Striped Toe Socks

Happy Birthday!

2011-07-22T21:34:00.000-04:00

My sweet baby,

I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. Every moment with you has been a treasure, even the hard ones. The sleepless nights, the struggles and the worries. None of these things are any comparison to the joy you bring me every day. the way your smile lights up my life.

You are curious about everything, but you are cautious to, clinging in my arms in new places until you feel comfortable. You say Mama, Dada and up, lifting your chubby arms. Your pleasure in the simple things delights me. Your favorite toys are empty water bottles and rocks. If fun isn't around you create it. You sleep with your legs draped across mine. You are a mamas girl through and through. Although you still love to nurse, you will happily eat whatever I give you. You cry when the watermelon is all gone. You share every meal with Molly.

Becoming a mother opened my heart, made me more patient, gentler, kinder and harder to. I would do anything, everything, to keep you safe, happy, healthy. If I could wrap myself around you and keep you safe forever I would. I hate that pain will happen in your life. I would take it if I could, but you will learn from it and it will make you strong.

Thank you, sweet child. You will not understand all that you have given me until you are a mother.

I love you forever,

Your Mama

A NIght To Remember (Day 5)

2011-04-07T19:01:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite weekends began with one of my worst days. J was laid off on a Friday and the next day was his cousin's wedding in Cleveland. Neither of us was feeling very festive, but we still wanted to go. We traveled up with his parents, SIL and niece. We left our problems and fears behind and had so much fun. Silly games in the cars and eating Wendy's in our wedding best while trying not to get ketchup on ourselves. Dancing, singing, and drinking at the reception and a lovely brunch the next day. It made us feel like we could get through anything, because we had each other. We did and I'm proud of that.

Parking It

2011-03-23T10:34:00.000-04:00

My parents and I took Grace to the park last week. It seems like winter was endless, so even though it wasn't sunny, it was nice to get out.

I haz to wear shoes?

Minions! Move my stroller!

Wheelies with Pop Pops

My Night, Day Four

2011-03-11T22:27:00.000-05:00

Grace has a cold and when she breathes she sounds like a pug. It's adorable, but she can't sleep. No nap all day and here we are at 10, still wide awake. For the record Daddy is sawing logs. I thought it would be a good time to catch up on the photo challenge.

My night was a little stressful, Grace was fussy. My parents came over just as dinner was ready, so we got to eat in peace! They brought Grace her new ~~giant piece of plastic baby junk~~ super fun new toy! It's a jump and spin that looks like a flying saucer and takes up the approximate space of an elephant. I should have gone with my instinct to wait until she was in a better mood to let her try it. She was completely overstimulated by it and started crying. Thankfully, Dad grabbed her and started playing with her and she had a blast.

I'm not sleepy.

While we were eating we had the news on, watching the massive destruction in Japan. I can't begin to comprehend it, I can only imagine what it would be like to be in that kind of terror and uncertainty. Not knowing where your family and friends are and if they're safe. Trying to take care of your kids, pets and elderly with all resources gone.

I've been on a little pity party this week. I'm lonely, I'm overwhelmed, my house is a mess, I'm going to have to get out the summer clothes so we have clean things to wear. Seriously? I can just shut up now about my "problems".

Day 3 TV!

2011-03-07T15:59:00.000-05:00

When you have a little one and not a ton of money, TV is a great source of relaxation and entertainment. There are several comedies we watch together, The Middle, Outsourced, Community, and Perfect Couples. I watch Glee, Modern Family and a few other regulars by myself, usually overnight. I also love the History channel, TLC and House Hunters on HGTV. I narrowed my faves down to three.

Everybody Loves Raymond

No my in laws aren't like Frank and Marie, well not too much anyway. I think anyone who is in a long term relationship can relate to the hilarity and nod with understanding.

The Daily Show

Jon Stewart is hilarious and I agree with him in equal amounts as I disagree with him, but he always makes me laugh.

Teen Mom/Teen Mom 2

Yep, total shame here. I'm fascinated with the lives of these girls and their struggles to parent while trying to grow up themselves. Watching makes me thankful I wasn't a teen mom and if my daughter was ever in that situation I would do everything I could to help her.

Photo Challenge Day 2

2011-03-06T06:47:00.000-05:00

Day two is the person you have been close to the longest.

My family has been friends with the Wilson family since I was a few months old. We were neighbors on Craig Dr, and although the Wilsons have moved many times, spending the last twenty years in Lexington, we have kept in touch.

For most of that time, while growing up, we vacationed together every year. We went to the beach a few times, two of those times involved hurricanes. The island we were staying on had a voluntary evacuation. My Dad watched the lines of cars camped out on the highway with coolers, waiting for traffic to move and decided we were staying, darn it! So we did. There were high winds for a day or so. The sand stung our legs like needles, so we opted for the pool. My Dad, ever the boy at heart, rigged up an umbrella to his bicycle and rode the wind all down the beach. What he didn't think about was how hard it would be riding against that same wind on the way back. The restaurants were empty and lots of things were closed, but we still had tons of fun with the beach to ourselves.

Most of the trips we took were to a cottage on a small lake in Michigan. The house was a small Cape Cod on the top of a wooded hill overlooking a small lake. The lake was just the right size to allow our parents to see us no matter where we were on it. This gave us kids a ton of freedom to explore in the paddle boats. There were "sunken ships", and strange neighbors, and the no mans land of across the lake. The best part was at night when my Dad would pile all of kids in the car and we would take long, slow drives around the heavily wooden road surrounding the lake. He would turn the corners and kill the headlights to terrify us. We loved every screaming second!

Karen, Aaron, Jessie and John at Aaron's graduation from the police academy.

We are all grown up now, three of us are married, two with kids of our own. I most recently saw the Wilson parents at Christmas time. We sat around my parents living room and laughed. They played with my daughter and told us stories about their three granddaughters. I'm not as close to Jessie and Aaron as our parents were at our age, but the bond remains. We love each other, and I hope they cherish these memories as much as I do.

30 Days of Photos

2011-03-02T22:42:00.000-05:00

Far be it from me to see a bandwagon I didn't want on, so I'm jumping on the 30 day photo challenge. I doubt my days will all be in a row, but I would like to finish it eventually.

Day one:a photo of yourself and ten facts

This photo was taken on the day of Js (college) graduation as I was walking out the door.

1) I've known my husband since high school. We road the bus together and I couldn't stand him for the first year I knew him. But the boy/man perservered and here we are, nine years of marriage and one daughter later.

2) I'm legally blind and have been since birth. I have a hard time with distance and I'm partly color blind. I never know how to tell new people this without feeling awkward. Sometimes it's really hard, but other times it doesn't matter and I feel thankful for the MANY things I can do. It's hard to be thirty years old and still wish to just feel "normal".

3) I'm addicted to technology. I can't go more than ten minutes without checking my email. Having an iPhone has made this ten times worse.

4) I used to be really into make up and nail polish and have, in the last couple months, rekindled that love. I would probably be a make up artist if not for number two.

5) I'm painfully awful at math.

6) I'm shy and find making new friends difficult.

7) I love going to new places, but I always get nervous right before I leave.

8) I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but I LOVE being a mother and am happy doing that for now.

9) My brother and I never got along growing up. We are five years apart and always competed for our moms attention. Now we are the best of friends.

10) I love studying history. My favorite part of learning about the past is the mundane, day to day way of life and the experiences of those who lived it.

Ahhhh, so thankful to be able to hand Ladybug to her Daddy and spend some time with the laptop.

Seven Months!

2011-02-28T11:43:00.001-05:00

I don't know where the time has gone, blah blah.

We have been doing pretty well the last week.

First off, sleep. After a particularly bad night I ordered a bed rail to facilitate safe bed sharing. J installed it Thursday and the sleeping began. It isn't the same quality of sleep, but I didn't expect it would be and that's ok. Sleep is sleep and I'll take it, thank you very much. Not getting up to nurse, means being less awake and Grace and I have both been in a great mood the last few days. We had the best family weekend we have had in ages.

Don't mind me, I'm just a cute little bed bug.

Solids are a slow start. Despite being curious about everything, my food included, when it came to actually eating, not so much. She will eat about a tablespoon of veggies or fruit mixed with cereal, then she's done and wants to nurse. I'm fine with this. I don't intend to wean her until she is ready, or the biting does me in. Considering she has seven teeth already, I don't see the biting getting worse and it is manageable now. Another thing, in a long list, that surprises me about myself as a mother is my dedication to nursing.

This doesn't taste like pizza!

Movement and play have dramatically improved the last week. Grace does not like to play alone, which gets a little old. She has been able to roll sporadically for a while, but her skills have gotten much better lately. Now she can roll and scoot to toys. Yay! Now I can ~~knit and goof off on the interweb~~ clean and put laundry away! I still can't leave the room without the fussing, but we're getting there, right?

Life is getting more fun every day!

But if you leave you might miss stuff like this

Six Months!

2011-02-08T22:57:00.000-05:00

Grace had her six month check up this week. It went well, despite the shot related tears. Then my own tears started once we got home. We have dabbled in solids the last few weeks and our doctor gave us the go ahead to give her anything she would like to taste. (except peanuts) You might as well have told me she was leaving for college. I felt completely obsolete, ridiculous I know. She will still rely primarily on nursing for nutrition for her first year. Solids will be a compliment to breastmilk, to introduce her to the many flavors and textures of grown up food. I should be excited to share these things with her, and I am. It just feels like the beginning of the end of an era. Oh the drama!

