and then there is December

"Maturity is the capacity to endure uncertainty."

~John Finley

I truly love the holidays and I've decided why I enjoy the holidays.  

I love knitting.  

I love yarns and fibers and new patterns.  

I love cables.  

I love it when people stop at my table at lunchtime and "oh" and "ah" because they just "can't do that."  

I love easy knits and I love complicated knits where my kids start whispering "don't bother her, she's counting."  

I love making things that I can felt.  

I also love the idea that if I really don't like what I am knitting or the pattern is too stupid to continue, I can stop and rip the whole thing out.  

But the one thing that I love the most, is that I don't knit gifts for Christmas.  Ignore the previous post.  Really.  This is my new mantra.  For one thing, everything that I had knit previously has already been worn and used.

No one needs to hold their breath wondering what super fabulous thing that they are going to get from me or whether I am going to be knitting them another hideous sweater.  I have been known to knit a wine tote, which I use as a host/hostess gift while giving wine to a friend at Christmas.  But that wine tote was probably made in July or February.  It wasn't knit because we were invited to a party and I have two weeks and what the heck . . . it was because I had it there. Hmm, go figure.  

I have been known to apply myself and make a knitted sweater and booties for a baby shower.  I've also been known to think about making a baby sweater and booties and going to Target and buying onesies and diapers instead.  

I have knitting friends and family that start knitting on December 26th for the following December 25th.  They make themselves CRAZED.  

Really, truly, I have enough things in my life to make me crazed without putting that kind of stress in my life.  

Family things.  

Work things (budget season scheduled to end just before the holidays!!!  Really!!  Why can't they change the fiscal year end to October 31?).  (and here are some pics of my office) . . . note the bottle of Tylenol.  Actually, I am in the middle of doing year-end cleaning so it usually doesn't look this bad . . . sometimes, its worse.

Social things.  As it is, my family (speaking hubby and kids) laugh because I take knitting everywhere.  As my hubby has been known to say "we are only going to be in the car for 15 minutes.  You really need to bring 'that' with you?"  Duh.  He doesn't know about the secret knitting stash in the van that is there for emergencies.  What if the car would break down.

My sister for my birthday spun me some fabulous yarn. I'm planning on knitting up something for me.  I'm thinking about starting on December 26th.  Just for the fun of it.

Oh, and just so you think I've not been knitting, I have.  And this is a perfect pic because it doesn't look like much of anything but it is the only gift that I am making this year.  But it isn't for Christmas either.  By the way, the color on this pic is lousy.  It isn't gray.  Its a another color.  A knitting thing of another color.  

busy Fall . . .

So, I've been working on winter warmth.  Hats and scarves.  I think I mentioned this before.  Jared Flood's patterns for hats and scarves.  

And here are some of them.

I am working on the scarf for this.  The repeat on the yarn goes from light yellow to deep purple with reddish undertones.  The solid color is dark purple.

It really looks better than the pick shows and the scarf is about halfway done.  I did a ribbing on the bottom of the scarf and will do ribbing at the other end.  It makes it a nice finish.  I despise fringe.



This one is black with Noro Silk Garden in blues and greens.  The pic doesn't do it justice.  The scarf is a tad on the short side because I ran out of the Noro.  I am going to try and find another skein but I got this from my stash so it may end up being mine.

This one and the matching scarf are for Zachariah.  It isn't going to be much of a surprise since he watched me knit it.  He loves yarns and fibers.

Last week, I was in Denver at a conference of Worldwide Employee Relocation Council.  It was exhausting.  I arrived in Denver after 6:00 p.m. (Mountain) and went to Morton's for dinner with some wonderful people who provide services to my company.  The next morning started with a 7:00 a.m. breakfast and ended with after 10:00 p.m.  Thursday started at 8:00 but ended after midnight.  The one company we work with had a very special evening at Red Rock outside of Denver.  Here are some not so good pics.

If you have never been there, it is well worth the trip.  They hold concerts in the open pavilion.  While we were there some very energetic young men and women were training by running up and down these open steps.  I watched.

Fall, knitting, weather, knitting

I love Fall.  I love the crispness in the air.  I love walking in the park and kicking leaves.  I love the cooler nights and sleeping with the windows open and using a blanket.  I even love the mad dash to the bathroom in the mornings when the windows are still open and our bedroom is "crisp" too.

