cool landmarks. Then Monday I went up to Hollywood to see Samuel L. Jackson do the handprint thing. I went to the original Fredricks of Hollywood store and gots me a little sumpin' sumpin' 'cause I just had to!

In spite of it all, life is good. Life is beautiful. Life is funny. Life is an adventure. Just make sure you carry a big umbrella at all times.

Fish, Politicians, and Me...

2006-01-28T22:48:00.000-08:00

What are: things that "flip/flop" ? Correct! Honest to God, we are all over the map on this one. The pro/con list thing is not even helping. Damn those thought bubbles! I was knitting tonight on my shrug sleeve and I had to rip back 3 times due to not being mindful of my work. The good news is I have been loosing weight! Gee, this "stress diet" really works! It's easy, just add bombshells to your life every 2-3 days, a deadline for moving an entire family of 5, oh yeah and make sure you can't decide where you are going to live when you get there! Then, loose your appetite and make sure when you do eat you "get rid of it" (involuntarily) right away. I look great! I hope ya'll realize the sarcasm here, there is no eating disorder going on. It's the stress. I'm almost into my skinny jeans. It's better than blimping out, right?

I use my blog to think outloud, and so anyone who peeks in on this gets to ride my rollercoaster of indecision with me. I hope it is entertaining to someone. Or educational, Like "How Not to Run Your Life" by B. Youngs. Hmmm, sounds like I may be onto something here....

I promise soon to post those pictures of my newest creations. I keep forgetting to grab a photographer in the house. This is a knitting blog too, and I don't want to loose sight of that in the midst of my drama.

lucky little lady in the city of lights.....

2006-01-28T10:26:00.000-08:00

Yep, that's me. A lucky lady in So. Cal. So we went out last night even though "The Man" didn't get our thingy in on time YET. The bills are just gonna wait 'cause time isn't and I need to have some fun here before I go. We went to this place with a view of the beach and watched the surfers and the sunset. The restaurant is called Sparks Woodfire Cooking. They evidently cook everything on woodfire. It was sooo good, I had Mahi Mahi with an apricot sauce (it was grilled). They have a huge firepit in the restaurant so you can sit outside and not freeze (hey, that ocean breeze is cold at night). So we ate and hashed out our life plans. I will be going back in mid Feb, proly the 20th to look for an apartment and get the kids into school. We have never lived in an apartment before. Understand this, my hubby is a country guy and we got a trailer when we got married and put it on a piece of land so we were never renters back in the day. Then we went from a trailer to our house we are selling. It is a wierd transitional thing going on here but hey, whatever. That's the point I'm at.
Today a friend called from "the bus garage" and is happy to hear I'm coming back. She says I have not lost my seniority or my bus run which is good news. She is on the commitee (like a union) and said it was discussed already. This is contrary to what my boss told me, she said I lost my seniority and run. But I have a contract so...
The thing is I am now not so sure I will be going back there. It is kinda surprising to hear from them they missed me and are "thrilled" I'm coming back, I figure I'm just a nobody there, doing my thing. Now I am feeling sooo conflicted. I felt at peace last night like ok, we are doing this thing and then Kimmi called and I feel really sad now. I do not like to disappoint people, and I didn't think I would. Oh hell, they'll get over it. Isn't that what I should tell myself? I am an unstable person. Really. Like I said before, get me the guys from Queer Eye and they could organize my life for me and tell me what to do and that'd be fine w/me at this point. Where is Carson when I need him? Oh yeah, they like guys, thats right. Damn.

Sleepless in the O.C.

2006-01-27T08:25:00.000-08:00

Last night I could not sleep. All these random thought bubbles popping up, question marks, so I made lists. Then I knit 12 inches of a sleeve (size 15 needles, chunky yarn) once my eyeballs were burning sufficiently I toddled off to bed at 1am. Oy! The alarm went off at 6, and before I could finish saying "hit the snooze" DH had turned off the alarm. Time to make the Starbucks. Yesterdays' post was a prescription for PMS, totally. Cheetos, Chocolate, pizza, wine... But mentally I am better. We still don't know what to do, but at least I am not under the table rocking.

Monday I am going up to Hollywood w/a friend because we heard that Samuel L. Jackson is putting his handprints in cement in front of Manns' Theater (the old Graumanns' Chinese Theater). I am not a huge fan or anything, but you never know who else you might see while you are there. Plus probably my last chance to get up to Hollywood again before I have to leave for NY.

Later today I am going to the pier to the Farmers Market. I love going there because there are all kinds of cool artisans (not just cutesy crafts) and produce. There are these 2 women who knit lace shawls and they are beautiful. And handmade jewelry. I just like to look and soak up the creative vibes. I also have to go to Costa Mesa to pick up DH because its time for his bikes first oil change and service at the shop.

Later on, hopefully tonight I will post pics of my latest creations. I need help so I can model my sweater and little Noro hat. Peace Out Ev'rybody!

Aye Carrumba!

2006-01-26T16:13:00.000-08:00

My life has more twists and turns in it this week than...what? I haven't even a comparison. I am almost speechless. Ok, since my earlier post today, I took a nice nap. Ate some Crunchy Cheetos, bought some dark chocolate. Shared frozen pizza with my son. Also shared cheetos with Mini. Took #3 Son to guitar lessons. Bought yarn, and a 'nice little' Cabernet Sauvignon to go with the steaks for dinner. Sounds like pretty standard fare - except for the Cheeto festival. In the middle of the Cheeto festival, our realtor from NY called and said we got an offer on our house. A decent one. OK, now what? If we accept, we go back to what? We have good reasons for wanting to sell it even though we are moving back to NY soon. I am getting sick of being blindsided lately. 2 months ago I woulda' jumped for joy, now I want to hide under the table and rock.

Wanna know what I bought yarn for? Another shrug. I decided I should have a nice brown one (with subtle flecks of green and other stuff) with the modifications I wanted on the white one. Longer sleeves and make the ribbing wider--for my pleasure--of course. That is getting to be a tired knitters joke, isn't it? And yet I couldn't resist.

Tomorrow is another day. I know we are capable of making these decisions and getting through the changes. I think we are afraid of making the wrong decision, it's not like you can undo selling your house. Like I said, tomorrow is another day. Pass the Cheetos, please.

2006-01-26T08:28:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe I have to start packing to leave paradise. Actually, the movers will pack. I will stress, 'cause I am sooo good at it. In fact, my teeth hurt today and I keep catching myself clenching my them. I know I will get through this move somehow but right now I feel overwhelmed. I look around the house and can't believe we are moving again...only 6 months here.

It is a beautiful day, as always in paradise. I need to get to the beach, and I think since nothing vital is going on later we will take a walk at the pier. I just really feel numb today. I can't focus and I just want to go to sleep. I feel like depression is trying to get a grip on me again. I want to just give in to the sleep. I may as well since I am being unproductive anyway. I bargain with myself and figure if I take a half hour nap, then I must work at my desk. If I am a good girl and get something done then I deserve to go to the pier tonight. Right?

I know this is a real bummer post today, but it's my blog and this is me. No use faking it.

BTW

2006-01-25T18:50:00.000-08:00

By the way...my neice, my only neice (we make lots of boys in my family) has a blog now...Littlemisslindseed.blogspot.com. I love her, she is cool, she knits too. Check it out.

2006-01-25T08:05:00.000-08:00

It is Wednesday already, I can't believe it. One of my resolutions this year is to read old books, classics that I should have read years ago. So the other day I was at B&N and they have a rack of classics for $5.95. I purchased Lady Chatterleys' Lover--gasp! It is set in England post WW 1. This book has a racy reputation and it is, but it is really not about that, it is more about human nature and motive behind actions and thoughts. One of my other resolutions is to learn new stitches this year. First one being the cable stitch. I don't see myself ever getting into lace knitting because it involves keeping track of too much and that is not my forte. Challenge is good, but if I need a stiff drink to plunge into a project, forget it. (Not that wine and knitting don't go well together..) This year is more about enriching my life and knowledge of -- whatever-- and less about beating myself up over habits and vices. Health is a priority for me and should be not just in January.