My tiny baby is sixteen pounds and has some pretty concrete opinions. Namely, Mama all the time please. She has fun with Daddy and the grandparents, but she likes to have me in sight. Thankfully, she adores my parents so much she doesn't fuss when I go to work. I feel so lucky to spend 22 hours a day with her. Mornings are my favorite. We cuddle in bed and smile at each other while we wake up. On the weekends Daddy gets to share the fun with us. She is such a little lug to carry around, my back and hips are in constant pain. I've been looking at getting a new carrier by spring.

My biggest personal struggle is "me" time. I get a fair amount of interweb and reading time, but I rarely leave the house. Story time has helped a little, at least I'm with adults, but I've just gotten into the habit of staying in. (wonders if this is how agoraphobia begins) Afternoons are nap time, for both of us, and bedtime starts at 8-8:30. I still primarily nurse down to sleep and a lot of nights it's a struggle. Or maybe I'm just making excuses because of the crazy.

But it's ok, I can leave the house once she leaves for the dorms

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-26T16:53:00.000-05:00

Grace at six months

Story Time at the Apollo

2011-01-17T12:15:00.000-05:00

I took Grace to story time at the library today. It was my first "mom" activity and I was nervous. It was a bad night and the appeal of cuddling in bed all morning was huge. I resisted, showered at 6:30 and nudged my little duckling away from the breast and more sleep. I put her in a girlie outfit, since, well, my daughter looks like a boy and wondered what 'mommies" are supposed to wear to such things. I opted for a button down and cords.

We were the second to arrive, the first was a little boy and his grandma. My fear was it would be all grandmas. I feel like the only person at home all day. Grace had a name tag, how cute! We settled in and chatted a little with grandma. After a few minutes another mom and little girl came in. Yay, someone my age! Grace snuggled in my lap and watched the other kids toddle around, chewing on her fingers and keeping quiet. A little later three more moms came in with some little ones closer to Graces age. We sang songs and and the librarian read books. And it was fun.Yeah I didn't know all the words and I couldn't see the board. Ha, it's like being back at school, but it was ok. Grace was a shy little angel.

I was getting us bundled back up when I noticed the other moms chatting. I sucked it up and went to join them. They are sweet and enthusiastic. Everyone has the same goal, getting out of the house with other adults. I can get behind this if I can put my shyness aside. It reminded me of the first night of knitting, strangers with one love in common. I haven't traded my love of yarn for my love of Grace, but I need to work with this new part of my life.

Grace fell asleep in the car and slept for over an hour. Maybe we both need to expand the walls of the little nest we both love. .

Thankful Friday

2010-11-26T22:43:00.000-05:00

Clearly I have a lot to be thankful for this year. My daughter is happy, healthy and fills our lives with so much love. My husband has a job, a job he even likes most days. My family is amazing and I wouldn't have gotten through the last few years without them. Beyond all those things though here are a few less serious things to be thankful for this year.

-Philsbury Sweet Moments, little chocolate brownie bites, I have two most nights after Grace goes to bed

-Hilarious comedy. After a few years of so so comedy we have The Middle, Modern Family, Raising Hope, and a few other gems to watch all week.

-Podcasts, listening to them at work clears my head of Baby, and that's a good thing.

-The Mama diet, I don't have time to eat and breastfeeding takes a lot of calories, I'm enjoying it while I can.

-Mac, after being PC people for years J got iCurious, so now I'm reaping the benefits.

-Bed!I never knew bed could feel as good as it does now at the end of the day.

Thankful indeed.

Mommy Blog

2010-11-13T22:53:00.000-05:00

Because not writing in one blog isn't enough for me I started a new one.

http://dispatchesfromgraceland.blogspot.com/

(hope that works, still learning on the new iPad)

Happy Wednesday!

2010-10-19T23:46:00.000-04:00

Mama Time

2010-10-11T00:18:00.000-04:00

I'm amazed that Grace is almost three months old. Some days I feel like I have everything together. We have gotten into a routine and that feels good. I'm the kind of person who likes a schedule. Newborns don't have schedules and that, along with the lack of sleep, was hard in the first couple months. Grace has even slept through the night {10:30-6} a couple times.

I think the thing I have had the hardest time adjusting to is not having a little time alone.Although, when I'm not with her I feel like my arm is missing. I've decided when I can get it I need to take ten minutes to do nothing, or to knit or surf the web. I need to be able to refresh a little. Getting the time isn't nearly as difficult;t as feeling ok about taking it or about wanting it. I put a lot of "I should" pressure on myself. As in, I should unload the dishwasher right now or I shouldn't need a break from my daughter.

Grace has changed in incredible ways in just the last few weeks. She smiles all the time and nothing makes me happier than her delight. She has recently discovered her thumb. (adorable!) She is completely lazy and has no real interest in rolling over. She does love to lay on her back and watch the ceiling fans. We call them her BFFs, she kicks and squeals and smiles up at them.

In brief knitting news I'm slowly moving along with the Infinity scarf. If Grace had been born on time instead of two weeks early I would have finished my Harry Potter Dark Mark bag, but I don't have the ~~brainpower~~ time to put into a chart right now. It feels good to something for me that I love. I didn't have a lot of knitting motivation when I was pregnant and that is slowly returning to me.

The schedules and sleep and being a full time SAHM are all evolving together from the me of the past into a new me. I felt a little lost in the beginning. The person who entered the hospital that day wasn't the same person who left. After I realized I was really in labor I started crying that everything was going to change and I was right, it did. And it feels really good.

(My apologies for how scattered this post is)

Five Faves

2010-09-09T00:07:00.000-04:00

These are some things that have helped keep my nursing life happy. My apologies to the 99% of people who don't care.

1) My iPhone, this was a gift I didn't know I wanted, but it has connected me to the outside world during long breastfeeding sessions.

2) The DVR, after 4am it's all Paid Programming, sadly I'm now recording the Kardashians.

3) Kashi Dark Chocolate Oatmeal cookies, full of fiber and yummy. A good one handed snack.

4) Lisa, who sends me random texts about what she's doing.

5) The Boppy, it helps me hold Gracie, so sometimes I can even read while she eats.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-07T22:50:00.000-04:00

Sell By 08/04/10

2010-07-15T21:06:00.000-04:00

I had my now weekly check with the OB today and things are moving swiftly along. I am 3 cm dilated and 75% effaced. (the goal is 10cm and 100% for baby to make his/her arrival) I also had an ultrasound and the baby is in the 80th percentile, which means we don't want to go past my due date. So the doctor has scheduled an induction for August 4, if I haven't gone on my own by then.The doctor also "helped things along", which I might add was less than comfortable.

I'm definitely feeling like things are wrapping up. The baby is head down, and I have pre-period like cramps and occasional twinges of all out pain in my cervix. The Braxton Hicks are also more frequent, though still not painful Relaxin has made me feel like a floppy doll who's seams are coming loose around the joints.

The nursery should be done on Monday and all the furniture will be moved in Tuesday. All the tiny baby things are washed and ready to go in the drawers. I even have my hospital bag (mostly) packed.

I'm beyond excited about the impending arrival of the little one. Even my fear of labor and recovery has moved to the back burner. It just seems like one more step I have to go through to get our baby here.

I've loved being pregnant, even through the awful sick all the time stage. I think I will feel a little sad when I'm not anymore, but it's worth the exchange.

Preparations

2010-06-21T10:49:00.000-04:00

At almost 34 weeks (eak!) time is running short and nothing is as close to being done as I want it to be.

The Room

The plan is to replace the flooring with carpet or hardwood. The choice depends on what is under the carpet. Goal for the week to finish emptying the room and pull up the carpet. If it has a normal sub floor, then wood it is. Of course getting this done depends on J factors A,B and C. (reminding myself that stressing about it doesn't make it get done faster)

I'm trying to choose between these two colors. The other color is buttercream. For some reason they look blurry, no matter how many shots I took. The plan is to do two walls in each color. Another question is, opposing walls or next to each other?

The Supplies

After my fantastic shower, which deserves it's own post, I feel pretty prepared with stuff. I have onesies, bibs, tiny socks, diapers, wipes, and everything for babies first bath. Oh yeah, except a tub, still working on that. I have a car seat, stroller and crib. I still need the mattress for said crib. I also have a hand me down cradle and swing. There are a few gaps to fill in, but on this front at least I'm much closer to the goal.

Labor and Delivery

I decided to skip the several days of classes telling me how to breath and watching videos of women in labor. This could be a huge mistake, I'll let you know on the other side. What I am doing is a breastfeeding class and one called "comforts of labor". I have full intention of getting an epidural, no natural childbirth for me! I wonder if this is all part of my denial about labor. I wish I was one of those women who embraces the experience and sees the beauty in all. I'm just afraid and no book or website I have read has convinced me otherwise,. It's all just a vast unknown, how will it actually go for me, not just the other birth stories I've read. These fears, amongst the other multitude of unknowns, has upped my anxiety levels in recent weeks.

All in all I guess I'm getting there. Emotionally I'm very up and down. I fluctuate between excitement and terror. I find myself wishing it was September and all these fears were a distant memory and I could fully focus on my expanded family.

Good-Bye 20's!

2010-04-22T10:50:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow I turn 30! Yes, send cake because I do NOT have gestational diabetes. As I prepare to welcome a new decade of life I began to look back at the last one. My overall memory is that the last ten years have been, hard. That isn't completely fair or by any means all inclusive.