This year has been, so far, the second wettest year in Cleveland's recorded history.  As of yesterday, we had 51 inches of precipitation and it was only October 4.  The record is 53 inches.  Usually, in the last quarter of the year, we get approximately 8 inches of precipitation (rain or snow).  We are going to break the record.  While part of me is excited (I do so love breaking records) another part of me is totally peeved.  We went from 90 degree temps to 50.  Now, I don't mind 50.  What I didn't like about 50 is the freaking rain.  And, for the record, I deplore umbrellas.  All my coats have hoods.  I work in downtown Cleveland at 9th and Lakeside and it is windy.  In fact, the one time when we had clients in from  Chicago, they complained to me about the wind . . . the one guy said that every time he had been in Cleveland, he thought that we deserved the title of Windy City over Chicago's claim.

So, getting back to this weather thing, instead of having a crisp Fall, so far, we have had a cold, wet, damp Fall.  At the park on Sunday, there was no kicking of the leaves, it was more like slopping through the muck.  And, as we all know, wet leaves stink.

On the other hand, I have been getting some serious knitting done.  I made a hat for myself and one for Zachariah, using Jared Flood's pattern called "Turn a Square."  Zachariah's is in green and golds (the yarn was knitpicks).  Mine is black and multi colored reds (the yarn is knitpicks and Noro Silk Garden).  I also did a scarf for Zachariah and am working on one for me.  In the matching pattern called Noro Striped Scarf. The cool thing about these patterns and the multi use of different yarns is that it feeds my knitters' ADHD but is simple enough that I can do it while watching tv, riding the bus, eating lunch with my friends.

I also made a baby bunting thing and matching hat.  My niece (who is 39) is pregnant with her and her husband's first child.  They both have children from previous relationships but the youngest of the older three will be 18 this month.  Amy and Ron were married in 2009 and just told everyone that they weren't planning on kids but, as we all know, it is easier to sing that song than to have everyone asking you "Well, any knews yet?" Dave and I went through that whole wonderful experience so it is really a good plan to say, we aren't planning and then being joyfully surprised when hopes and dreams are realized.  They are both so very happy and I am so very happy for both of them.

And, someday, I will break out my camera and take pictures.

and peace insues

or something . . .

There is something glorious about the beginning of the school year.  Since Dave is a school teacher, he is home during the summer and, to be honest, I start off the summer being overly careful in closing doors, making noise, etc.  By the end of the summer, I am not necessarily that careful.  Oops. 

We got Lindsey settled at the University of Dayton and she seems to be settling in very well.  Of course, and it is only the second week and she is coming home this weekend.  Since she doesn't have a car, we told her that she needed to be proactive in finding a ride, etc.  She was and did.  Amazing.  And, while I would like to think that she would want to come home to see us, I know that the truth is more that she wants to come home to see her friends.  But I can live with that.

I have been knitting some stuff but haven't taken any pics lately.  I did a hat for Lindsey and mittens.  I want to make a hat and mittens for Zachariah for Christmas.  I have the yarn and patterns.  But mostly what I have been knitting is dishcloths and back-scrubby things.  The local knitting guild is having a table/booth at one of the area's artfests and they were looking for people to knit things to sell. 

mid August Blues

Went on vacation in June (two weeks in Canada).

Zachariah went to camp in July (one week)

Lindsey leaves for University of Dayton in eight days . . . not that anyone is counting.  She is doing her best to make everyone miserable.  Maybe its God's little way of making the separation more bearable.  She has become inconsiderate, selfish and annoying.  Zachariah looked at me last evening, leaned in and whispered "I'm not going to miss her."  I am sure that isn't true because he is usually totally in awe of everything his big sis does.  But this summer, she has made him promises and then broken them so many times that it isn't worth counting. 

She has decided that she has to take ALL of her clothes.  Please understand that Dayton is three hours from our home.  She is going to be home Labor Day weekend, Fall Break (October 5 - 9) and at Thanksgiving.  She wanted to know what happened to her new phone and I told her that I since I have to rent a trailer to take all her junk to school, I returned the phone.  I guess she isn't going to miss me either.

Post Prom Dress fun

Lindsey and two of her friends decided to get dressed up in their Prom dresses and go out for the evening.  Their theory is that they spent a lot of money on those dresses and they may as well have a great time again.  I am sure that they got many a strange look AND probably some security guards were following them.  They went to Crocker Park (Westlake, OH).  It is an outside shopping center with lots of wonderful small shops (and some bigger ones . . . Barnes and Noble), restaurants, theater, apartments, offices and really a fun place to just wander around . . . wearing Prom dresses or just jeans.

One of the fun parts of Crocker Park is that from April until late October, there are really nice chairs and tables and such outside on the sidewalks by many of the stores.

Lindsey, Vicki and Emily . . . lounging

 I am actually surprised that a security guard didn't tell them that they had to get down off the wall!  Their "story" was that they were from the Junior Miss Ohio Contest . . .