And in other news: I guess it is final. We are going back to NY by the end of February. Well happy freakin' b-day to ME ! There is a family issue I need to take care of at the end of Feb. anyway. Good thing I didn't buy the Aerosmith tickets like I wanted to. (At the Pond in Anaheim--Steven Tyler...oh well.)

I am back at my striped sock. Weaving the ends in as I go along on the second sock very good idea. Soon to come... pictures of my shrug, the striped sox and the Noro hat. I might even wear it. If I dare show my" not a hat face".

Weekend update, whooohooo!

2006-01-23T09:27:00.001-08:00

The weekend didn't go as I quite planned. I got through the grocery shopping just barely because half way through I started getting a migrane. That pretty much shot the rest of my day. Sunday was great and I watched the games and knit up that shrug. I love the shrug, the only thing I would change is I want the sleeves longer. So I think I will pick up stitches and make them longer. They are 3/4 length sleeves that are supposed to roll up but when I do that it looks too bulky. As for the games yesterday I called them both. My pick for the Superbowl is Seattle. I love the Steelers, but I think they will have too many penalties and just break my heart. The Seahawks don't get sloppy like that. There is a thing at work in Seattle I like to call the" Holmgren affect." He brought Seattle out of many years of being in a slump. Notice who is in a slump now (Greenbay). And it is a big mistake to blame it all on an "ageing" Brett Favre. Sure Brett has been around a while but he still has a lot of fire left in him. This is one chicks opinion. Just sayin'. So who will I pull for? Probably the Steelers, even though I think they will just break my little ole' heart.

One football season I decided I was gonna make my picks a different way. I went by the team logo or mascot to determine the winner. Example: The Jets vs. the Eagles. With my logic ( I use that term loosely) the Jets win because a jet is a very powerful engine that frequently sucks up birds and chews them into bits and spews them out. Hey, its not a surefire way to pick, but it was fun. Especially when I won. And I did. It drove my brother-in-law, Dave nuts. We used to watch together alot and he would just shake his head at me. He would say things like "what about point spread." Point spread, schmoint spread. Or the fact that a team was undefeated? Nope, it all had to do with the mascot. You wanna drive a man crazy? Try it sometime and then sit back and watch the fun begin.

It is freakin' windy today. The nice part about the wind is it blows the smog away and you can see the mountains. It's really a beautiful day. The bad part is the wild fires. Hopefully this will be over by tomorrow night as the weather geeks predict. Well, peace out ya'll.

Wish I could stick it to "The Man"

2006-01-21T11:54:00.000-08:00

Once again, my plans for fun have been foiled by "The Man". The Man in this instance is a boss of hubby dearests' who doesn't sign expense reports in a timely fashion. There are many things I could express on this subject but are not a good idea to put in print. This is our ongoing frustration with living out here. See, The Man pays many of our living expenses out here but we also maintain a house in NY. After a while everything comes to a grinding halt when The Man is @%#$&** slow with his signature. Thats all it takes. His freakin' name. How long does it take to write "The Man" ? Seriously. The good news is that the games are all Sunday and I can knit and watch guiltfree all day. So I will have to figure out an alternative to what I wanted to do today. A walk at the beach is cheap (gotta pay parking). Housework is also an activity for the day. Grocery shopping, whoooohooo! And of course I have a few WIPS going. A crazy cool sock, and ipod cozy (everyone should keep their ipod cozy) and the shrug. I got the size 15 Addi turbos so I am good to go to do the shrug. You know I will work on the shrug to the point of obsession and ignore the other WIPS, Knitting with the turbos is almost as good as sex. You just don't want to stop until you are completely spent. Well I guess its time to do a little of the howssweerrrk so I can get on with my day. Peace Out!

Friday, Glorious Friday

2006-01-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

The sun is just glorious this morning! It is a cool 41 degrees but the sky is clear. I have been out saluting the sun and checking the garden. We planted lettuces, beets, herbs (the legal variety) and some pansies and violas. We have tomatoes also. I want to put in some onion sets too. I hope we stay long enough to eat our produce. Still no news on a February move. It's getting a little late for them to pull that off, unless they take him home and leave us here to move alone. Whatever.

I started my shrug last night and is it ever easy. I have the back and front completed already and I would have started a sleeve but I need 15 circs. in a length longer than they sold at my lys here. So I will have to go to Longbeach to get that. I should be wearing this by the end of the weekend.

I feel restless and I think we need to take a little roadtrip tomorrow. Yes, I realize it's the playoffs and all but if I stay home one more weekend in front of the tv I will loose my mind. And I think it is time to go out to eat and see something like a band or show. I don't know if that will happen, but I feel like dressing up and getting out. I hope where ever you are today the sun is shining and you feel as great as I do today. Peace Out!

Nip/Tuck

2006-01-19T18:41:00.000-08:00

I felt like it was time for a change. Lastnight I all of a sudden noticed " Holy crap is this thing ever pink!" Time for a facelift, a little nip/tuck if you will. I'm over my pink phase.

Today I cast on a shrug for myself. It is a pattern from Knit It! magazine and is called the Fisherman Shrug. This one is more than a shoulder warmer, it goes down the back a little and has some bulk to it. And it looks very easy. I just want to knock out something new to wear that won't take long or stress me out. I want to be able to knit and wine at the same time. Better make it Chardonnay because this sweater is off white. Of course then I need to get a new cami to wear with it. Better make that 2.

Honor roll good/Truancy bad

2006-01-18T22:48:00.000-08:00

This is my life. The events are real. Names are withheld to protect the guilty and the innocent. In one day I had one child make honor roll, and I get a notice of truancy on another child. Now out here in CA, they take truancy very seriously. (Good thing they didn't in NY...) (talkin' about myself). OK, they have actual sections of the law with numbers and .'s so you can go look it up for yourself if you don't believe them. It seems my little angel got annoyed with a teacher so he left. Decided his day of instruction was over. Wonder where he got that behavior from. So back to the law, if he is truant again, I could be arrested and fined $500, and he could get a fine and community service and many other bad things. So I read him the letter and my own personal riot act, which gets weaker as time goes by because they are really beginning to wear me down.

I have just been informed its time for bed. I must go, for another day is coming and who knows what will arrive in the mail addressed to the Parent/Guardian of_______.

It's a Whale of a tail and muffins too...

2006-01-17T14:16:00.000-08:00

I had a good laugh today watching the news. On CNN it was reported there are some new phrases to add to our vocabularies. Whaletail: when the little triangle top of some chicks thong is showing over her pants. (Because her pants are barely covering her ass.) Hey, I wear lowriders too, but for crying out loud it was bad enough seeing guys boxers-sometimes layers of them or plumbers crack but now the girls are getting in on the act. It is not sexy, girls. It is tres' tacky. One time I was having a few drinks with my hubby before dinner at Red Lobster. So we're at the bar and this chicky is on what looks like a first date and there is her ass crack, about 2 inches of it. So I "crack up" 'cause I had a couple Cosmos in me and start saying things not so quietly like "Can't she feel the airconditioning going down her pants?" And "for godsakes would she just pull up her pants!?" My husband is now laughing and shusshing me. Well, she either felt the breeze or I shamed her into adjusting her pants. She shot me a little look and I smiled. I don't care. I don't need to see asscrack or whaletail while I am having a cosmo and hot artichoke dip. Ok, next phrase is Muffintop: when you are wearing a shirt that is short and lowriders (maybe you even have a little whaletail going on, but I digress) and you got the tummy/lovehandle thing happening and its bulging out over your pants like the top of a muffin. That's a good one. Good visual. I have been guilty of the Muffintop, I admit. Actually, mine is more of a biscuit than a full blown muffin top. I try not to but they make shirts so freakin' short anymore. Or you get the right size and it shrinks even in cold water wash. I swear. I want to know, have fashion designers left their studios lately and walked down Main St. USA and seen the fashion atrocities being committed daily??? And here is one I will never get, being a New Yorker, I know boots are made for walkin' and fleece boots are made for SNOW. What is with the mini skirts together with UGGS in Southern California? It's 70 freakin degrees here and you see it everywhere. At the boardwalk, in the mall, schools. All I can think of is the collective stink that arises as boots are kicked off in the evening all over So. Cal. I say, set the little pigs free. I used to have fleece slippers and even in winter in NYS my little pigs were sweaty.