I got married, at twenty-one. New marriage is challenging and it is even more so when you are very young. Looking back, I would have waited a while longer, but I've learned and grown a lot. We spent some time in counseling, something I'm proud to say. I feel stronger and more untied with my husband for all the work we have put in.

I almost lost my Mom. It's been two years to the day and I still feel sick when I think about that time. I cannot express how thankful I am that she is here with me today. Our relationship has changed in the last decade. It began with me still very much under her loving wing. It was a hard place to pull myself out of, into the unknown. My life has expanded and grown richer because of it, thanks for pushing me out Mama.

Infertility. The word that has haunted me in recent years. I never in a million years thought it wwould have happened to me. That I would lose my first pregnancy. Later, I never thought I would end up pregnant without the help of modern technology. This led to some of the best moments of my life, hearing my babies heartbeat and feeling him or her kicking inside me. When I think about the next decade I think of it as the time I will be a new mother, a time when my babies will be young.
I can't wait.

Learning to knit shaped my life. Through it I have met amazing friends, friends that make me feel loved and make me laugh. I've developed confidence and been able to use my mind and hands in new, creative ways.

I'm excited about what's to come. Bring it, I'm ready.

We Grow 'Em Big 'Round Here

2010-03-18T07:06:00.002-04:00

Everything with the ultrasound was great. The kidneys are working, which grossed my Dad out when he realized what that meant. But where does the pee go? The heart looks perfect, everything flowing the right way. The brain is growing and I'm sure the child will be a genius. All good, big sigh of happy relief.

So yesterday when the nurse from my OBs office called I was thrown right away. Thankfully she started off with, everything looks great with the baby. Ok, then why are you calling me? Did they mention the baby is kind of big? No, I only heard words like perfect.

Turns out I'm growing a Giant Baybee, in the 80th percentile. Yay, good for me! Not exactly, it could be a sign of the fear that has lurked in the back of mind, gestational diabetes. The doctor is going to bump up my glucose test from 24-28 weeks, to 22. Two weeks of delcicious sugar eating for me. If I pass it this time I will repeat it in a few months. In six weeks I'll get another ultrasound to see how huge my Giant Baybee has gotten. More peeks at the inside, well ok, if you insist. The nurse also said the baby may have just had a growth spurt, so we shall wait and see.

The idea that I may not be able to eat cake at my shower or for my birthday is quietly heartbreaking. But worth it in the end.

Someone will bring me cake at the hospital, right?

19 Weeks and Counting

2010-03-15T21:56:00.002-04:00

I can't believe how quickly the time is flying by. I know that sounds like a complete cliche, but wow, I'll be five months this week. Tomorrow is the Big Ultrasound. Despite of Lisa's diligent campaigning, we are not finding out the gender.

When I hear about other people on the Due in August group on Rav finding out what they are having I do feel a little jealous, but most of the time I don't mind. And sometimes I do. I also realize it's just the beginning of parenting negotiations. Coming together with different sets of ideas and family history is all part of raising a child together.

I have been anxiously awaiting any movement from the Little One. I thought I felt something a few weeks ago, but then nothing, so I guess not. The last few days though there has been something going on. The fact that it is consistent and not associated with other tummy rumblings makes me think it might be for real this time.

My parents are coming with us tomorrow. Their excitement fills me with such joy. J and I are nervous and excited and worried and any other number of emotions, but for them it is pure happiness. The baby is part of them, a concrete person that they can't wait to meet. For me it is still in the abstract. Their love enhances my own. That's the way family should be, each generation being blessed by the love of all the people who have gone before them.

Hello Second Trimester!

2010-01-28T22:39:00.003-05:00

Wow, the weeks are just flying along. Tomorrow is the (un)official start of the second trimester. I won't get the final results of Monday's test until next week, but the measurements all looked normal. It wasn't performed by my regular doctor. We had to go to a special perinatal testing center, and the tech was one of those people you just can't get to smile. Thankfully the doctor was very nice. We'll be back there for the 20 wk scan.

Seeing the baby is more incredible every time. We got to see jumping, arm waving and maybe some thumb sucking! The baby is measuring three days ahead, my little overachiever.

Today was my normal four week OBGYN appointment. I got to hear the heartbeat (150bpm) again, that never gets old, adding to my desire to rent a doppler. It will probably be another seven weeks before I can feel the baby move, such a looong time. The only lich was in my previous blood work, I'm no longer immune from Rubella. So if you see me near a rashy looking child, you have to knock it out of my path and put a paper bag over it's head so it doesn't breath on me. What, that seems reasonable.

The gender debate, or not a debate since we are both firm in our opinions, continues. It really makes the knitting planning more difficult. There are so many preshus girrrrl baybee things, and not so much in the manly boy area. I did find a few gender neutral patterns that I actually like. My current favorite is The Vintage Car Coat.

I feel like I've popped out the last few days. I'm not sure a stranger would notice, but I am moving past the "she's chubby" stage and heading slowly toward the looking pregnant stage.

I'm happy, and a little smug. (Yes Lisa, I still think it's funny and I'm not bitter)

Test Anxiety

2010-01-22T11:36:00.000-05:00

I'm 12wks today, yay! I'm slowly starting to feel less sick, which is a huge relief, no matter how grateful I am that my hormones are working right.

On Monday I have my first trimester screening test. It involves an ultrasound and blood work. It will give us our chances of having a baby with Downs and will also give indications of other congenital problems. I'm nervous as hell. There is a relatively high false positive rate, 5% will get a positive and 5% of that group will actually have a child with a problem. We almost canceled it this week. Considering the increased risk of miscarriage with more invasive testing this will be as far as we go, beyond more ultrasounds. We wouldn't terminate for Downs, so we will just kind of be stuck with the results we get. I think it's my shaky confidence that it will tell us everything is fine that is keeping me going.

I spent so much time worrying that I would miscarry that I didn't have room to worry about anything else.

We are also debating finding out the sex. I really want to know. J was indifferent at first, but now thinks he doesn't want to find out. Considering my inability to keep my mouth shut about any kind of surprise, we have to come to some conclusion.

Opinions?

Happy (4th day of the) New Year!

2010-01-04T10:03:00.002-05:00

Yeah, I'm a little late, but I'm pregnant and have a cold with a lovely barking cough. I am so hawt right now. I'm not sure how J can resist my charms. But yes, I"M PREGNANT! In case you have missed that announcement somehow along the way. Plus, I just like seeing it in print.

It's been five weeks since I found out, we have had two ultrasounds and heard a racing heart. Still, it feels, sometimes, like I'm pretending. When I was a little girl I played house or "grown up" and that's what I feel like now, that I'm just faking it. Of course my breasts have become The Boobs of Doom, sometimes I throw up as soon as I get up and my favorite jeans don't button comfortably anymore. (despite the fact that I've only gained one pound) My little gummy bear is real and moving around inside me. The other moments are the holy crap I'm having a baby in August! moments.

The Christmas knitting did not get finished. Yes, I'm blaming the baby, poor baby. I'm barely a third of the way through Alex's scarf. I did finish Chrissy's mittens and the two toddlers scarves, so I'm not a complete failure. The bad thing is, of course, I miss knitting for me. I think I am the worlds most selfish knitter.

I like the idea of knitting resolutions much more than the regular kind. Besides I can't resolve to lose weight this year, so why bother. I had originally planning to participate in Sock Wars, but things changed and I know I wouldn't have been able to put my best foot forward with it. I also gave some thought to working through Elizabeth Zimmermanns Knitter's Almanac, but I really don't want to knit everything in it anyway. (If I have a girl though, you can bet she'll be wearing a February Baby Sweater) So here are the things I want to accomplish in 2010.

1-Conquer charts, both lace and colorwork
2-Finish at least one blanket for the baby
3-Always have a pair of socks on the needles (um, hopefully not the same sock all year)
4-Learn some new sock skills, such as heel flaps and toe up socks.

I think that's enough to keep me busy for a while.

At Last

2009-11-21T09:56:00.003-05:00

Do you hear the glorious sound of relief? The music? The baby angels weeping with joy? After these many months of struggle, fighting a battle I thought would never end, suddenly it has. One day makes all the difference.

Pregnant asks the faithful reader? Perhaps her unemployed husband has found work, so she get get the long desired mani/pedi?

Foolish reader, it's better! The Socks That Will Never End are finished! The socks that took almost an entire year, due to shameful neglect, but still, are done! I can knit socks for myself again, without guilt!

The warmth filling my heart cannot be expressed in mere words.

Creative Weekend

2009-11-02T23:30:00.003-05:00

I spent Halloween as a corpse scaring little kids.

Then I learned how to knit Continental!

And I did my nails. I can't stop looking at them, but I'm easily amused.

Happy November!

FLS

2009-10-21T09:34:00.001-04:00

It looks strangely wide, but you get the idea.

Wandering Aimlessly

2009-10-20T21:40:00.002-04:00

I miss knitting my sweater. I miss feeling it's warm weight spread across my lap. I miss the endless hours of mindless flow, the rhythm of it. I know I need to move on, to pick up the needles and knit something. Or you know to get some strong thread and sew those buttons on and wear it. Or at the very least take some pictures of it. Then there is that nasty pair of socks haunting me. There is also Christmas knitting, for which I don't have the yarn or sadly the money to buy the yarn. Anyone need a computer fixed? My hubby is available. So I wander around sadly with empty hands.

Finished!

2009-10-17T22:34:00.002-04:00

My FLS is done, woo hoo! Debating whether to block it or not. if I like the fit do I need to block it? I'm wearing it now, despite it's lack of buttons.

I kind of want a new T-shirt to go under it. You can always use new shirts, right?