The other part of the fun was that they kept running into people they know. 

Let's go shopping!

And they ate at Chipolte.  I just can't imagine!

latest knitting stuff

Ha, I have been knitting.  I made a hat and mittens for Lindsey.  Here is the hat in the works.  It is now finished but I don't have a pic yet.

My new favorite thing to knit . . . beads and cord and size 0 needles . . . great fun.  This is a key fob.  I got the kit from Earthfaire.  This is great, great fun.    

I am also knitting a bunch of cloths to be sold at our Guild table at a local Art Fest.  100% cotton, machine washable, mindless knitting.  I'm good at mindless knitting.

Summer is flying by.  It is amazing how fast the time is going by.  Of course, we have been especially busy between graduation, end of school stuff, countless graduation parties and vacation.  This coming Saturday, we are going to Cedar Point.  The following weekend we have another graduation party and a baby shower and then it will be August.  Phew.

Vacation - Finally

This spring has worn me out.  I was the After Prom chair.  In the past 18 months our Firm has opened offices in Boston, Sao Paulo, three in Saudi and is planning on opening another in India.  We have been moving people everywhere.  I had just moved a partner from Brussels to Tokyo and he moved into permanent housing when the earthquake hit.  There has been so much stuff going on . . . prom, work, prom, graduation, work, work, graduation parties (six in the last three weekends), etc.

I need a vacation . . . oh, wait, we are on one.  We are at Georgian Manor in Collingwood, Ontario.  It isn't a bad drive from Cleveland.  About seven hours.  We will be here for awhile and then spend sometime in Niagara Falls on our way home. 

I will have to work a bit every day but that is okay.  I can do that.  I still get to sleep in, relax, swim every day.

And, oh yeah, did I mention that Dave was laid off.  Since the vacation was paid for, except for the gas, we decided to go ahead and pretend that our life will be normal . . . is normal.  And, he fully expects to be called back in August.

Walk of the Roses

The obligatory family photo. 

 Lindsey and her good friend Vicki with Dr. Cantwell.  Dr. Cantwell came as an interim principal this year.  He was fabulous.  The Board tried to convince him to stay but being an interim principal is his "thing."  You would think that someone that was just filling in wouldn't be as involved.  He showed up at athletic events.  He met the girls at the front door almost every morning.  At least once and often more times a week, he joined different girls for lunch.  He showed up at After Prom at 2:00 a.m. . . . this after being at the Prom from 5:30 until 12:30 a.m.  What a guy.  In one year, he has put his footprint on the school and the students. 

Vicki, Emily, Sarah and Lindsey . . . going to University of Cincinnati, Bowling Green, Loyola of Chicago and University of Dayton.

The students walk from the Academy to Our Lady of Angels (about 1/2 mile).  The police close the street.  They have been doing this for 120+ years.  It is called the Walk of the Roses.  Most of the neighborhood comes out and cheers them on, along with parents, grandparents, family and friends.  It is very impressive.  The walk is led by a bagpiper, followed by the teachers, administrators and finally the students.  And here is Lindsey.

a couple more prom pics

Lindsey shared a couple more pics with me from her and Andrew's proms.

The geeks go to prom

Andrew's prom was in downtown Cleveland at a hotel directly across from the Peace Memorial fountain.  Here are the girls hoping off of the fountain wall. 



The prom . . . the dress . . .

Lindsey attended Andrew's prom on May 29.  As a side note, yes, it was a Sunday.  And yes, only an all boy's school would schedule a prom for a Sunday when there aren't many places that the girls could go to get their hair done.  On the other hand, they got great deals on limos, the location and the photographer. 

Lindsey actually said that his prom was better than her prom, but her After Prom was much better than his.  Of course, I was in charge of her After Prom so she had better think so.  She did have great logic for the reasons though.  We had substantially more things to do (inflatables, casino, corn-hole, basketball, volleyball, crafts, movies, Wii, etc.) and our program ran longer (until 3:30 a.m.). 

But the most important thing was that Lindsey made her dress.  In the beginning, she didn't want me to stray too far but ended up doing it all herself.  Even if she had to do lots of ripping out.  She hand sewed all the beads on the dress bodice and gladly showed everyone her thumbs from the needle.  She made the purse and sewed beads on it but then decided that she didn't like the beads and took them all off. 

Here are some pics:

Lindsey and Andrew in his front yard

Lindsey modeling her dress . . . she is entering it in a contest. 