I realize that was all a little wierd, but its been brewing for a long time and I feel better for getting it off my chest.

Now in Knitting News: I made a hat for me out of the Noro. I know, but it begged me to do it. I am sooo in love with Noro. I want to make many many things with Noro. And not give them away. I don't care if I have a hat face or not. I love my little Noro hat.

Hey, Hat Face!

2006-01-15T16:32:00.000-08:00

I did a little retail therapy at the lys the other day and got some new stuff. I've been feeling up the Noro for weeks now and I finally bought some thinking I will make a hat for myself. But ya know what? I look really stupid in hats. I love to make them, I just don't have a hat face. I made Justin a new hat yesterday while watching gross amounts of the football. Its a ribbed hat, no fancies, earflaps or anything. I am itching to do an earflap hat with the braids and snowflakes and pom-poms. And then I would give it away because once I finish I would put it on in excitement and see once again that I do not have a hat face. Why is that? How do you not have a hat face? It doesn't make any sense to me but when confronted in the mirror with my image it is true. Why do some people look great in a hat, any hat? Maybe I just haven't found the right one for me...maybe the earflap job with the snowflakes will be just the ticket. I think what I will really do is get more Noro and make me a sweater. Yep. My face looks good in sweaters.

I am the "Dancing Queen" !!!!!

2006-01-12T22:01:00.000-08:00

I recently got an ipod, and I think I am in love. My music taste is very eclectic. I have songs I love because they made me smile when I was 15. I used to sing into a hairbrush and dance in my mirror listening to Abba. I also like the Blackeyed Peas. And everything in between. I still dance around the house. I have missed my music since my cd player died on the stereo. The boys have cd players but they are bulky for housework etc. when I usually dance around. It never quite worked out. Well I got Matt (my 12 yr old) and ipod for Christmas and I was hooked. I like to knit to the Grateful Dead. Or Sheryl Crow, or Rod Stewart. I walk to Aerosmith and U2. I have missed my music for a long time now and am so glad I got my grooves back. I have to have a soundtrack for my life. Thats just the way I roll. Music defines periods of my life. I love Sinatra, Big Band, B.B. King, Patsy Cline, Eric Clapton, A/C D/C. I am all over the place. Oh, and if you live in Cali, how do you not listen to the Beach Boys and the Doors? (If you are 40 ish) (My boys do, but they have very good taste musically) There is nothing (to me anyways) like driving up the PCH listening to the Doors.

About my mood yesterday, I had another rough one today. I hate living in limbo. I soothed myself tonight by watching "That '70's Show" and sippin' some wine. ipod during commercials and a knitting mag. Plus I am stressing about Mikes' college stuff. I don't know if it's gonna work this semester. Thank God for good friends and good wine. I lean heavily upon both lately. I expect to live in limbo for a while. I love a good adventure, but when you have kids its nice to have a plan, a heads up. Corporate America does not get that. They just drop their little bomb. Hey, but I luv that paycheck that Dan gets from corporate America. Don't get me wrong. It is way better than the broke and uninsured days or olde. I did say I like a good adventure and if it is only for these few short months I will treasure my time in Cali forever. It will be my "happy place" I go to when winter is too long and cold in NY.

Gone to Hell in a Knitting Basket

2006-01-11T11:57:00.000-08:00

Today I am Charlie Brown, and Lucy just yanked the football away. And to further accentuate my mood, you will notice I am typing in a bilous green today. I feel SHITTAY! Ya wanna know why? I was sat down last night and told that we are probably moving back to Hell, AKA Binghamton, NY by mid February. Ok, I knew we were going back, but that wasn't supposed to be until like August. I have barely recovered from our move out here. I love every morning. When I wake up I salute the sun with a coffee in my jammies. I take walks with Mini the wonderdog, I see the ocean, smell the salt in the air. When I get back to Hell, I will be smelling raw crap from the antiquated sewage treatment plant...oh joy.

Color change, I almost gagged a moment ago. So in order to get my brain wrapped around that news last night, I got my hiney down to Ralphs', got me some wine, (Pinot Grigio), strapped on my ipod and went into a knitting trance. My sock is posolutely good enough to eat. I knitted and sipped myself into a striped sock coma. I think I shall take more of that cure this evening. Striped sock- The Sequel.

Middle age Ninja

2006-01-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

Yep, he got his bike. It's so cool, it almost-almost makes me want to learn to ride too. Dan had a bike, and back in 1991 when he graduated from college, we were broke and the electric co. was gonna shut us off. So we cleaned out our shed and had a huge yard sale. It was good stuff too, like a claw foot bathtub I got at an auction to put in my dream bathroom, my compound bow (yes, I like to shoot a bow) some of Dans' guns, tools. And his motorcycle. I sold it cheap to this toothless scarry guy who intimidated me. Actually, he frightened me. So he never thought he would have another bike because after all we are responsible parents with a mortgage and all. So I'm happy because he's happy.

And in knitting news: My progress on the sock is great. I love that sock and I may have a hard time parting with it. I gotta stop making things that I want to wear for other people! Peace Out, ya'll!

My little rant, and sox too....

2006-01-06T09:54:00.000-08:00

I realize that the State of New York and the DMV in particular does its best to thwart the efforts of the citizens to make transactions in a timely manner. This time however, I won. Yes I did. I was able to sell my van yesterday and I feel fabulous. I think mostly because I conquered the DMV. And they aren't gonna get that extra $20 out of me for a cleared title. It's just the principal of the thing, all the retaxing of used vehicles, fees for every scrap of paper they say is necessary... echhh. OK, done with that rant.

I am also thrilled to report I have got my knit together again. I started a new pair of sox last night, striped pink, green and white. Think very bright, almost edible, and I keep stopping to admire the striping and forget to knit.

Well, the sun is sunny, its warm-like gonna be 80. Yesterday was downright hot...over 80 I'm sure. And it's January. I love it. Wherever you are today, I hope you are having a great day, get some tea, or wine, needles and yarn and knit yourself something bright and happy. Peace Out!

On Hold With the DMV

2006-01-05T10:35:00.000-08:00

I am in "Hold Hell" this morning trying to get through to the NYS DMV. See, I'm selling my shaggin'wagon and because nothing is simple I could not find my original title. In my nice, neat file I have the titles to 2 vehicles I do not own anymore and a letter from Chrysler stating that I paid off the van. So, I started calling DMV to request a new title. I thought for some odd reason that the title I would receive would not show a lien. Oh, foolish woman that I am! I had them Fed/Ex me the title and now I have been on hold w/DMV to find out what in the hell I have to do...more freakin' phone calls I'm sure...to get a clear title so I can sell the van and so Dan can pick up his NINJA. I would like to go bang my head on a wall for a while.