((doing the finished sweater dance of joy))

Random

2009-10-15T22:10:00.002-04:00

That's where I'm at, so there ya go.

~Family Drama seems to be letting up, kind of. At least the people who are important to me are back on good terms.

~I love my new-to-me laptop, I spent way too much time watching TV shows on Hulu over the weekend. Glee is my new favorite! Oh, and Flash Forward, which feeds my Lost craving.

~Reading and knitting are competing for my free time. I'm a few inches into the second FLS sleeve and I picked buttons. (purchased locally) It's been too gloomy to get a pic of them though.

~I got to see my former pilates teacher this week, I was amazed how much I missed her and her teaching style. I'll be back in her class next quarter, no matter what.

~I'm starting to feel the itch for the next knitting project, which should be Christmas knitting, considering I have three scarve requests.

~My mood has been so up and down, I have a complete lack of direction and passion for life right now.

~Already dreading the holidays. I used to love it and part of me still does, but it comes with stress now.

Thankful Thursday

2009-10-08T21:46:00.003-04:00

The last week or so has been hard. A number of things added to this, not being pregnant again, family drama, oh and my husband still has no job in sight. None the less I am trying to shake of these feelings of nagging sadness. So here goes

~I love my FLS, I started the first sleeve today. Thank you all for the button input, except you English Emily, you added to my button troubles. :)

~Looking forward to hanging with family and friends this weekend. I don't know where I would be without you all!

~J is gone for the weekend, I miss him! BUT I get to watch whatever I want and eat junk for dinner and not feel bad about not providing a healthy meal.

~FALL, cider, pumpkin everything, crunching through leaves, gorgeous color, sitting by the fire

~The best one of all, we celebrated eight years of marriage this week, we rock!

I know things will get better, I can't wait.

Peaceful Moment

2009-10-07T06:57:00.000-04:00

I'm In Love

2009-10-06T09:11:00.004-04:00

With the February Lady Sweater. I am even farther along then this picture I snapped yesterday morning. I have an inch or two left of the body. This sweater has been pretty elusive in the photo department, they all end up looking washed out.

The search for buttons has begun. Is it too early for that? Nah, I love buttons. Looking through my Grandma's button basket was one of my favorite past times when I was little.

The Leathers

Button One

Button Two

Button Three

The Metals

Button One

Button Two

Ok, clearly I need to narrow this list, this wasn't even all of them. Ugg.

My other debate is lace sleeves or garter stitch sleeves. I'm leaning towards the garter (as much as I love the lace) and I may make them a little slimmer.

My expectations are high that this will be a sweater I not only finish, but wear and love.

A is for Acupuncture

2009-08-17T16:25:00.002-04:00

I have been doing acupuncture for two months now. Since it is for fertility I have three sessions the first ten days of my cycle. I thought I should spend a little time describing it and the effects it's had for me.

The clinic I go to is two thirds Zen spa atmosphere and one third clinic. It is a small staff consisting of the acupuncturist, Stacy and three assistants/general office staff. I have never before encountered women who work together in such seeming peace and harmony. Perhaps it's all a sham put up for the clientele, but if it is they are doing an excellent job. I have to personally credit Stacy for the environment, she exudes positive, confident energy. I will miss her terribly once I am pregnant and no longer seeking her treatments.

I begin the sessions by undressing to my undies and bra and laying face up on a massage like table. I am covered by a towel at this point. Stacy and one of the assistants come in to set me up. Stacy inserts the needles, first one in the top of my head and one in my forehead. Then she begins with my feet, a few near the toes, on in the ankle and then she moves up the leg, I usually have two-three in each leg and one in each inner wrist. Lastly she inserts the needles in my stomach and upper pelvic area. Some of them hurt more than others as they go, but really the pain is no worse than say tweezing your eyebrows. The assitant then wires the groups of needles together and goes section by section running a low voltage through them. At each interval I tell her at what level I begin to feel the electricity. It feels like a tiny thrumming under my skin. It's not painful, if it is she backs it down to a comfortable level, but it is an odd sensation. I am then covered by a blanket and music is turned on and lights out. I lie here for 25 minutes. Sometimes I become relaxed enough that I feel like my body is heavy or that I am floating and weightless. I know they sound like opposite feelings, but both are somehow peaceful.

When I visited a spa a few months back with my Mom I had a very difficult time doing nothing when I was supposed to be relaxing. I think I'm getting better at it now. I am practicing my own mindful relaxation. I can't push all the thoughts out of my head like some people, but I have developed a "happy place" I can go to and find relaxation

The assistant then comes in, turns off the current and removes all the needles. I don't feel anything when they are removed. Afterward, I feel relaxed, positive and energized. After a particularly bad day I had a session and my entire mood changed.

Beyond a clear improvement in anxiety and depression I can't say for sure what physical things have improved. Last cycle I had a cyst and by this cycle it was small enough to go ahead with infertility treatment. This cycle I had well developed follicles, but I also took Clomid, so that was what was supposed to happen. What I can say is that I have and will continue to recommend acupuncture to my friends and family. It is expensive, but I think worth looking into. Cost aside I would happily go once a week.

What Are You Reading?

2009-08-07T22:13:00.002-04:00

I've been finally out of my reading (and knitting) slump. Despite all the stress lately having the normal things I love back in my life have really helped.

Here are some books I've been reading

Prayers For Sale, this takes place during the Depression, a time period I find fascinating, those people had some balls and smarts to get through that. It's about an old woman and a young woman who become friends over their love for quilting. Great story telling.

The Guernsey Lieray and Potato Peel Pie Society, Emily and I discovered this at the same and she loaned me her copy. I want to buy my own at some point so I can reread it. I was hesitant to read it because it's written in letter form and I was afraid it would be difficult to become attached to the charactors that way, I was wrong.

Blindsighted, I am reluctant to include this book in a list of recommendations, but here it is. This book is about the search for a violent serial rapist, there are details of the violence, it's gut wrenching. The charactors are flawed and fascinating. This is the first in a series, I haven't geared myself up to read the next one, but I'm still thinking about the people and that's good writing to me.

Outlander, a repeat reading of the series before the next one comes out in September. Time travel, sex, romance, violence, rape, history, love, pissing matches, it's got it all.

How about you?

Um....

2009-07-10T21:27:00.002-04:00

Remember when I actually knitted things? Or posted to the blog? Me either.

So here is a summary of all the nothingness that has been going on.

~I'm not going to make the HP socks movie deadline, not even close. I haven't even frogged them back and restarted them. Sorry babe.

~I have tomatoes and they are small but delicious.

~I would have started infertility treatments this month, but I have a cyst, so I can't do anything until it's gone. I had my first acupuncture appointment today, it was very cool and weird, but also relaxing.

~Hubby still has no job or any leads on anything.

~I've read lots of good books lately, they deserve their own post.

~The Hangover is the funniest movie I've seen in a long time.

~I went to Sunday Night Knitting for the first time in months. It was great to see everyone. My knitting mojo was helped for sure. I think they go hand in hand, being with knitters makes me want to knit more and better.

That's all I've got.

I Need a Project

2009-06-24T20:49:00.002-04:00

Now that Emily and Matt's wedding is over I am without something to occupy my mind, except getting knocked up. A phrase I used to hate, but is somehow growing on me. I feel like every knitting project I start ends up being set aside a few rows in. I need something to challenge and engage and enthrall me. My brain is bored.

Help!

Laughing At Myself

2009-06-17T22:10:00.003-04:00

We had our first visit to the infertility clinic yesterday. It didn't go as well as I had hoped, but that's not what I'm here to write about. In our packet from the clinic was Conceive magazine. I didn't know such a thing existed. Look what's on the cover! A baby, yes, whatever, but look the baby is wearing a cute striped hoodie. Maybe someday I'll have a little monkey to make cute sweaters for.

Happy Day

2009-06-14T20:36:00.003-04:00

Last night and today were amazing. Well the whole weekend really, since it started Friday morning with girl time at the spa and brunch. Emily and Matt's wedding was beautiful and perfect and I hope everything they wanted it to be. It was a really special day for all of us. Emily is being welcomed into a loving, warm family. We drank lots of champagne and had lots of laughs and Lisa jabbed her eye into my finger, causing her face to be covered in stripper glitter.

I even managed not to cry in front of the bride until the very end.

Going Public

2009-05-31T00:07:00.002-04:00

I started a TTC blog a few months ago at Lisa's encouragement, but I felt shy about sharing it. It could be the wine, but who cares.

In all it's TMI glory.

The Pre Bump

Surprising Myself

2009-05-20T09:27:00.002-04:00

If someone had told me six months ago my husband would be unemployed and we would be starting infertility testing I probably would have burst into tears, but here I am, and I'm ok. Not every moment of every day, but mostly I'm ok. Maybe it's being on the A/D or maybe it's some strength of maturity and character. (ha!) Whatever, I'll take it.

The testing begins Friday and we have an appointment at KMC's Fertility Clinic in June. It's funny to have gone along all this time just trying to relax and let nature take it's course and be here now. I still don't think there is anything major wrong, but who knows? I'm feeling really lucky to have so many amazing friends in my life to support me. Not to mention my family.

There is one other thing going on in my head right now, but I'm too afraid to even write about it. I want it too much. It's where all my emotional eggs are. Not a smart move.

Feeling Domestic

2009-05-10T22:45:00.002-04:00

I'm kind of a Susie Homemaker by nature, but this weekend I've really been feeling it. Yesterday I cleaned until everything smelled lemony fresh. I even used Chris's trick of pretending I was the maid to a very demanding boss, myself.