And this is their group of friends that went together.  All the boys graduated from St. Ignatius.  The young man to the far right is a very good friend and he and Lindsey have been friends since they were 3 or 4.  He is planning on becoming a priest.  Trust me, his Dad was freaking out over the young lady he was taking to Prom.  I told him that Mary is wonderful young woman and Joe does need to date before he gives it all up.

Lindsey and Andrew in the customary pose in front of the fireplace.  Did I ever mention how talented she is.  If you can see the two drawings over her left shoulder (the birds and the car), she drew those.  Probably three years ago. 

And girls are really great fun, especially when you ahve really good friends who show up to cheer you on when you are going to another prom.  These are some of Lindsey's very best friends, Sarah, Vicki and Emily. 

And on Andrew's back porch.













And this is Lindsey and Shayn.  Lindsey has known Shayn through Youth Ministry at our Church.  Shayn is entering her senior year at the University of Dayton and was instrumental in convincing Lindsey to visit the campus (a huge plus since Lindsey wasn't sure about it) and also is a wonderful role model.  Shayn is working on a degree in environmental biology and is spending this summer volunteering with the UD ministry at a mission in Kentucky or Tennessee. 

Tonight is graduation.

One Prom down . . . one to go . . .

Lindsey's Prom for her school was this past Saturday.  I have to admit that I got a bit more than mushy . . . especially when I happened to be watching Andrew's face as Lindsey came down the steps and he just sucked in his breath and whispered "gosh, you are beautiful." 

This pic was taken shortly after Lindsey's 2nd birthday.  She joined our family when she was 22 months old.  At the time, she had been having seizures, living on the streets and was really and truly a holy terror.  She wanted her mommy . . . even though her mommy was the absolute worst thing for her.  Her mommy is my niece.  My niece by the way, hasn't seen Lindsey, or for that matter, her other children, since any of them were removed from her custody.  Zachariah was removed from her custody when he was four months old and placed with us, five years after Lindsey.

In any event, I have been having fun going through pics and finding those that are some of my favorite.  I did a collage thing for her graduation party and these are some of my favorite of her.

I remember clearly that Zachariah was devastated when Lindsey went off to camp and no one, no one could calm him down, except Lindsey.  He is going to camp for the first time this summer.  But I just wonder what is going to happen when we pull away from Dayton on August 21 . . .



and her 10th birthday . . . she hated that her birthday was in March and she couldn't have a swimming party . . . so we waited until summer for her 10th birthday. 

She was all of 13 when she raided her sister's closet for this dress.  She thought that I would let her wear it to her 8th grade graduation.  Ha!

Her first "official date" with Andrew was the 2009  Winter Formal.  Aren't they cute? 

Kind of a frightening thing that they have been together for two years. 

Of course, the following year for winter formal, they didn't look that much older.  But they were pushing their way to their senior year of high school, making college visits and decisions and devastated when we told them they would NOT be going to the same college.

And last year, we had Sarah's wedding and Lindsey looked almost angelic as she practiced walking up the aisle. 

And of course, then we have the senior photos.  When did she grow up?

And the joy of being a Senior at Saint Joseph Academy.  Fall started off with a bang and Lindsey did so well.  National Honor Society, University of Dayton,

And the "Team Dynamite" not only finished 3rd in the State, but they went on to the National F1 Engineering competition in Ann Arbor . . . and this is what was posted on the school's website:

Calling themselves "Team Dynamite,” the students were the only all-female team at the competition, an international contest open to all secondary schools and other organized youth groups. Their task was to design and manufacture CO2 powered model racing cars. F1 in Schools, Inc. is a non-profit company "committed to providing an exciting yet challenging educational experience through the magnetic appeal of

Formula One.” In the process, "the students learn about physics, aerodynamics, design, marketing and team work, to name a few skills,” said Math Department Chair Mr. John Lesko.

In addition to competing at the National Race, the SJA team placed first in the presentation portion of the April competition and third in the engineering portion. "Our students are thrilled at the prospect of being able to compete at the national level,” said Mr. Lesko. This college event drew 120 teams from the best colleges around the country.

They were the first team from SJA to ever place high enough in the finals to go on to the National competition. 
 
But then there is this. 
 
SJA's Prom was Saturday, May 21. 

Andrew's prom is this coming Sunday (only an all boys' school would schedule a prom for a day when most hair salon's are closed).  Lindsey made her dress for Andrew's prom, well, she is almost done.  There is still some beads to be sewn on and it needs to be hemmed.  Other than that it is done, including that she made a purse.

When did they grow up.  I still remember holding her for the first time and trying to comfort that holy terror that didn't understand why her life was turned upside down.  Forget Zachariah, what am I going to do when we leave her at Dayton on August 21?