OK, I just got done talking with a live person, who was surprisingly pleasant. Now I have to call Daimler Chrysler and request a letter from them. I still want to bang my head on a wall. But I won't because my hair looks like Meg Ryans' today (when she was in short hair mode). And I like it.

What is wrong with me????

2006-01-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

I just want to say I think I sounded a little crazy in my last post. When I go back and read what I've written the next day usually I don't feel that way. Maybe it's my lack of sleep. 3 nights with about 3 hours of interrupted sleep. I think I will go to the doctor if this continues. I am a worthless zombie this morning. I can't even type in color. I don't feel like shopping today. No little trip to the mall in Newport. Thats ok. Ryan wants me to go to the park today and I think I will ride my bike with him.

Dan is getting his motorcycle soon. He put money down on a Kawasaki Ninja, just like the one my oldest son Michael has. Now I can worry about the both of them... I reminded Dan that I am a cool wife to "let" him get the motorcycle, and he said "let me?" "You were the one who told me to do it" Yeah, but I know quite a few women who would have a fit about the motorcycle thing. I actually wondered if something is wrong with me because it doesn't bother me like it does other women. Maybe I am just a cool wife. It's a nicer way to think of myself.

It's VEEEEERy Laaaaate

2006-01-03T23:30:00.000-08:00

It's no secret I enjoy alcohol. I won't even lie about the moderation thing, after all I have a bunch of kids... so any how the last few nights I cannot sleep. I mean its getting to be 3:00 and I get up from the tossing and turning and watch the QVC and stuff. So tonight I have a significant buzz on. Not drunk mind you. Just the sweet spot. Some kids are asleep and some are playing video games with the neighbor kid who sleeps over because he likes our food. I don't think he eats except for at my house. Breakfast on school days, and on not school days he raids my pantry. I can't figure out why I can't sleep lately. I am wide awake thinking about all these random things. (QVC in the backround...genuine blue topaz...blah blah blah) Even worse, sometimes I call friends when I feel this way. I did tonight. I am glad he tolerated me.

Here is a funny thing only to me I'm sure, my PARENTS like "Dog the Bounty Hunter. " OMG! I watch that and the family gets mad at me. But the 'rents watching that... a mind bender. Next thing ya know they'll be watchin' Queer Eye...

So tomorrow I feel like I need some retail therapy. I took Jessica to Newport to Fashion Island Mall and I reallllly waannnt to go baaaack. REEEEallly. I have no money. I just want to feel up some nice stuff. You know. Then I want to go get some yarn which I do have the money for. That mall has designer stores, like the kind you read about in Glamour, and Lucky etc. Betsy Johnson for instance. Being from Binghamton, this is a big deal to me. I am such a redneck in the BIG CITY.

I have a knitting confession to make. I have one more pair of socks to make for Christmas- yes it way past but thats besides the point-and I can't stand the thought of it. I want to send 2 pairs to my bus driving buddies in NY and one pair is done and now I need to do the other pair. I fear I have burned myself out. I've been working on socks since October. Frightening, isn't it? Well, my friends in NY need them because driving a bus in NY in the winter really sucks. So I better get my attitude right. Maybe by the weekend I will feel more like it. After all, winter lasts till May in NY....LOL. No, it really does. 3 years ago I had ice on my patio in May. No freakin' joke.

A door opens. I hear a tv. Now feet. It is the sound of boys forageing for food after being in a Playstation trance. They have already eaten all the food. They will inform me in the morning that we need food. "MOOOOM there's no FOOD in the HOUSE!!!!" No S@#t Sherlock. Ya' ate it all!

Well, I guess it's time to put on my jammies, brush my teethies, and try to sleep. Yeah right. I'll be back. Except this time I will be reading blogs instead of writing....Peace, Love and Knitting...

All U Need is Wool

2006-01-02T12:01:00.000-08:00

Ok, it's not always sunny in So. Cal. Today is gloomy, rainy and windy which reminds me of a typical day in Bingo-town, NY. So this is winter... hmm. Tolerable. Afterall, I have tolerated this type of weather most of my 41 years.

I am itching to buy yarn. I tore up my stash, which is really pathetic. I have alot of acrylic . Alot. From my early knitting days. These days I buy yarn and I knit it. I want to make a baby sweater as a gift for a friend. Then my sister told me she wanted me to make 2 baby sweaters for her new nieces. I need something new to do and a teeny tiny widdle sweater fits the bill for me. I love to make things for other people. Wool is Love.

I have been doing some thinking about the whole j o b thing, and have decided that maybe I should go to school as I have been threatening to do for a long time now. I just can't bear the thought of doing a job teenagers do at 41. And being paid as a teenager. Unless I was destitute, which I am not. So I can afford to be a little choosy. I need computer classes for one thing and thats a great place to start. So thats my new thought. Stay tuned...thoughts subject to change. After all, I am a woman.

Happy New Year!

2006-01-01T17:38:00.000-08:00

May 2006 be filled with Peace, Love and an overflowing Yarn Stash!

More guilty pleasure

2005-12-28T11:17:00.000-08:00

Wow, I watched the whole marathon yesterday. I did do other things, I'm not a total couch potato. But the best was saved for the last 2 episodes last night. They got a guy ready to propose to his girlfriend of 10 years. Then they did the wedding. The guy wasn't the usual ones that need a head to toe makeover, and they were an adorable couple and the wedding was beautiful....Sometimes I think I need a team of gay guys to makeover my life. Just come in and ransack the place and buy me designer clothes, new furniture. Thats a fantasy.

On the knitting front and in the real world.... I am still making socks. I have a number of special requests from family so I need a little side project to cleanse my knitters palette. Maybe I will pull out my "Mud Flap Girl" tank now. Prolly a good idea before I go off my nut. I hope to get into a local snb soon. I found out about a few so now I just need to escape.

And in the real world... I have decided I need a job. With Mike going to college I must work. My hubby prefers to have me home, but the finances do not allow. I have also decided to sell the shaggin' wagon and Dan will get a used motorcycle. I am also considering going to school myself because I loathe being a 41yr. old minimum wage earner. And I have alot of working years left. Yep. I've been making decisions left and right here. Soon enough another year will pass and I don't want to spend another one scratching my head and not having done anything different. So Peace Out my knitting and otherwise friends...and an early Happy New Year to ya'll!

My guilty pleasure afternoon

2005-12-27T15:02:00.000-08:00

He looo, it's a Queer Eye Marathon this afternoon! All things do keep getting better. I love those guys, they are t h e best. Just sayin, go watch Bravo today.

Festivus and Hollywood

2005-12-24T08:44:00.000-08:00

Remember how I was talking about celebrating Festivus? I even have a pole in the back yard (broken skateboard rail). Well, we went to Hollywood yesterday with the boys and Mike and Jess instead. I took pictures of my favorite stars on the walk of fame. I took a picture in the distance of the HOLLYWOOD sign. So we walked up and down Hollywood Blvd. and nobody was impressed. I think we need to go to Rodeo Dr. next time, or take one of those bus tours. The boys said "Manhattan is better, and cleaner." As I travel, I appreciate all the new, different sights. But, I do heart NY. Oh, yeah, back to Festivus. We didn't do it. We have had a great holiday season so far and there just was no need to blow off steam. I think this is the best Christmas I have ever had. Seriously. No running around doing what other people want you to, just doing what we want. The last year was an incredibly stressful Christmas for me, due largely to a family situation that has never been easy and has only been getting worse. This year there are no expectations to go down the toilet, no rejections, no hurt feelings and having to explain to my boys why mom is crying. Last year was so bad, that I said to Dan that I did not want to be home for Christmas anymore. From now on I wanted to leave town for it. Not knowing that this opportunity to move to the OC was coming. Well from my lips to Gods' ears. Do I miss my loved ones in NY? Of course. But the mental and emotional break for me is well wort

I am too an adult!!! or " I did it my way"