After the cleaning I treated myself to a nap, heaven!

Today I made brunch for my parents and it was awesome, brown sugary french toast and bacon. I also started a pork roast in the crock pot for dinner, making the house smell delicious. I got to use some more of my new cookware and make a glaze for the pork, all fancy like.

Tomorrow, transferring spearmint to it's new pot.

I'm a rock star.

Thankful Thursday

2009-05-07T11:14:00.001-04:00

~I have really amazing friends and I am incredibly grateful for them

~Family

~Had a blast in Cleveland last weekend

~Big doctors appointment next week, hopefully some answers soon

Trying to Have Faith

2009-05-06T13:43:00.002-04:00

Growing up I was taught to trust God. That He was always in control and there was a grand plan. The last year has, one piece at a time, picked at the foundation of said faith until I feel like there is nothing left. I realize it's a lot of self pity and "why me" that has brought me to this point. The losing of faith has just added to the pity party already going on. Last week J lost his job, so yay cake at the pity party! But I'm not bitter, I'm really not. (no sarcasm) Granted it hasn't even been a week yet, so I'm not saying it won't happen, but right now I'm ok. That makes me proud, even if it is unrelated to any higher power. I still don't know where I stand on that one. I am grateful that J got some freelance computer work to do today. The Christian part of me should be saying, see God provided work. I guess it's a start to not scoff at it right off.

It seems so naive to me to think there is a mighty being with his finger on my husbands job, but that was what I used to believe. The loss of faith feels so foreign that I don't know where to put those feelings.

So I'm putting them out there in the blogosphere.

Nourishing Little Plants

2009-05-05T09:51:00.003-04:00

I've been researching container gardening and finally decided to just go for it. I'm not sure it's going to work. I may not get enough sun and bees may not find my little plants to pollinate them, but I'm hopeful. I started with cherry tomatoes and a petunia to keep it company and attract bees. Emily has some extra pots she won't be taking with her, so I'll pick those up this weekend and add some mint and something else, an herb maybe?

Beauty

2009-04-29T10:33:00.002-04:00

Thankful Thursday-The Birthday Edition

2009-04-23T21:58:00.003-04:00

I was afraid I would be sad today, after last year I didn't want to face this day or tomorrow. I'm not though. My Mom is here. She isn't bleeding internally in the ICU like she was last year. She is here, alive and healthy and in my life every day. I lost my baby the day after my birthday last year. That will always be in my heart and I'm sure I will always think of it around this time, but today at least I'm not broken. Even though we don't have a baby yet, I'm still hopeful and happy. What more can I ask for?

Oh yeah, and I had cake.

Storm Clouds

2009-04-22T09:10:00.001-04:00

Weekend in Pictures

2009-04-20T10:18:00.004-04:00

I made bread.

I find something fascinating about the process.

Perhaps you will to.

There were margaritas

And a fire

And lots of silliness

It was awesome

Random Weekly Thoughts

2009-04-10T13:27:00.003-04:00

~Have lost my knitting mojo. I went to BS with Lisa last night and got all of about four rows done. My new goal is to have J's socks done by the HP movie premiere in July. That's one and a half socks in about three months. I should be able to handle that.

~Feel like a total loser for dropping my Poly Sci class in a moment of panic. But a bored low stress loser with cleaner closets.

~At Lisa's encouragement started a TTC blog

~Work is making me insane, no, my boss is making me insane.

~Looking forward to Martini Night.

Falling Out of Love

2009-04-07T10:32:00.003-04:00

A couple in our family has recently separated. They have been married four or five years and have a small son. The man left his wife for a coworker, lovely. I don't know them well, so only feel sad for them in that distant way. It did prompt me to think about why though. One answer came to mind, probably a simplistic answer, considering I know next to nothing about the situation and considering that nothing in life as complex as a marriage falling apart can be as simplistic as one answer.

He fell out of love with his wife.

No one told him that he wouldn't always, every day, love her. Maybe it was her focus on their baby and not him. Whatever the reason, or not, he turned that love to someone else.

We are friends with lots of young twenty somethings. Most of them are friends Alex has grown up with and have become our friends as well. They often seek us out for advice on their relationships. We try to tell them things we have learned in our seven years of marriage and things we have learned from our parents 30+ plus years. Here they are in a tiny list.

~Marriage is hard, that doesn't mean it was the wrong choice or that it won't be good again.

~You won't always feel the same way about each other, one of you may not "feel" that love all the time. Hang in there.

~Life is unexpected, harder and different and beautiful and devastating in ways you can't begin to imagine. It just is, cling to each other and face that together, not apart, not with someone else.

Simple and hard and so worth it.

Thankful Thursday

2009-04-02T21:06:00.003-04:00

Im back from Chicago, which was awesome. The best part was just being together. Our family has been through a lot, together and individually and I'm sure we will go through more, that's just the way life is. It still amazes me that we are stronger and love and even enjoy each other. Ok, it wasn't all fun, we got on each others nerves at times. The bad thing was that Chrissy got sick, so we ened up not doing as much as we had planned. One of the things that didn't get done was going to the yarn store. It was out of the way and had nothing around it. It's too bad, but with the UVFF in a few weeks I don't mind being ahead in the saving department.

I'm thankful for:

~Time away and to relax.

~Being home again. I'm getting old, coming home is as good as being away.

~J, he did something so thoughtful and unexpected.

~Back on Happy Pills!

Watching the last ep of ER, another reason I feel old.

Chicago Or Bust

2009-03-18T09:21:00.003-04:00

This is the last week of class and I've been spending way too much time planning our upcoming trip to Chicago. The list of who's coming has expanded to include D and Alex. I'm SO excited that Alex is coming, I love that guy. I never would have thought when we were growing up how close we would be as adults. It makes me want to have two kids just so they don't miss that.

This trip will be a little different than the mad shopping of the past. We'll have Chrissy with us, and I want her to experience the city and do things that she thinks are fun, not just have her tag along with us. We are going to Shedd Aquarium, which seems very popular. Our favorite part of the Boston trip was the ghost tour we took and it wasn't hard to decide we would like to do this in Chicago as well. Hopefully Ursula's won't let us down. Several people have suggested visiting the top of the Hancock by way of eating at the Signature Room. I'm a little suprised we've missed this on past visits. In the spirit of experiencing the city I'm hoping to go to the Maxwell Street Market, but I'm afraid my expectations for this are going to be a little high.

The yarn store choices are plentiful, Loopy Yarns and Knitwerks look like the closest and best options.

Chicago is an amazing city full of the kindness of the Midwest and I know no matter we end up doing it will be a blast!

Happiness Quickie

2009-03-12T22:14:00.002-04:00

I sometimes feel like the word "thankful" carries too much pressure. Instead here is a list of happy things for the week. Yes, I realize this is all I post these days.

~Sick days

~Watching Quantum Leap on said sick day

~Constant Comment tea

~New South Park this week

~Nasal spray, I had no idea how deeply my love for nasal spray went until today, it's sad

I'm starting the February Lady sweater today, so I may have actual knitting next time. (and maybe pictures of Emily trying on wedding dresses)

Thankful Thursday

2009-03-05T21:11:00.002-05:00

~J

~Wedding planning

~The ever hilarious Molly

~Warm spring weather

~Chicago GC trip

Why I Don't Get Laundry Folded

2009-03-04T09:52:00.003-05:00

Am I Asking For Too Much?

2009-03-03T09:24:00.002-05:00

~My husband to have a job he loves that provides us with an income

~A part time job that adds to that income

~Children

~A happy, comfortable life, not without struggle, but one in which I feel like every now and then we get a freakin' break

Mid Week Rants/Raves

2009-02-18T22:49:00.002-05:00

RAVES

~J fixed my computer and it is SO much faster! I can load pictures and watch vids again.

~Kicking ass in pilates.

~The spring like weather.

~Reading again.

~Had the best Valentines I can remember in several years.

RANTS

~Hurtful, thoughtless people.

~J has been super stressed the last few weeks at work, and super grumpy and then this week it's been slow hours (and money) wise, but still stressful.

~Really annoyed that BS changed the hours.

~I think the stuff in my house doubles while I'm cleaning in some other area.

~Trying to save for Chicago trip.

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-14T20:07:00.001-05:00

Baked Fudge with whipped cream

Donations for Oscar

2009-02-11T15:56:00.002-05:00

A dog is sick and his dog Mommy is desperate to help him. I don't know her, but I know she is a knitter, I know she loves her dogs like I love my Molly. If you are able and willing to help her pay for Oscars medical bills, please do. If you can't please send them prayers and good thoughts.

Kelly Green Rogue

Planning Ahead for Valentines

2009-02-06T17:56:00.002-05:00

Valentines Day isn't a big deal in my house. I've mentioned before I don't have the most romantic of husbands, but he is very good with the practical, so I keep him around anyway. Some years we go out for dinner, some years we don't do much of anything. This year I suggested cooking steaks at home, some wives might not think of this as a treat, but I like to cook and don't really think of throwing meat on the George Foreman to be that much work. I hadn't given dessert much though though until I read the Pioneer Womans blog. This woman is my food god. I've made a handful of her recipes and they are always impressive, but simple to make. The other day she posted a recipe for Baked Fudge. I will be making it for VD, I may even share some with J. I thought someone else might want to make it for themselves or their well behaved sweetie. If you go to her blog don't forget to enter the contest for a Kitchenaid mixer, if you're into that kind of thing.