2005-12-20T10:01:00.000-08:00

As I was sitting in my favorite knitting spot, finishing up the "manly scarf", I was pondering my many blessings in life. The main ones being my children. My boys aren't perfect. They are not all straight A students, they enjoy crude humor (partially my fault), are sloppy, and other things for which I have had my parenting abilities scrutinized. But one thing that I have always wanted, prayed for with my children is that they would love eachother. I have seen this more and more since we have moved to Cali. from NY and family and friends. This move has brought our little nuclear family closer together and made us appreciate eachother more. This has been a very good thing. My husband and I made a difficult decision to make a temporary move and leave our comfort zone. It is the adventure of a lifetime for me. And my boys, although they miss NY, do enjoy it here. They are having fun, learning about a different part of the US and learning to appreciate eachother. Sometimes people don't understand why you do things, and so they criticize what they don't get. It makes me sad when I hear through the grapevine these narrowminded criticisms. I know some of these people miss us. And we miss them too. Its as if people think we did a bad thing. I am weary of always feeling like I have to remind people, "we are 41 years old. We are adults and can make our own decisions. We do not appreciate the negative vibes, thank-you-very-much!" It is actually a relief to me to be away from these negative nellies. I am so very much enjoying my first truly independant Christmas/Holiday season . We are surrounded by our sons, and doing it our way.

Yeah, Yeah, its MIKEY DAY!!!!

2005-12-17T13:25:00.000-08:00

My oldest son is on his way with his girlfriend, Jessica! In 2 hours they will be here!!! He is gonna love California. I'm cooking a roast for dinner and the tree is up and lit, and I'm just sooo excited.

I worked on the Adam Camo sweater yesterday. It was a day of swatching, trying a different needle, starting and then ripping back 3 times. Its the yarn. It sucks. It has no bulk, and its, well, its acrylic. It feels like dragging my nails on a chalkboard. Or eating icecream off one of those wooden spoons. Ghhuhhhuuck! Shiver! Bluck! Yecchy! More shivering. Even on Addi turbos, it gives me the shivers. I don't think I can do it. It is gunna be too fugly. Thats right, I said FUGLY. I reserve that word only for the worst of the worst. Like the Pontiac Aztec. Now thats a fugly car. No offense to any owners out there, just my opinion. I'm sure you are a nice person and all, you just own a fugly car.

I was cleaning my bathroom earlier with Clorox cleanup and now I'm seeing flashing lights. I wonder if its a migrane coming or too many fumes? Thats the only thing that really kills the pee smell from the son or sons with the really bad aim. This too shall pass, right? Before I know it, they will be all grown up and leaving the seat up and pee-ing all over their own bathrooms. I will look back and laugh, right? Well, maybe.

Other knitting news. I finished a gorgeous ribbed scarf for my father. I dare him not to love it. Its a manly scarf. It's a classic in a charcoal grey with slight flecks of red and yellow. Yep, I dare him not to love it. I will keep y'all posted on that one...

I'd rather be blogging

2005-12-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

That pretty much sums it all up. I do not feel like being responsible today. It's Wednesday and thus far this week I have been a very good girl. I have even set aside knitting (gasp) to organize and do paayperrwerk. But, the Christmas cookies will not get baked with that attitude, missy! And, as I have discovered after years of employing the scientific method, the laundry does not put itself away. Damn! And whats with the people in this house? Always with the "I'm hungry", "what's for dinner?" and my personal favorite "there's no food in the house." Translated: " there are no more Poptarts, chips, soda, or chocolate in the house, now fetch!"

I am also a bit depressed. Even though I am using this sunny color today, do not be fooled. It is only masking an underlying depression. My favorite 15-and a half year-old is fffffffaiiiiling everything. Yes, he is. We have done all the meetings with all the school people. I have begged, bribed, pleaded, grounded, cried and plied any other method known to parents on this child. My only conclusion can be that this brilliant (yes, he is) young man does not give a shit. He really does not. He was not behaving the least bit affected by the fffffff's on the report card. Took it in stride. I asked him "how do you feel about this, aren't you upset or stressed?" "Uhhh, nope." was the reply. It's no wonder I like to tip the bottle a bit.

Speaking of my vices, the not smoking thing is going sooo much better. I have cut down to 3 yesterday. And I am able to delay my a.m. smoke until after 9. Progress. I rewarded myself by tucking away my not smoking savings in a corner of my wallet. Then I got a little bit of yarn yesterday and some new Lantern Moon needles in a size I don't already have. I then started to knit a scarf for my father for Christmas. I have been dreading making/buying something for him because he always finds fault with it, wants to return it etc. And this from a man who actually requested deoderant for Christmas one year. My latest failure was those Trekker things you put on your shoes so you don't slip on the ice. He is accident prone, he is 79, and I swear he looks for the icy patches to try to defy them. Well, he read the directions which state do not walk indoors while wearing. This stressed him out because he would have to take literally 3 steps to the back door in them. He insisted I return them. I refused. I don't keep receipts, thats paayperweerk and responsible. I told them to just give the Trekkers away to someone at church. I have this stubborn gene, I just can't seem to quit no matter how angry or hurt he makes me. I'm gonna get it right sometime, damn it! I know I never will, deep down. But it would be nice some time to just get it right.

Confessional

2005-12-14T10:19:00.000-08:00

"Bless me father, for I have sinned." "What is your sin, my daughter?" "I have been seduced by the bright colors and textures of novelty yarns." "You have learned your lesson, then?" "Yes!" "Then go to your LYS and partake only of the natural fibers of your forefathers. Go, and sin no more!"

Last year, I spent precious time and money on novelty yarns. Yes, they are fun. The problem is they are just that, a novelty. Down the road, we will look at our many fun fur scarves, trimmed hats and other foofery and would not be caught dead in any of it. I was looking at a skein of some Dale of Norway wool blend Siska and I had my epiphany. It was the same price a skein as the novelty yarns. Maybe the answer really is moderation. Make sure you get plenty of natural fibers in your stash, and an occasionl novelty yarn. Much like the occasional cocktail.

Maybe I sound a little extreem to some. Its kinda like eating too much candy and then getting sick. You just don't care for any candy for a while after that.

FAFSA SMAFSA

2005-12-09T17:24:00.000-08:00

So today I continued to forge ahead in my paperwork. I'm doing my sons' financial aide forms on the computer and I keep running into little problems. Like it wouldn't give me my pin #, then it kept telling me I put the wrong info in when I KNEW it was right. So I tried the live on line help thing which after an hour waiting (don't worry, I worked on a sock) it miraculously started working without ever getting the help. Go figure. Now I need to get ahold of my son for some vital info. Nothing is ever simple. Whatever. I thought doing this online would save time, but sometimes I wonder if old fashioned paper would have been faster.

Working on another sock. This one is sherbet colors. I think I will keep a pair of this color for moi. This weekend will not have alot of knitting time, as I am going to bake Christmas cookies. I am exchanging with another chick so we can mix it up a little bit. I think I'm making spritz cookies and rum balls. My friends mother always made rum balls and I havent had them in years. Sound good? Then ya gotta have frosted sugar cookies. I mean, ya gotta. So tomorrow is getting the tree and decorating, and then baking. FAFSA forms while they bake and cool maybe, or a round or 3 on a sock. Have a great weekend, peace, love, and knitting!

PICS!

2005-12-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

Scroll down and see added pics I added to a previous post. Because, just because.

I wish I was a Crissy doll...