Wednesday Rants and Raves

2009-02-04T09:34:00.002-05:00

I used to do a regular post like this on a forum and I thought it might be fun to try here.

Raves

~Even though it's really cold out, there is sunshine.

~I'm looking forward to Lisa's birthday dinner on Saturday. I get to dress up and put effort into make up, yay!

~I finished the Just Enough Ruffles scarf and I love it.

~My friend Joy requested some hand knits for her kids. I may be making a baby sized ruffled scarf for baby Emily.

~J has gotten a few more hours this week than what has been normal lately.

~Reading a book about fertility awareness, something I have avoided in the past. I'm hoping it will will let me feel more knowledge about my body, not just obsessive about it.

Rants

~I have nothing on the needles right now and it makes me feel twitchy.

~I'm also not reading anything. After finishing the Twilight books nothing has caught my attention. Suggestions?

~I'm on the board at my condo and we had annual elections last night. I think the people made some really bad calls and I'm very concerned about it.

~I need to go to the gym more than once a month, ugg.

~I want to buy some stuff, but I know that now is not the time to spend extra money. The girls are planning a trip to Chicago in the spring and I need to save for it.

Long Overdue

2009-01-29T14:28:00.002-05:00

I haven't felt like I had much to say lately. Things have been mostly even, minus the whole, "I'm late, but not pregnant drama." I'm thinking I've gone long enough without meds, but I haven't made the next step of calling the doctor to discuss baby friendly happy pills.

Over the weekend I took a little family trip with J and his parents and part of that trip was a stop at Temptations in Dublin. This was, by far the nicest, best stocked yarn store I have ever been to. Considering the spur of the momentness of the trip, there wasn't much money to spend, but J contributed and I picked up some Opal Harry Potter yarn in Lupin. J picked it out so I can make him the long promised socks. I also, finally, got a row counter, yay! J spent my looking time chatting up the owner and explaining things like ball winders and swifts to his Dad. The owner told them she had a broken swift and would they know how to fix it? My FIL brought it home with us to fix and return at some point in the future. We finished the outing with lunch at the pub next door. I enjoyed Dublin so much I searched real estate listings when I got home, just for fun, of course.

I finished the ribbed socks and wore them a few times. They are by far, the best fitting socks I've made thus far. I cast on the Just Enough Ruffles scarf. It isn't something I would normally see myself wearing, but something kept bringing me back to it. I'm using the alpaca from the farm, yummy! I feel a little guilty that I haven't started J's socks yet. My excuse is that I haven't found the perfect manly pattern yet. Yeah, we'll go with that.

Wow, it actauly feels good to write again. I may have to do this more often.

Thankful Thursday

2009-01-08T15:41:00.002-05:00

~Molly

~All night vets who care about your furbabies

~Books

~Knitting socks

~Snow!

~J, while we were waiting for the vet to come in and tell us how Molly was, at one in the morning, with no make up, after crying for an hour, he told me I was beautiful.

~Arrested Development and Venture Brothers

~The ability to always keep moving forward.

No Death By Chocolate in This House

2009-01-07T15:51:00.003-05:00

Molly is wild, curios and nosy. All these trait got her into trouble Monday night when she thought it would be an awesome idea to eat 8oz of Hershey's Cocoa kisses. I seemingly left the pantry door open, and boy do I feel awful that I didn't check it to make sure it was closed. She had already been very sick by the time we got home, so I thought she had most of it out of her system. I kept on her all evening and she couldn't even hold on to water. By midnight I was pretty worried, so I woke J up and we took her to the newly opened emergency vet by our house. Thank God they are there! Her little hear rate was up to 210 and she was starting to get dehydrated. (huge masses of guilt) They decided to keep her overnight and treat her, including IV fluids. When we came home without her I immediately started having an anxiety attack. I think I could hold it together until we came home to an empty house. Thankfully, I quickly got a grip, took a Lunesta, and slept. Our little chocolate fiend came home the next morning and although she is extra tired, she is otherwise ok. I am so grateful for how kind the vet and techs were and the excellent care Molly got there. Of course the first thing she did when she got homee was to look for any candy that she might have missed, ugg.

Good Bye 2008

2008-12-31T09:26:00.002-05:00

This has been the hardest year of my life. The great joy of finding myself pregnant after our first month of really trying and the great sorrow of losing the baby. I nearly lost my Mom as well and I don't think I could have survived both. But, of course you never really know how strong you are until you face the worst. It also brought me great joy in my new friendships with my knitting girls. I couldn't have gotten through the last year without that group and the truly special people in it. I learned a new found depth of closeness with J, I know that we can survive tragedy and come through it better. I can't say it was all some good learning experience. I'm harder, bitter and my faith has some solid cracks in it. I hope those things soften in the next year. I hope for, well, I guess I hope for a lot.

To feel refreshed with my education and to have a renewed yearning for knowledge.

To feel like myself again.

To have deeper, more meaningful relationships, even when that means I have to pick up the phone to do it.

I hope to be better, stronger, happier, more at peace than I was this year. And I hope to worry about all those things a little less and just be happy with what I have, where I am.

Things I Wish I Had Done List-Update

2008-12-23T16:38:00.002-05:00

Not doing to badly, but still feel the anxiety of impending festivities.

~Presents, all purchased AND wrapped. Yay for me.

~House, mostly clean. This one is stalled due to the fact that I am a messy cook, so I know there will be last minute cleaning of the kitchen.

~Light, not up, husband still living. For now.

~Curtains, purchased (thanks Mom!) and up.

~Grocery list made, shopping this evening.

27 and one half hour to Christmas Go Time.

(No yarn or cameras have been purchased)

Guilty Pleasure

2008-12-22T08:50:00.002-05:00

When J and I went to see the newest Bond we were making fun of all the teens there to see Twilight. It had taken Bond's spot on the biggest screen. South Park spoofed vampire wannabe kids and it was hilarious. Needless to say, I wasn't into Twilight, despite my love for Buffy/Angel and other vampire genre. So when my MIL suggested going to see it I agreed, but not with enthusiasm.

I liked it, a lot.

Don't get me wrong, it is full of angst. It is also full of sexy vampire hormone driven teenagers. Kind of hot. Really hot.

There was really good knit wear. Bella's mitten, that had already been in my queue, are movie dupe's.

I'd even see it again.

Not Proud

2008-12-20T21:52:00.002-05:00

I wish I could say I have outgrown fits of temper driven crying emotional outbursts.

I haven't.

Can I blame the lack of Lexapro?

Or I am I just a spoiled child inside?

Thing I Wish I Already Had Dones

2008-12-19T09:51:00.002-05:00

Some might call this a "to do" list, but I don't like those.

~Present for my FIL, plan, buy coffee at Boston Stoker today when out with Mom. (also tell Mom how good Madame Peanutbutterflies are and suggest she, we, have one)

~Purchase final touch to MILs gift, she reads this sometimes, so not talking about this one.

~Clean house, company clean.

~Decide what I'm making for Christmas Eve, make grocery list and go to store. Hey, Lisa, want to go to the store?

~Figure out what to get my niece.

~Purchase bottle of gin for Dad. J will most likely do this one.

~Wrap gifts, oh and find/purchase gift wrap or bags.

~Find (and put up) cheap curtains for kitchen.

~Kill husband if light fixture in kitchen is not installed by Wednesday.

~Talk self out of buying this camera. Damn it, the price went up!

~And this yarn.

Ugg.

Thankful Thursday

2008-12-18T17:34:00.002-05:00

I haven't done this in far too long.

~Friends

~J, who called half a dozen times throughout the day while he traveled. (love this!)

~Christmas with the whole family (except Camron, but I'll take what I can get) for the first time in years.

~My Dad, Mom and I are super close and my Dad is easy to overlook.

~All the technology that keeps us close to those we love. Whether it's planes to take us to them or phones so we can hear their voices, we are really blessed.

~Sock knitting!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-12-17T16:49:00.002-05:00

I liked Emily's heart today, so I thought I would find one of my own.

Huffman Historic Homes Tour

2008-12-14T11:50:00.005-05:00

Last night my family took a tour of the Huffman Historic District. A Christmas tour of historic homes has been on our seasonal "to do" list for years and this is the first time we've actually done it. The tour was very informative and fulfilled the inner voyeur. I really admire people who are willing to let strangers go through their home for a weekend. Several even had snacks set out for us. The last house (pictured below) had a delicious dessert buffet and the added bonus of touring the, still in renovation, carriage house. I'm hoping these people will adopt me and let me live in the carriage house, two story beamed ceilings, perfect kitchen and a master suite are enough to keep me happy.

The only thing that I didn't enjoy was the over the top Christmas, and sometimes bizarre decorations throughout some of the homes. I understand trying to replicate the Victorian era style, but in many homes it was a distraction from the architecture, woodwork, and stained glass windows that I was most interested in.

The best part of the tour was the restoration of the closely knit community William Huffman intended when he founded this neighborhood in the 1800's.

St. Paul United Methodist Church (1883)

This church was used as a shelter during the 1913 flood.

My MIL, Mom and Dad

Weekend Recap

2008-12-08T10:28:00.002-05:00

Friday started out pretty tough. I had spent the day with my Mom, which was good, but when I got home at 4, J was there, not good. He used to work 50-55 hrs a week, oh the glorious overtime! Not so much anymore. The last few weeks he has been lucky to get 40 hrs in and it's starting to hurt in the money, worry and male ego departments. It just makes me angry how people are being hurt by others mistakes. I was pretty angry on Friday and very worried, so much so I thought/think we should stop trying to get pregnant for a few months and see how things are then. At this point I just don't know what to do on that one, J says we'll have nine months to prepare for that and not to worry so much. Thankfully, I have until next month to think about it.

Saturday I woke up in a complete funk. I had a hair appointment, that had been scheduled months ago. I felt pretty bad spending that money, but it turned out to be good to get out. J spent that time going to my Mom's new office and fixing her computer, money in the pocket and after they were done, they did a little shopping together. I love that my Mom and husband love each other. We both came home in a more relaxed mood and settled in for a long nap. In the evening we baby sat Joy's twins. J did really well, despite his fleeing before diaper changing time.

Sunday we had lunch plans with our family at Dewey's Pizza. We were planning on a late lunch and arrived about two, only to discover Dewey's opens at 4pm on Sundays. We headed back to Kettering and went to El Torro instead. Alex brought his girlfriend, this is only the second time I've met her, but I like her, very cute and sweet. He's really happy with her and it makes me happy to see him this way. It was Knit Night, but this time on Far Hills. I was a little nervous about branching out, but I think it will be good. The first night went really well and the new location brought some new people. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.

The Christmas knitting needs to get kicked up a notch if I want it to be done by Christmas. So instead of working on any of it, I started a sweater for Molly. Does it count if I give it to her for Christmas?

Knitting With a Cloud

2008-12-03T16:38:00.002-05:00

I've been working with the alpaca/angora blend I bought at the farm last weekend. It flows through my fingers like silk. I'm making a very simple shawl for my Mom. It seems almost too simple, it's not lace or anything. I know there are beautiful, complicated patterns out there and I'm sure they are worth all the work, but they, at this stage, aren't for me. They aren't really who my mom is either. The shawl, I think and hope, is very true to who she is. It is light, soft, strong and full of comfort. It's pure pleasure knitting. Hobby or not, knitting is not always a pleasure. The size two needle shaped indention and blister that followed too much sock knitting was not pleasure.

I hope she likes it.

I Made It!

2008-11-30T09:28:00.002-05:00

It wasn't always good, thank you for reading anyway. It was kind of fun though. I like the journal aspect of blogging everyday, a simple recording of what I did or what I was thinking on a random November day is kind of nice. I would love to say I came up with something thoughtful or even funny each time, i wish I could have, but it was OK. I also wish my Ctrl button wasn't loose and didn't move under my Shift button preventing me from capitalizing letters, grrrr! Alas, onward we go into December, the most busy, stressful and often most fun/family/friend filled month of the year.

An Alpaca Filled Day

2008-11-29T17:52:00.005-05:00

Today the girls and I went to an alpaca farm out in Fairborn. I was a little hesitant about the whole thing, not really knowing what to expect at someones house, but it was a lot of fun. The property itself was beautiful. The owners have lived there for twenty years. They were looking for something they could all do together when they bought their first alpaca. Now they have thirty three. The barn is the kind of place stories should take place, old, with lots of nooks and crannies for imaginations to flow.

There were hand made items. The sweaters were so soft and warm

There were felted items also.

I bought some yarn (of course!), both from this farm and some that they traded for. I'll have to get pictures of that up tomorrow.

Overall it was just a really neat experience. The family is proud of the land and the alpacas. They have worked very hard to take good care of the animals and the love for their work shines through. This is the first year they have held an open house and although it is small, they did a nice job and I wish them lots of sales.

Four Foods on Friday

2008-11-28T19:33:00.002-05:00

#1. What’s your favorite carbonated beverage?
Root beer

#2. What’s your favorite spicy food?
Homemade salsa

#3. How do you handle hot dishes? Oven mitt, pot holder, towel?
Oven mitts

#4. Ice cream. How do you like yours?
With peanut butter sauce and whipped cream

Thankful Thanksgiving Thursday

2008-11-27T20:52:00.002-05:00

I'm so full I can barely think!

~A drama free family gathering.

~Yummy food and friends to share it with.

~J and Molly

~An afternoon spent watching Arrested Development.

~Knitting socks!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-11-26T17:55:00.003-05:00

This is what Molly does while I'm in the laundry room.

Sick

2008-11-25T21:14:00.002-05:00

I have a cold and all I want to do is curl up in bed and sleep.

Here is a list of things that bring me comfort when I'm sick.

~Tea, Emily, the Apple Crumble is all I want!

~A good book, currently reading The Magician, the Immortal Nicholas Flammel.

~Carbs, my Mom always made me toast with butter when I was sick.

~Some easy knitting, I'm craving a scarf, something thick and super soft, but it will need to wait for after Christmas.

Going to lie down now.

The Shalom

2008-11-24T20:55:00.002-05:00

Addressing some comments from yesterday. (thank you for giving me something to write about) When I have the chance in daylight I will take pictures of it. I didn't have a small enough needle to sew the snap on, otherwise I would have worn it Sunday. I promise you will all see it soon. :)

Knitting This and That

2008-11-23T20:41:00.002-05:00

I finished the Shalom a few days ago. It's a little big in the arm holes, which is frustrating, but I think it will look ok. I added snaps and a decorative button at the top instead of below the bodice as I had intended. Buttoning it at the bodice gave it a really pulled in look, and not in a good way.

I started my Mom's hat, using the You Haven't Met our Women pattern. I was reminded again though, that I can't count and chat at Knit Night without screwing something up. Thankfully it was just one row. It should be a quick knit and I want to add some other things to her package, but she really doesn't need anything.

I'm also plugging away at the Jaywalkers. My gauge is a little off. I decided to do a few decreases and hopefully they will still fit fine. I mean, they're sock, how bad can it be? (famous last words)

I need to pick up some yarn for D's fingerless gloves and get those going. I'm afraid they may take longer than I am planning on. I'm still at the "I have plenty of time" stage of thought on them.

Knitting was good tonight, a nice size group, and yay Emily is home!

Relaxed Saturday

2008-11-22T20:05:00.003-05:00

J and I went and saw the new Bond today. It was very Bond like, which I don't really love. There was something elevated in the last one with Daniel Craig that made me like it more. Or perhaps it was the scene with Daniel Craig being questioned, naked, but I digress. The heat isn't working in our car, except for the seat warmers which leaves the rest of my body jealous and confused, the theater was also freezing, so by the time we got home all I wanted was to be warm. I put on jammies and climbed under the down comforter, ahhhhhh! Then I napped for four hours and only way up when J woke me. I guess I needed some sleep. So I'm sure I'll be up half the night now, but it was worth it.

Four Foods on Friday

2008-11-21T21:51:00.002-05:00

#1. What’s the worst tasting food you’ve ever eaten?
Canned beets, my Dad made me try them when I was a kid. He told me if I didn't like them I could spit them out in his hand, much to his surprise I did just that.

#2. Share a funny or embarrassing story about a meal you’re made.
Not a meal, but I made a cake once with twice as much butter than was supposed to be in it. It must have weighted five pounds. My husband called it "mistake cake".

#3. What food do you burn or have problems cooking most often?
Rice, I blame my stove though.

#4. Name two foods you’ll be eating on this Thanksgiving.
Turkey and stuffing!

Thankful Thursday

2008-11-20T19:12:00.001-05:00

~Friends, near and far

~"Shakey" snow globe snow

~Smell of, and taste of for that matter, fresh baked bread

~An almost done paper

~FO's

~Molly, she looked so cute with snow on her nose.

A Knitting Meme

2008-11-19T21:39:00.003-05:00

What is your all time favourite yarn to knit with?

Alpaca, hands down, I just love how soft it is.

Your favourite needles?

Addi turbos, I use circs for everything at this point and these are the best.

The worst thing you've ever knit?

My first scarf, it's such nice yarn, but it's just kind of awful.

Your most favourite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)

French Market Bag, simple and mindless.

Most valuable knitting technique?

Increases, I remember when I first started to knit I thought I would never learn them and would always have to make straight things. In a more advanced way, short row heels.

Best knit book or magazine?

Interweave Knits, I love how wearable everything is.

Your favourite knit-a-long?

Never done one.

Your favourite knitblogs?

I love Yarn Harlot and my friends blogs, I think I need to add some more knitting blogs to my daily read.

Your favourite knitwear designer?

Kate Gilbert, I just love her flair.

The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)

My socks have gotten a lot of wear lately, also fingerless gloves.

(From So Much Yarn, So Little Time)

The Holidays Are Coming!

2008-11-18T20:07:00.002-05:00

Growing up I loved Christmas. Not only did I get two weeks off of school, but there were all the fun holiday traditions my Mom and Dad had established. (and there were presents, but of course I was never that materialistic) My Dad would decorate the inside and outside of the house, candles in the windows, garland on the railings and over the doors, lights outside. We would spend an evening decorating the tree, the perfect tree, that my Dad had picked out. On Christmas Eve we would go to church for the candlelight service and then watch A Christmas Carol (the George C. Scott one) or It's A Wonderful Life. In the morning we were allowed to open out stockings before our parents got up, but had to wait for them for everything else. After presents my Mom would make a special breakfast. I loved it, all of it, I would look forward to it all year.

As an adult I've tried to hold on to all those special things, tried to make my own traditions, but my husband is pretty indifferent to Christmas. He doesn't have all the great holiday memories that I do. It has said over and over that "it's just a day". After his parents moved away he was sad without them, missing them extra during those family times. We spend one Christmas dinner alone together and he cried over his loneliness.

Now his parents will be home for Christmas for the first time in years and he wants to leave, to go to Cleveland and spend Christmas with his grandparents, who we are frankly, just not close to. I can't help but feel like the holidays of my youth are lost to me now. Now Christmas is stress and worries and fighting, and I hate it.