2005-12-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

I cut my hair today. By myself. It was a move of desperation. As a hairdresser, I can do this but I do not recommend this to the general public. So what happened is I have had 2 BAAAD haircuts in a row. I'm talking uneven to the point of 2 inch difference between front and back. She clearly missed the class on blending. I am in search of a new hairdresser in CA and now I am terrified to try again. So I lived with the last hc for 3 weeks now because I figured I should let it grow a little before the next try. I reached critical mass with the bad hair this morning. I decided I couldn't ruin what was already a disaster. I am pleased to say, I did an amazing job. I even love it. Its short again, but it will grow. These are the times I wish I was a Crissy doll with the hair that grows when you pull the pony tail. ( I always wanted one, maybe I should check e-bay. ) I almost want to do hair again. I do actually, I just don't want to keep the hours required. It's something to think about.

My superhuman knitting abilities

2005-12-08T08:09:00.000-08:00

Not smoking is not going well. I guess it depends on how you look at it. I have cheated a little, but I haven't given up completely. Well, I'm still trying.

As for my procrastination situation of the other day, I am still trying to forge my way through my list of to-do's for the week. I think that since I do some of my finest work under pressure, I sub-consciously force myself into the situation. I manage to pull it off somehow. Oh, who cares why I do it? I just wish I could either change (not likely) or learn to not feel guilty about the way I am. On the bright side, my superhuman ability to hyper-focus has enabled me to produce a sock a day. Yes, you read that right. I have gone from almost 2 weeks to knit a pair to one sock in just over 1 day. If it weren't for the kids, and hubby and the domestic duties they require I could probably almost do 2. But then, I may begin to look wild-eyed. Better not try it.

Adam sweater update: I decided to knit it in the inexpensive Red Heart Camo. print. Why? Because I will never get it done any other way. He will be thrilled just the same. The main thing is to make him happy. At least its not a boring yarn.

Mike and Jessica are coming in a week! So excited! He will love love LOVE it here. Especially the cars. Speaking of cars, I found a '65 Mustang in gorgeous condition, blue at a car lot yesterday. Fantasizing about trading in the shaggin' wagon for it. Just a thought.

willpower

2005-12-06T19:44:00.000-08:00

I managed to accomplish most of what I needed to today despite my restlessness. I needed to say that. I feel better now. Now I can finish another sock, and catch Nip/Tuck. And drink a little more wine.

road blocks on the pathway to procrastination

2005-12-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

OK, so I've been trying to really get on top of things I hate doing. Like paperwork. I start in with good intentions and then I can't bring up the pin # from the web site that I need to get started. UGGGH. So now I have to call some number for assistance. Blah, blah blah... It doesn't take much to trip me up. And now I have to figure out the new printer because my hubby has declared me a tech geek. So I read the directions....big deal...and I like to figure stuff out. Thats the rest of my job today. And if I don't do that, I can't finish some of my other paperwork which needs to be copied. Oh crap! I just don't feeeeel liiiike it. (note the whine in my typing) My inclination is to just do something different like...KNIT. At the beach. Yeah. But that would not be the responsible thing to do. My tan is suffering for all this responsibility crap.

Here is something new. I have quit smoking as of Saturday. I was so irritable over the weekend I didn't feel like posting. I wanted to rip peoples heads off. It was bad. And the anxiety was overwhelming at times. I think that was the reason I started smoking to begin with was the anxiety thing. So I knit and cleaned furiously over the weekend. In fact everything I did was furious. Also on Saturday I went to the Market Place at the OC fairgrounds. What fun! I got me a bag lady cart so I can haul my goodies everytime I go. And they have all kinds of food, produce and even beer and margaritas. Now thats the way to shop. I was thinking about decorating my cart with some knitted bling. Maybe weave some novelty yarn through the wiring. I will post that picture. Yeah, so I will be going back there. Good times.

kip'n at the orthopedist

2005-12-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

Justin was supposed to get a cast today, instead he had his bone re-broken and got a splint. We were there like all afternoon. Justin says it really hurts worse than the original break. I knew it looked twisted. Lesson learned (again) when they tell you in the er to make your apt. with the ortho. for 1 week, DON'T listen. Get the soonest available apt. you can. It wouldn't have been so bad if he got this done the next day. Now we are waiting for the pizza delivery guy like a pack of ravenous wolves.

By the way, for those who don't know... KIP means knitting in public.

MY FAVORITE THINGS 2005

2005-12-02T10:36:00.000-08:00

Oprah has her list, so here's mine...
1. Starbucks coffee, in any form. Consume daily as needed. Found on almost every streetcorner in California. I love this country!
2. Philosophy products. All of them. Look good, smell good, feel good.
3. Lantern Moon knitting needles. Made by women in a village in Vietnam. Proceeds benefit the village. They knit like buttah.
4. Del Taco Crispy Fish Tacos. Muy Bueno!
5. Hawaiian Sweet Onion Kettle Chips. Addictive!
6. In n Out Burgers and Fries. Fresh and Simple.
7. The movie March of the Penguins. I love penguins, and its fascinating if you watch shows like Natl. Geo. or Wild Kingdom, or Animal Planet. Only better because of Morgan Freeman's narration.
8. Birkenstocks. Especially when I only pay $39.95 a pair.
9. Maxx NY handbags. Quality without the exhorbitant pricetag of other designer brands.
10. Blogging.
11. Above all else KNITTING. In fact, every single thing on this list I can say I was either wearing, using, eating or watching while knitting at one point or another.

fini

Check it out!

2005-12-01T20:59:00.000-08:00

My brother in law has a very thought provoking blog. He is an artist, gamer, bmx'r and many other interesting things. Check it out, he's been at this for a few years or so. I really like the post about Earwax. It's http://mumbostar.blogspot.com. For me. You won't regret it.

I feel orange

2005-12-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

Each day I post I ask myself, "What color are you today?" I'm not sure what orange says. Ususally pink, blue or purple mean "I feel pretty." I feel warm now and I do believe it is the inexpensive French wine (chardonnay) in the very pretty bottle. Orange is a warm color. Here is another cool thing about Cali: wine and other booze in the grocery stores, drug stores and even the Dollar store! There is never a reason to be without an affordable alcoholic beverage in this state. In 5 minutes I was at Ralphs' gettn my pretty French wine. For $7.99. With my Ralphs' card.

Extreem disappointment to report. I was at my favorite LYS (local yarn store) this afternoon to price out making a very awesome sweater. Two hundred and fifty dollars American. Yes, you read that right. It's Merino. It's gorgeous. I would look fabulous in it. It will not happen. Walk away from the yarn.

My van is off the road. The engine light is on. Its been on for 4 months. I believe that is a bad sign. Right now, we have decided to take it off the road, go to one vehicle and let our son use the car in NY for college. So my dh (dear husband) is thinking about selling the van and getting a moped. 138 mpg. DH will drive the moped more than I. Our vehicle out here is a Hyundai Tuscon, little truck suv thing. I really like it. It's tight, feels good. Lotsa' giddyup. Drawback. It's that silver that every other thing on the road is except for the ones that are that champaign gold (like my van). Silver is worse though. I want my next car to be lime green or something. I need the help in the parking lot. Plus, did you ever notice that silver is almost invisible in the fog? It blends in with the road too. So he can drive the moped in the bike lane up to Long Beach on the PCH. I think he should borrow one first to see if it is a viable solution. Of course I am concerned he will get flattened on this thing. The older I get, the more I worry about these things. Actually, I feel like a motorcycle would be safer because I see people do stupid things in the bike lane.

I must go clean up my kitchen, so I can put on my jammies and knit for a little bit. Peace, Love, and Knitting ya'll.

Random observation

2005-11-30T11:56:00.000-08:00

The scene: My sons' bathroom. Me: Hmmm, yellow and blue do make green......

middle age badass wannabe

2005-11-30T10:07:00.000-08:00

I've got no complaints today whatsoever, so far. The sun is shining, I've had coffee on my patio in my jammies, I've knit a few rounds on my next sock, and LMAO (laughed my ass off) reading Crazy Aunt Purl. She is hilarious and I love her honesty. She just tells it like it is. Her post about Thanksgiving is hilarious. And the one about getting healthy is so true. She just quit smoking with the promise to herself to begin again at age 70. She figures she doesn't want to live so long as to end up in diapers so thats a good time to fire up again. Gotta agree. Somethings gotta kill ya. I went over the edge about 4 yrs ago and went from a smokes socially w/alcohol, to a daily smoker. And I do want to quit, every day. Part of the reason I started up again was this desire to do whatever the f*** I want to because I'm a big girl now, and if you don't like me anymore because I smoke, well, say hello to the tall man. Bad attitude? Yeah. But I'm sick of being a people pleaser. I got to a point I didn't really even know who I was anymore because I was busy being this chameleon. Most of my life has been spent trying to please one person or group of people. I lost my sense of self and I forgot how to dream. The other factor in taking up the habit full time was a bankruptcy. That'll do it. Nuff said. So the guilt of this habit eats at me daily. But that first one in the morning is sooo good. You know what I'm talkin' about, yeah you do, former and present smokers. I'm almost to the point where I'm over my middle age rebellion. I still need my tattoo. I did some piercings. The problem with the tatoo is aging well with one. I do not want it to go somewhere where it will either sag into an unrecognizable blob, or stretch like silly putty with a comic print on it. At 41, that cancels out the ass, boobs, tummy. And since I'm hardly Angelina Joli (sp) the arm is out. I'm thinking my ankle or foot. Feet stay pretty much the same, and I do have good legs. Or so I'm told. I know. I finally got it!!!! How about a flaming ball of yarn with knitting needles crossed through it. Maybe little skulls on the ends of the needles just for a little more badass attitude. On my right ankle over my 6 inch scar. Now thats badass. Well, I better go fluff up the house so it looks like I care...LOL. Peace, Love, Knitting !

KIP'N in the e.r.

2005-11-29T09:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterdays' post was rather large and I omitted a significant event from the weekend. My son Justin, the skateboarder, decided to jump off a large dumpster on skateboard Sunday night. The land did not go well and he broke his right arm. He walks in the door w/a friend and informs me I need to take him to the hospital RIGHT NOW. I take a peek, yep, its broke. The telltale bulging wrist was all I needed to see. He was in the car before I could grab the keys, but I did take the time to grab the knitting. I made great progress on the sock in the waiting room. Oh the things I could have knit in the e.r.'s over the years, had I known. I know the drill all too well with 4 boys. My oldest was the worst. I have literally lost count of the broken bones with him. No lie. And that isn't even counting his trips to the e.r. for non-bone stuff. Pneumonia, 2 week stays for Asthma and related virus. The cut open forehead. I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Oh, the things I could have knit!

I also left out yesterday how I am getting the stash home from my mother. We decided to ship it. That way, my mother in law can also send back whatever else we left behind, as I'm sure we did.

Yesterday I witnessed a sister in knitting doing her thing at a bus stop, so I gave her a shout out. "Whatcha' makin' ?" "Wristletts on DPN's". Knit on sista' friend.

I'm baaa-aack

2005-11-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

It's good to be back in So. Cal. Our trip to NY was great, Thanksgiving was great, great to see everybody. The weather was a brutal slap in the face. It was freakin' cold! We got some snow and ice and wind and slippery driving. I'm good now for another year. My youngest son, Ryan did some sled riding on Thanksgiving day. And hubby and 2 sons did some hunting. I got some yarn. Boy did I. I of course got some at my favorite LYS, but then when I visited my mother she gave me her whole yarn stash. A large garbage bag full. I told her I am sending it all back to her in the form of socks. There are a few unfinished projects to be frogged. Ryan likes to crochet so I told him he can pick out what he wants. He looses interest quickly, but he picks it up and works with me sometimes. We are going to make ornaments with some of the odds n ends.

Our flight home was packed of course. The ride was rather bumpy for a while. In fact, the bumpiest (a word?) I have ever flown on. Then there was somebody who brought on some eggrolls, and another individual who had really baad gas for the entire flight. The combination of all of the above made my stomach churn. I still feel yuck just thinking about it. It became a mental battle not to loose it. Normally, it's no problem to me.

I finished a pair of sox in NY and gave them promptly to my oldest son who works on a car lot detailing all day. He said they were WONDERFUL. It warmed my knitterly, motherly heart to hear that. I got another sock going and could be done tomorrow with it. I am a sock knitting crazy woman. This pair has a rolled cuff instead of the ribbed. Me LIKEY alot. I may keep these for me!

Has anybody read the blog about Festivus? Remember the Seinfeld episode where Frank Costanza had his own holiday, and it was about complaining, and cheapness and other crazy stuff? Well there is some guy with a blog about Festivus, which I think is great in and of itself except he is selling aluminum Festivus poles for $37.50! That is soooo anti-Festivus! The reason they had an aluminum pole was because Frank was too cheap to get a new tree and had the old shiny aluminum skeleton. I may even start to celebrate Festivus myself. I think the concept is great, you get all your complaining and general irritability out of the way on Dec. 23 and then you go into Christmas (or whatever for you others who do Chanukah or secular stuff). My big thing about Christmas is that it is about the birth of a Savior. Period. I enjoy holiday traditions, but sometimes I think we get too caught up in the rush and hub-bub to really enjoy. Maybe if people had a little Festivus to clear out the crap they could enjoy the real meaning of Christmas. I am hardly the grinch, I love to shop and give. It just seems like the pressure from the media gets bigger every year. That has me wanting to just pull in my family away from it all and do something different.

Well its time to watch Peyton Manning and the Colts. Love Monday Night Football!

In a New York State of mind.....

2005-11-21T07:03:00.000-08:00

We made it, and our flight was good. Very busy seeing everyone here. My week is almost totally booked. The boys have been having a great time catching up with friends and cousins. Thank God the weather is unusually nice. Sunny for 3 days now, don't know how much longer it will last! It's cold, but if the suns out, then its all good.

Did some KIPing on the plane, and finished a sock. I have started the second one. Time to do a different pattern cause this one is starting to bore me. I am going out and about today and so that means I need to hit the LYS because my suitcase was only at 43 pounds. I can theoretically fit in 7 pounds of yarn, right? I think that would be hilarious if I really did that, can you IMAGINE cramming it in the overstuffed suitcase? "But honey, it should fit, they said it only weighed 43 lbs."

Review

2005-11-17T19:07:00.000-08:00

Ok, I just want to gush about a knitting magazine. I have been reading Simply Knitting a mag from the UK and I simply love it. I love this months edition. There is a pattern by Debbie Bliss for a baby sweater, a chunky yarn roll edge "jumper" as the Britts call sweaters.

Another mag I love is Vogues Knit 1, geared to a trendy, hip knitter. The fun knitter, like you. This month is about guy knitters, and although it is not my favorite issue to date, it is still filled with goodies. What I like about it is projects are in Lion Brand yarns, which are found easily and are for the budget conscious. Of course you can substitute yarn, and the patterns are easy to follow. I am a bit of a yarn snob, but I also use Lion Brand. Depends on what it is. If its a hat my boys will loose anyway at school, I'm not spending more for the wonderful to touch stuff. My boys don't know the difference (yet) and could care less.

Camoflage sweater. Adam. one of my other sons, you know, the kid who becomes just like one of your own. I mean, just like. Anyway, last year I made him a ski hat from some camo print yarn. He loves it. Now he wants a sweater. The hat is really cool. Its his favorite. The problem is it is a very cheap yarn and I can't stand the thought of making an entire sweater from it. So much love and many hours go into a sweater as you all know. He keeps asking me when he gets the camo sweater. I have an idea rolling around in my brain of this camo pattern in a SIMPLE sweater. I have a basic pullover pattern or two that would work. Now I have to map out this camo pattern. You know, the gobs of varing shades of green and tan. It would be one massive intarsia creation. I cannot even fathom such a creation, you know working it out on paper and then doing it. Eiiii-yiiiiiii-yiiiiii-yiiiii!!!! I wish he was joking, but he keeps asking when I'm gonna do it. I am in soooo much trouble because I couldn't tell this kid no if I tried. He says I'm his #1 mom. His mom passed away when he was 12. That is SUCH an honor to be called mom by him. What do I do?

I am drinking bloody marys tonight. Hubby made em so good. Its a budget recipe, but I will share it with you because I love the flavor. V-8, vodka (any kind) and Montreal Steak seasoning sprinkled on top. It has an awesome zing.

I have been packing and cleaning today. We are leaving for a trip to NY tomorrow for Thanksgiving. The boys are totally excited. It is not a productive thing for me to be drinking vodka, and working on my blog tonight. But here I am. I work better under pressure. Its cold there and I hate the cold. But there are people I dearly love there, and sorely miss. Especially my Michael. It has been a rough 4 months with out my first born. Especially since he chose to stay in NY and we chose to go to California. I Love it in CA. I love the weather. I love the fact that the economy is not depressed. And it makes me feel guilty that I love it so much. Our area of NYS is economically depressed to put it politely. I wish I could afford to live here forever. Problem is our house in NY has 7 yrs till paid off, and the equity we have is not spit in a bucket out here. I do not have the college education, hubby does. I put him through school. Then I had 4 boys, 3 years apart. I've been busy. Hubby has a great job, but I am a minimum wage earner. I have a cosmetology license. They are a dime a dozen. So I am trying to figure out what I am going to do next. I am 41. Creative. And I love to knit. I have many ideas and I have these pipe dreams of making money doing this knitting thing. I am currently trying to figure out what my second act will be. I have my oldest going into college in January. Gotta pay for that. I am very conflicted. I have always wanted to live on the west coast and now my dream is come true for at least a year or 3. I should learn to live one day at a time better, and freak about the future a little less. I know that at this point, a job I would get would do very little to help our situation. So to all those little girls out there all bright eyed and bushy tailed: Go to school, pursue your dreams. Get your FRICKEN education. I didn't. But I also did a great thing. I made my decision. But I could have squeezed in some school if I had waited to get married and have kids. Just a little while. So now the challenge is to squeeze in a dream in the middle of real life. Vodka speaks truth sometimes. Have a great Thanksgiving! Happy Knitting!

A knitterick

2005-11-16T11:18:00.000-08:00

There once was a girl who loves to knit...
Til' her family got into a terrible snit.
They whined and they cried,
cause they couldn't decide,

between pepperoni or cheese.

Have a better ending? Chime in! I have been knitting up a sock storm lately and quite frankly I could care less about cooking or other house hold duties. I'm on a roll, and onto my 3rd pair of socks. This pattern gets tweeked more each time I do it, I love it because the possibilities are endless. I have visions of new colorways dancing in my head all the time.

as I promised..

2005-11-14T14:13:00.000-08:00

I have fiddled all morning with the camera and computer and finally got it all figured out how to do the picture thing. I almost gave up and used my cell phone camera, but I love a challenge. I hope you enjoy the pics. Jessicas' shrug is my own creation, meant to be a shoulder warmer basically.

scarf it up!

2005-11-14T14:10:00.000-08:00

jessicas' shrug

2005-11-14T14:01:00.000-08:00

Mother in law socks a WIP

2005-11-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

Weekend update

2005-11-14T10:03:00.000-08:00

Our weekend on the road was great! We drove through "the strip" in Las Vegas, we really didn't have time to stop on this trip. We drove to the Hoover Dam and that is truly an engineering marvel. Our hotel in Laughlin was really nice and we went to the casino and lost a little bit of money. I really like Blackjack, and slot machines are boring to me. I did lots of knitting on the road. I am at the toe of the second sock so I should be done today. We really all enjoyed driving through the desert and seeing country that is so vastly different than what we are used to. Amazing. Everyone out there in knitting land have a great day, and get those WIPs done! The holidays are almost upon us. YIKES!

I promise...

2005-11-11T22:32:00.000-08:00

to post pictures of some of my creations before I give them away. The shrugs are really cool and I am soooo proud of the socks. The newest pair is in the works and I have my knitting bag packed for a trip this weekend. We are going to Arizona for a get together, and staying just over the border in Nevada at a Casino/hotel. Thats new for me. I guess its a "family" place and I hope so because the 3 wild ones are coming with us. I am excited about going to the desert. Its our first time. Alot of firsts for us New Yorkers out here in the west. Maybe there will be a yarn store on the way... hey, ya never know...

IT'S TWINS!!!!

2005-11-08T08:07:00.000-08:00

At 10:32 pm Pacific time, a pair of perfect wool socks came into this world. I was in labor for 5 days, but it was well worth the effort. I now have 5 pairs to knit by Christmas. Yikes! Well I could make one person wait a little longer. I am so proud of myself that I finished this project. I am notorious for half finished projects, losing interest somewhere in the middle. I have a lot of housework to catch up on, so g'bye, and have a fabulous day!

I'm too soxy for my shoes...

2005-11-07T15:15:00.000-08:00

All right, that was a really bad pun. But I'm feeling really "soxual" lately. More my bad. My socks are almost done. It is a very good thing to knit them at the same time. Tonight, I will do the toes and then I can wear them. I got some really great yarn for more gift socks. How about Lime green and flamingo pink? I like my socks to make a statement and stand on their own. Why always be white? I got a nice heathered plum shade for my mother in laws socks. I'm using Plymouth Yarn Encore and Plymouth Yarn Lambs Pride. I am making the gifts out of the Encore because I realized they should be easy to care for, machine wash and dry. The Lambs Pride is great, but it would felt in the dryer. Who needs that worry? I don't mind though for me. I'm already tweaking the pattern for my next pair. I just can't leave things alone. Recipes, patterns, rules of the road...

Heading home to NY for Thanksgiving. It will be good to see everyone, especially my oldest son. We flew the coop on him, instead of the other way around. He announced to us last week that he is going to go to college (the community) in January. YEAH!!!! I love it when a plan comes together. The wool socks will be handy in NY, not too much use for them in Southern California. My oldest son and his girlfriend are coming out here for Christmas. Anybody out there have special knitting projects going for the Holiday season? Let me know! I want to eventually knit new stockings to be hung by the chimney with care. I don't believe I have the time this year, but I would love to hear someone elses ideas.

The Case of the Frogged Sock

2005-11-04T09:27:00.000-08:00

I frogged the sock. I was painful, but it was necessary. I was at the toe, and I knew that even though it looked good, the next sock would be better and not match. So I have started fresh and so relieved. This sock is much nicer and I am getting a second set of dpns to start the second sock at the same time. I am heading out to Longbeach to Alametos Bay Yarn Co. this morning for some stash enhancement. Love that shop! I have a tip for sock knitters, but maybe you already have discovered this. A ziplock bag to slip your work into keeps it safe in your knitting bag or purse from accidental unraveling. Sometimes its the simple things in life, ya know? Well, time to hit the road. And thanks for the suggestions on the spam situation. Peace Love and Knitting!

SPAM spam SPAM !!!! Not Monty Python either.

2005-11-02T14:35:00.000-08:00

I really hate to acknowledge this, but so far, 3 of my 4 comments are from spammers. Now thats really depressing. And I bet they don't even knit. Parasites and bottomfeeders. Let this be known, if you are spamming me, I will simply delete you. I wish there was a delete button for lots of other things. Handy, like the "easy button" in the commercial. I want one of those, just because.