Ugg.

Both Sides of People

2008-11-17T22:05:00.003-05:00

In class today this amazingly ignorant woman announced that due to all the gay people in the world she didn't feel safe letting her daughter go to the womens restroom alone. As if all the lesbians in the world are just waiting to molest her precious offspring. I sat there in complete shock, sure I had heard her wrong. My friend Liz confirmed later that I hadn't. Geez.

I had the cutest/funniest conversation with a Walgreens cashier today. He reminded me of Coffee Guy, that silly sweetness. He told me all about how he was putting himself through school and all the pros and cons of working at Walgreens. Although I had gone in to buy Aleve to fight killer cramps, I came out smiling.

The good and bad I guess.

Two Weeks Down

2008-11-16T22:35:00.002-05:00

Some have been good, some not so much, but I have made it two weeks. Yay for me!

I am so madly in love with the Shalom, I'm almost afraid to say it. I didn't get as much done tonight as I had hoped since Lisa and I left early to go to Dolcessa and see Alex. No car trouble tonight, thank God. Alex is in such a good happy place right now, I hope he can stay there and add school back in next quarter. I want so much for him, but I know life is hard and rarely turns out the way you expect it to.

I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving and then Christmas is so close after that. The quarter is almost done and I am honestly just flat out relieved. It has been so much less stressful since dropping the math class. School feels completely endless right now, like I'm on a school treadmill where you never go forward, just on and on, while staying exactly where you were before.

(Off to knit a few more rows before bed)

I'm Not Good at Thrifting

2008-11-15T20:16:00.002-05:00

Instead of going to Troy, we had lunch and went to some thrift stores. I wish I could say I found all these cool things I can show and tell at knitting, but alas no. I'm just don't have the skills it seems to take to find the good stuff. I think it really is just a lack of patience, and the smell is weird, like old people. I found a few sweaters I thought about reclaiming, but after carrying them around I just put them back, I lost the will to buy.

Well, in the middle of writing this Camron called and we all talked for almost two hours. It was so good to talk to him and I got off the phone and cried. I think I'm just feeling overly emotional, what else is new.

Ugg, pointless blog today.

A Cozy Kind of Day

2008-11-14T21:30:00.004-05:00

Today was one of those days that seemed chilly when in fact it really wasn't. None the less I showered and put my jammies bottoms and sweater on and settled in for a day of housework and paper writing. The paper took so much longer than I thought it would. I only got a third of it done. I have to read journal articles, summarize them and then answer some questions. This sounded so easy, but I didn't think about the fact that these are written by scientists and doctors for others of their kind.

Last night I made a yummy Italain stew and I thought you'all might enjoy the recipe. Chris it's a meat free dish.

Italian Tortellini Stew
9 cups

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 rib celery, finely chopped (omitted due to my hatred of it)
1 onion, chopped
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 (15.5-ounce) can Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 (32-ounce) container ready-to-serve chicken broth (Iused more like 40 oz)
2 tablespoons dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
1 (8-ounce) package dried cheese-filled tortellini
I also added garlic

In a soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add carrot, celery, and onion, and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in tomatoes, beans, chicken broth, basil, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 30 minutes.
Add zucchini and tortellini then bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, or until tortellini are tender.

I've been moving right along on the Shalom. I finished the yoke tonight, so know it's time to move into the mindless body. I don't mind this kind of knitting, it allows my thoughts to travel elsewhere.

Tomorrow a return trip to Troy, since D was jealous that we had so much fun without her last week. Can I leave town without buying yarn?

Sam-if we didn't already have a car full I'd stop and pick you up. I promise to drink something hot and yummy for you.

Thankful Thursday

2008-11-13T21:14:00.001-05:00

Here is a quickie, enjoy!

~ Family dinners
~Morning sun, evening rain
~Drinks with new friends

Random Wednesday

2008-11-12T20:05:00.003-05:00

I don't have a lot to say about much, but do have a little to say about some things.

1) I'm reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, I both love and hate it. It envelopes you and yet you spend each page wondering if something bad will happen next. I love Edgar and and Almondine and the other dogs and I want to keep them safe on the pages.

2) My MIL has asked J and I to have dinner with my BIL and his girlfriend. This would be the woman he was seeing right after his separation and probably during his marriage. I don't think much of him, so I'm not sure why I should bother with her.

3) The Shalom is moving along slowly, but I like it.

4) I'm hitting dead ends while trying to find journal articles for a psych paper, ugg!

5) Sephora order is here!

My Grandpa

2008-11-11T20:18:00.002-05:00

The only grandpa I ever knew was on my Dad's side. My Mom's Dad died when she was sixteen. My grandfather was a complicated man, although I doubt if he was around to ask he would agree with that. He died sixteen years ago, but I don't hink I would have known him any better now than i did then.

I was around eight when I found out he used to beat my Dad on a regular basis. I saw the scars on his back, and thinking they were some kind of back wrinkle "old" people got I laughed. My Mom explained that they were from a belt and that Grandpa had done it. I remember being embarrassed to have laughed, sad and shocked. I got the story in bits and pieces as the years went on. That my grandparents had a difficult marriage, that my grandfather drank, that my grandmother left her boys alone with him so she could get away. My grandmother had severe depression, she was treated with electroshock therapy that wiped out the memory of my Dad and his brothers. It would be very easy to blame one or the other of them for what happened or how they reacted to it, but of course they shared the blame in all of that mess that created five sons. As an adult my Dad confronted his father about the abuse. My grandfather claimed no memory of it, said he was sorry if that was what happened. I don't think he ever said anything to his mother. I do now the grief he felt when his father died was not comparable to the matter of fact way he dealt with losing his mother.

My grandfather was in WWII and he always described that time as the best years of his life. As and adult my Dad would talk on the phone with grandpa and he would tell him stories of the War. It was until after he died that we found his metals, a purple heart and silver star. He had shrapnel blown into his chest during one battle, but refused to ever have it removed, he just kept going. He was in the second wave at Normandy, he heard General Patton's speech to the troops.

When I try to add all these things up in my mind I come up with a whole man. Painfully, horribly flawed, but those years were not the whole of what defined him. I don't have a lot of memories of him, but I do picture him smiling when I think of him. My Dad shared this story at his funeral. When his Dad would come from work, when all the boys were little, they would run to the kitchen and encircle him for hugs. He would always laugh and tell them they had steamed up his classes. It's such a small thing, and sad to think that is the only really good memory to share, but it's something. Something to cling to and know he wasn't all bad.

Under the Category of People Who Have Too Much Time on Their Hands

2008-11-10T20:56:00.003-05:00

If you need a giggle, check out the other costumes.

Knitting Christmas Gifts/Grandma's non Birhtday

2008-11-09T22:31:00.003-05:00

I feel alittle shy about this. It's as if I'm making someone enjoy knitwear by giving it to them. Tjat's pretty silly though, since the people I am thinking of knitting for, with the exception of my mother in law, don't need and think everything I make is wonderful and magical. I want to keep it to smallish things, socks, cowls, my Mom wants a hat. It also means yarn shopping, yay! This would also be family budgeted since it is for gifts, not just from my personal spending fund. I hadn't given my MIL much thought, since she knits, but she very sweetly and shyly asked me tonight if I would make her something.

In other news and thoughts of the day. Yesterday was my Grandma's birhtday, not today like Mom thought. Grandma was born in a cabin in the hills of KY 87 yrs ago, and apparently the midwife wasn't paying too close attention to the clock. For her first fifty years Grandma thought her birthday was the 8th, but when she began collection Social Security she discovered her legal birthday was the 9th. I also think she mizes it up every year to confuse us. I got her my now standard gift, scratch off lottery tickets. She loves them and often wins small amounts of money. I get a cut if she hits it big.

Woo hoo! I wasn't sure I was going to make it today before midnight.

Ewetopia

2008-11-08T21:36:00.003-05:00

Today was the first time in months that Mom and I got to spend time with Kim and Chrissy. Chrissy been cheer leading, which is a life/time sucker. Tipp City was having it's Christmas celebration, which meant everything was packed. We managed to get a a table at Harrison's, it was yummy and the server was so sweet to Christina. After that we squeezed our way through the toy store and then left. I had made a passing mention of wanting to go to Troy while we were up that way. No ulterior motive at all, I swear. Of course, by then we were freezing and had the need for warm drinks, Night Sky Coffee house was in order. Time got away from me though and at ten to five I rushed over to Ewetopia. One of the owners, Tina, was working and she was so sweet, helping me pick out yarn and staying after hours. I did some hauling, more that I intended of course, I got some Happy Feet sock yarn (love the name) and some Lamb's Pride to make the Shalom cardigan. Poor Central Park Hoodie is crying out of loneliness in it's bag. There so many cute shops in Troy that I wanted to go in. Oh pity, I'll have to go back soon.

Four Foods on Friday

2008-11-07T21:01:00.002-05:00

#1. Name a food you like that uses a red sauce or anything red in it.
~whole wheat pasta and tomato sauce

#2. Name a food you like with whipped cream in it or on it.
~pie

#3. Name a food you like with blueberry in it.
~muffins

#4. Share a recipe for pasta or dessert or a beverage.

Wonder Bars
1 and 1/3 sticks butter
2 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 and 3/4 cups flour
2 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1-2 pkg chips of choice

Melt butter
Add sugar and dry ingredients
Fold in chips
Spread in 9x13 pan
Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees