Erich and Caity.

My nephew Erich and his bride Caity. 

He proposed to her at an Indians game the summer of 2008. 

He wanted his brothers to be there for his wedding.  His oldest brother. Tommy, is in the Navy, stationed in Pensacola.

His younger brother, Ryan, is in the Air Force, stationed in Oklahoma City, but recently in Venezuela. 

All the plans were in place, leaves were approved, Tommy got home on Thursday, December 17, in time for the wedding on Friday, December 18.

Unfortunately, Ryan's leave was post-poned until Monday, December 21.

Erich and Caity were married on Friday, December 18.

They are beautiful.  Young.  In love . . . . and exceptionally happy.

Oh, and the baby is due on February 18. 

Erich is also scheduled to ship out to Afghanistan in May.  Sigh. 

Pray, pray, pray that this ends.


oh, yes, and if anyone is counting, this is the third wedding in our family since the end of June!

Swim team Christmas celebration

The swim team . . . over Christmas break, they are doing two a days . . . morning practice from 9:00 to 11:00 and afternoon practice from 4:00 to 6:00.  On Monday, they (most of the team . . . 22 girls in all), came to my house for breakfast/lunch/Christmas celebration.  They also did a "sock" exchange.  Not hand-knit socks, but they had a blast nevertheless. 

At one point, my family room looked like a "mosh pit."

This is my daughter, Lindsey, with her best friend, Jessica.  They are both Juniors.  She and Jessica are perfect counterparts.  They both have great senses of humor, don't take themselves too seriously and are natural leaders.  They care alot about the underclasswomen and make sure that everyone is included.  Plus, they are both good, solid swimmers.

Some of the freshmen . . . About fifteen minutes later, they were all sleeping.  I had to wake them up to get them to their afternoon practice.

Arghhh.

Swimming, swimmers and other fun stuff

Okay, so if you haven't ever had a swimmer, runner, jogger, ice skater, dancer, hockey player, etc., you wouldn't probably understand this post. 

My darling 15 year old has upped the ante on her swimming this year.  She made a commitment early in the summer and asked if she would be able to do some more serious training for swim team.  This commitment meant that every morning, six days a week, from the beginning of July until school started in mid-August, Lindsey swam from 6:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m., followed by upwards of 45 minutes of "dry land" workouts.  Once school started, she did workouts from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., followed by upwards of 45 minutes of dry land workouts. 

As they say, the proof is in the pudding.  Last week, she won two firsts and two seconds.  On Friday, the 400 Free Relay team that she is on broke the school's record at 4:06.87.  Today, she won a first in her 500 and two seconds in the 100 free style and 200 free relay.  Totally awesome.  The 500 is her "thing."  Her goal is to get under 6 minutes and, actually, she wants to break the school record this year, which means she needs to get it under 5:25.20.  Totally doable.

I have to tell you, however, I was timing during the meet tonight.  I was not timing her lane which was a good thing.  She was lapping the other swimmers.  She started strong and stayed strong.  And, after hugging her bestest swimming buddy, she fell into my arms.  You know there are just some times when it is good to be on the deck and not in the stands.

Message from Santa

Check this out:

http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/691c9269a6498b53246d63666c7e2816

I need my Mom

Okay, so there I am driving Lindsey around as we had to hit a variety of stores.  One of which was Joann's.  And it struck me.  I need my Mom.  She would be able to tell me to not stress, everything would be fine, and I could bring the dress and beads and fabric and we would just sit down and get it done . . . just like that. 

Instead, my daughter thinks I'm nuts.  Because, being the totally insane person that I am, I got all teary eyed.  Seriously.  I looked at her and said "I don't think I can do magical things to Sarah's dress" and she, being the kind and considerate and incredibly normal 15 year old looked at me and laughed.  She laughed.  Out loud.

The reason she laughed is because I made her dress for homecoming.  It was a Vogue pattern.  But she wanted it sort of almost like the pattern, but a little different, please mom, you can do it for me . . . And the end result was that the dress is about 12 inches (seriously) less full than the pattern called for, it wasn't supposed to be a halter and because she is a swimming fiend, I waited until the Sunday before to put it all together.  She is solid muscle which is a strange combination for swimmers.  She and her swimming buddies (and these are serious swimmers) have the most strangest of complaints.  Their waists get bigger during the swim season . . . I have explained to her that it isn't that their waists get bigger but their waist to hip ratio changes, and, of course, they end up with the buff arms and shapely legs.

The end result, however, was this: 

So, after pulling this off, I guess I can do the beading and fabric replacement and hemming for Sarah's dress.  Does anyone want to come over for the day and we can hang out and get it done?

so much to do so little time

I am going to a fundraiser this evening.

I want to take my knitting.

My daughter will frown.

Do I care?

wedding dress

My 23 year old daughter has found her wedding dress.  I have to say that more than once today, my eyes filled with tears, and if it wasn't for Jessica, I would have ended up making a mess of myself.

Sarah ended up with a beautiful dress that cost substantially less than would have otherwise cost us.  She ended up with a wonderful dress that with, a little added "stuff" by Mom, will be an absolutely perfect dress.  AND, it cost, DRUM ROLL PLEASE . . . $134!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How cool is that.  Of course, I will probably spend another $50 in making it "perfect.."

Be the kind of woman

One of my Whoduknit pals had the following quote on an email.  I think it is my new favorite theme and am thinking about putting it on a bag, a mug and a t-shirt (even though I don't wear t-shirts).

Be the kind of woman

that when your feet hit the floor each morning,

the devil says "Oh crap, She's up!"

thinking about it . . .

One of the things I like about knit groups (both the online kind and the brick/mortar kind) is the encouragement and ideas that everyone is willing to share. 

For example, Jane mentioned her love of wool and how she made a beautiful beret, which when wet, grew too big so she felted it a bit.  Ta da . . . instead of having to redo, she solved what could have been a hideous problem with a simple technique and has a beautiful hat, which is probably also a tad warmer because of the mini-felting.  I, on the other hand, would have thrown the silly thing across the room!

Last night at the knit group at Book and Bean (Berea, Ohio by Baldwin Wallace College), we do a lot  of sharing and feeling up each others' yarn.  There is always someone that has a question or an issue or concern about how to do something.  We schlep finished stuff to share, tell each other about good buys and when a new knitting product (like KnitPicks Zephyr needles) come out, whomever succombs first to a purchase is more than happy to let everyone test drive it!

Speaking of yarn (was I speaking of yarn), I was thinking about an idea this morning.  I remember my Mom and Grandma buying yarn at The May Company or Zayre's.  I don't know what kinds there were there but probably less than what is at WalMart.  They would have both loved the kinds and varieties available now.  I know they would have both been enthralled with self-striping yarns and silk and cashmere.  I can also see my Grandma laughing over the idea of intentionally shrinking wool.  I remember her giving my Mom a sweater that had gotten shrunk so that my Mom could use the sweater as a warm liner for a jacket.  My Mom cut off the panels (fronts and back) and sewed these panels to the lining of the jacket that she made for my Dad. 

And sometimes when I am knitting and, especially if I am wearing my Mom's wedding ring, I see her hands and can pretend that she is there. 

Whoduknit Halloween Swap

This week was rather hideous.  My son had the flu.   I was scheduled for my mammogram, which I slept through . . . not the mammogram but the appointment.  My van stopped working (something with the computer which is fortunate since it only cost $158 rather than another $1,100 which I spent on it two weeks ago . . . oh, and the air-conditioning still doesn't work). 

But, today, I came into work.  And found this on my desk:

It is my package from Claire, my Whoduknit Trick or Treat Swap person.  It is totally awesome and you wouldn't believe the great stuff she jammed into this box and, frankly, these pictures don't do her justice:

The beautiful varigated yarn on the right is Plymouth Yarn Mushishi (95% wool, 5% silk) and, yes, it is as big as it looks with a whopping 491 yards.  I'm thinking about just drapping it around my neck.  It is luscious!

There was also a pattern from Plymouth Yarn using the Mushishi and will make fingerless Gloves, leggings and hat.  Along with the knitting needles to use to make it (Clover bamboo cables)

The other skein of brown yarn is 217 yards of Berroco Vintage wool.  It is very soft and warm and the color is more like a dark chocolate.  There was a book of patterns to use the Vintage wool . . . and the right size knitting needles to make any of the hats in the book.

There were also two crochet magazines

I have already identified a couple of things I want to make from each . . . Did you know that you could crochet socks?!?!?!?!?  Woo hoo!

There is also a book called "Caterd Halloween" by Isis Crawford and last, but not least, FIVE Heath Bars.  I will pace myself and make them last at least through Halloween . . . I promise, maybe!

blogging and knitting and other silly stuff

I just realized this morning that I have not posted ANYTHING in quite awhile.  Now I realize that most of the stuff is junk and only relevant to me . . . but . . . whatever.

Frankly, I've been busy. 

The last week of September, I was in Deerborn, MI for a Great Lakes Relocation conference.  It was a very good conference.  The best speaker was a guy who loves tax and makes it interesting.  I know, how weird is that!  Anyway, his name is David Oltman and his company is Orion Mobility (http://www.orionmobility.com/).  Seriously, this guy is great and if you are even ever slightly interested in tax stuff, go to one of his conferences.  I am not a fan of taxes but I would spend time listening to David.  I don't think its necessarily the subject but maybe that it is fun and interesting to listen to someone who is passionate about what he does and what he knows.

The conference was at the Deerborn Inn (worth the trip).  We had dinner at the Henry Ford Museum (also worth the trip . . . even though we didn't have lots of time there).  The other highlight of the trip was spending time with some really good people.  We had dinner on Tuesday night at a place called Giovanni's (330 S. Oakwood Boulevard http://www.giovannisristorante.com/).  FABULOUS dinner with a really, really good waiter and great company.  What incredible fun!

The second week of October I was in Chicago at the Worldwide Employee Relocation Council conference.  It was at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago.  I had a room on the 28th floor with views of the river leading to Navy Pier.  The view from my room in the middle of the day, zoomed in:

and here is the pic of the river from my room on Wednesday morning, as the sun was rising (I don't sleep well in hotels and usually get up incredibly, ridiculously early:

Chicago is one of those places that once you get downtown, you can really enjoy the city.  It is the getting to/from downtown that is a royal pain.  Nevertheless, the conference was excellent.  I spent mucho time eating (not good for the diet since most of the time the menu was pre-ordained and I didn't have choices).  However, the food was really good. 

The good thing about these meetings is that it gives me an opportunity to really sit down and talk with some of the service providers we use, see what their competition is using and, there is a really good meeting which is corporate benchmarking.  At the corporate benchmarking, the service providers are not allowed to participate.  Therefore, there is some really solid, in-depth discussions among my peers about how they are handling issues and concerns.  Very good stuff.

I did get some knitting done.  Since I was flying to Chicago, I took yarn and patterns for cloths.  Completed one.  I always over pack.

I have also started on slipper/socks for Lindsey.  But she tried them on Wednesday and informed me that they were way too big.  The pattern is a Drops design (http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=0&d_id=512&lang=us).  It is knit with two strands of yarn and goes rather quickly. 

However, because I frogged the whole thing, I decided to start working on the hats for Kyle's daughters.  I finished one and have started on another.  It is a simple pattern (84 stitches (on size 5 U.S.) with one inch of ribbing and after five or six inches of stockinette, you start decreasing).  I am using Sensations Rainbow Classic from Joann's (http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp;jsessionid=B2FYHZXZMT1DOP4SY5CFAFJ50LD3OUPU?CATID=cat3053&PRODID=prd53701).  Each skein is between 450 and 650 yards.  HUGE skeins.  So the girls are getting hats and scarves.  I'll probably crochet the scarves because it will be faster. 

I also finished Zachariah's hat and scarf. 

Friday Fill In - October 2, 2009

1. I have a history of laughing hysterically at inappropriate times (did you all see Grey's Anatomy at George's funeral . . . . that would be me).




2. A foreign language is something I wish I knew.



3. I'm eating (or recently ate) oatmeal with raisons and dried cranberries.



4. Lots of rain on the road today.



5. So that's it, that's life.



6. Sleeping for a couple of hours is better than nothing!



7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to driving to Port Clinton, tomorrow my plans include relaxing in Port Clinton and Sunday, I want to return from Port Clinton and go to a clambake!  And if you want to see where we will be in Port Clinton, go here.  It is really roughing it . . . no dishwasher, no microwave.

I am torn . . . seriously

WEBS through Knit Purl Girl is having a contest to give away a Bamboo Interchangable needle set.  So, the question to myself was do I tell everyone or keep it to myself.  If I tell, I am increasing the competition for the set, but by telling, I get an additional entry.  Decisions, decisions.

Well, since I posted this, I guess I decided to let the cat out of the bag. 

Plans, plans, plans

I have too many unfinished projects. 

Originally, I thought the idea of knitting on something for 7 to 14 days would answer my need desire to not get bored with the thing.  The problem, however, is that then I forget what it is that I was doing and I keep making stupid mistakes.

For example, I am working on a sampler scarf.  It is from Lion Brand.  It is called "The Road Scarf" and you can find it here.  I am using Knitpicks Andean Silk.  Well, the pattern said to cast on 40 stitches.  So, I did.  It is a sampler and scarf.  I did two patterns and had started the third when I decided that the silly thing was WAY to WIDE to be a scarf.  So I ripped it out and started over, casting on 32 stitches. 

Everything is going along smoothly except that given my self-imposed (self imposed be critical here) timeframe, it was time to switch to something else.  So I went back to Zachariah's hat.  In reviewing the pattern for Zachariah's hat and what I had knit so far (it was mostly done), I decided that the thing was butt ugly and needed to be frogged, not a simple task since the stupid thing was in stripes, with decreases and increases and my decision to carry the opposite colors up the side rather than cutting and knotting. 

So I am back to the scarf, knitting away on it at a meeting at church, where, by the way, several people said "gee, I wish I had brought my knitting and/or crocheting."  It was a ridiculous meeting, lasting 2-1/2 hours and could have been over much quicker but the speaker talked  i n c r e d i b l y  s  l  o  w.  We could have been out in 90 minutes, tops.  So then, I discovered that I had messed up the pattern (was that God telling me that I should be paying attention to the speaker?) and had to frog everything that I had done.  Last night at my knitting group, I discovered that I was off by one stitch, then two.  Duh.  so, now the thing is wider in the second pattern that it was on the first.  Blechhhhhhh.

A tragedy

Lindsey went to St. Ignatius' high school's homecoming dance on Saturday night. We had told her that, contrary to what she wanted to do, she had to be home by midnight. Her and her friends were "planning" on have a bonfire after the dance and her plan was to be home by 1:30 a.m. As my husband pointed out to her, we have a curfew in our city for 15 year old. Generally, on a Saturday it is 11:00 p.m. During the week it is 10:00 p.m. The only exception is if the kids are with their parents or coming home from work or an event (sponsored by school, church or community). If they are coming home from an event, they have an hour after the event ends to get their little butts home. She wasn't happy.

~
However, on Saturday, she went to the dance. They went to dinner before and she was home by 11:30. Wow, I couldn't believe it but was thrilled because I was really tired. Up until I saw her face.
~
One of the sophomore's at St. Ignatius died that afternoon in an ATV accident. Of course, the rumor that went through the dance was that he and his buddies (or their dates) had been in an accident on the way to the dance. It wasn't until the next morning that all the details became clear.

St. Ignatius High School student Daniel Murphy dies in ATV accident hours before homecoming dance
Homecoming dance turns into vigil for University Hts. youth
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Robert L. Smith
Plain Dealer Reporter

The homecoming dance turned into a sudden and solemn vigil Saturday night at St. Ignatius High School, when students learned that one of their classmates had died that day in an ATV accident.

Fifteen-year-old Daniel Murphy, a sophomore honors student at St. Ignatius, was one of four classmates riding an all-terrain vehicle in a wooded area near one of the boys' homes in Solon when it crashed into a tree. Three other teens were injured, one seriously.

Murphy rowed for the crew team at St. Ignatius, and he and the other three had competed just hours earlier in the 14th Annual Head of the Cuyahoga Rowing Regatta in the Flats. He was expected at the homecoming dance that night.

School officials planned to break the news to Murphy's teammates at the dance by pulling them aside. But word of the tragedy had already begun to spread as the dance began, and students instinctively made for the chapel a short walk from the gym on Lorain Avenue at West 30th Street.

Soon, most of the dance crowd had poured into the chapel, the young men in suits, their dates in summer dresses. Many expressed shock. Jesuit priests led them in prayer. A vigil emerged. Crew coach Matt Previts wept to see it.

"It's kind of amazing to see them rally around each other this way," he said, choking back emotion.

"Every one of them, they all left the dance. It's a vigil for Danny. It's beautiful."
Students lingered in small groups in the chapel lobby, some crying, some holding one another in hugs. Slowly, they began to make their way back across the campus to the gym and an unforgettable homecoming.

According to Solon police, the four teens were riding a single ATV in a wooded area behind houses that border the South Chagrin Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. Police received a 9-1-1 call about 3:35 p.m. and arrived to find Murphy unconscious.

According to students at the dance, Murphy was driving the ATV when it crashed into a tree. Two of the students leapt from the four-wheeled vehicle before the crash and suffered minor injuries.

Daniel Loyke, also a St. Ignatius sophomore, suffered leg and head injuries and was flown to MetroHealth Medical Center. The accident occurred near his house on Birch Circle.
"He busted up his knee. He's going to be OK," Previts said.

Both had rowed on different varsity eight-man boats for Ignatius in the men's junior race at 1 p.m. in the regatta, which drew more than 1,000 rowers from six states and Canada.

Two and a half hours later, the ATV crashed. Murphy was dead at the scene, police said. The Cuyahoga County coroner's office is likely to do an autopsy today.

Known as "Murph," he was a quiet leader who showed his heart through his work ethic, said Peter Corrigan Jr., St. Ignatius principal. "We struggle to put words to what we are feeling tonight. We stand in solidarity with the Murphy family and all who mourn Daniel," he said in a statement.

The University Heights youth was the son of educators. His father, Paul Murphy, teaches religion at John Carroll University. His mother, Marcia Leous, teaches theology at Beaumont High School in Cleveland Heights.

"He's the kind of boy that every father wishes he had," Previts said. "He's the kind of young man every coach wishes he had more of."

~

What a tragedy for Danny and his family and, as a parent of a 15 year old, I just don't know how you go on. I know you do, but as Lindsey sobbed on Saturday night, you just wonder. Please keep Danny and his parents and all the students who prayed for him and will pray for him this week in your prayers. His funeral is Thursday and it is going to be a really tough day and week for everyone.

~

Yesterday, when Lindsey and I talked about it, we discussed what his parents were going through and the girl that was waiting for Danny to pick her up to go to the dance and his classmates and their dates.

~

We talked about the impact of one action and why you should never go to bed or leave the house on angry words . . . even when you are angry or hurt. And it goes both ways. She said that she hoped that Danny was the kind of kid that still gave hugs to his parents and told them that he loved them and, in a very special way, I was hoping that his parents were the kind of parents that still gave hugs to their son and told him that they loved him every chance they got. Because, you never know when it may be the last time.

Friday Fill In - September 18, 2009

“Avoid any diet that discourages the use of

hot fudge.”
―Don Kardong

1. My car is really a Chrysler Town & Country minivan with stow and go storage which is, by the way, a perfect place to hide Christmas presents.

2. The season of traveling is coming up next . . . in Detroit next week, in Chicago two weeks later . . . I am trying to not go to Dallas.

3. Lately, things seem very busy.

4. See No. 1 above . . . lol . . . is one of my favorite 'hiding' places.

5. What happened to being allowed to stay home and do nothing.

6. Focusing on knitting on one project for a week is not impossible!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to keeping an eye on Andrew and Lindsey . . . lucky me, tomorrow my plans include driving to Pittsburgh for the Naval Academy Forum with Lindsey and her friend Cortney and hopefully they will keep an open mind, then driving home and getting here by 4:00 so that Lindsey can get ready for St. Ignatius' homecoming and Sunday, I want to sleep in but, we will be going to 8:00 a.m. Mass, followed by Breakfast in the Park, and since we won't be home on Saturday, doing laundry and hopefully Sarah and Kyle will come over and we can have dinner together!

Simple Woman - September 14, 2009

FOR TODAY ~ Monday, September 14, 2009

“No person who can read is ever

successful at cleaning out an attic.”
―Ann Landers

Outside my Window... the sun is shining and it is a beautiful day.
I am thinking... Lindsey will be spending the rest of her teen years angry
I am thankful for... my husband . . . Lindsey is going to a homecoming dance on Saturday. The kid she is going with (and has been dating all summer) said that he was going to have a bunch of kids to his house afterwards and she would be home by 1:30. Dave (who is the calm, quiet one in our family dynamic), said "no." He said no to her, to Andrew and to Andrew's parents. Lindsey is royally pissed. I probably shouldn't have laughed.
From the kitchen... we had friends for dinner on Saturday and had grilled steak, tomatoes from the garden and augratin potatoes (made from scratch!). Yesterday, we had the swim team for a picnic and enjoyed spending the day outdoors and hotdogs and hamburgers.
I am creating... Zachariah's hat (again) . . . frogged the old one and am starting over.
I am going... to have another busy week
I am wearing... black slacks, red shirt and white with black polka dot jacket
I am reading... nothing . . . kids were crabby so we just dropped stuff off at the library
I am hoping... to get back to the library this evening or tomorrow
I am hearing... the radio and people arriving for work
Around the house... love having people over since the house always looks neat and clean
One of my favorite things... spending time with friends and family
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... meeting tonight (Principal's Parents Advisory Committee), meeting tomorrow night (swim team . . . it is going to be ugly), Lindsey has violin on Wednesday and I will spend that time at the Book and Bean with a knit group, Saturday is St. Ignatius' homecoming and we are also going to Pittsburgh so that Lindsey can attend a Naval Academy Forum.

Lindsey is a Junior

In reviewing my blog, I realized that I forgot to post the picture from Lindsey's first day of 11th grade. She is a JUNIOR in high school. Her school does block schedules, so classes are 80 minutes long but each semester, she only has four classes. This semester is substantially harder than next.

This semester she has Theology 11, AP Government (which lasts all year), pre-Calc and Physics.

Next semester, she has AP Government, Orchestra/HandBells, Honors English 11 and Calculus. She is just a tad smart. LOL.

Anyway, her first day of school was Thursday, August 20, and here she is in all her 15 year old glory!

September 11, 2009

What A Difference One Day Makes
In Memory of 9-11-01

On Monday we emailed jokes.

On Tuesday we did not.

On Monday we thought that we were secure.

On Tuesday we learned better.

On Monday we were talking about heroes as being athletes.

On Tuesday we relearned who our heroes are.

On Monday we were irritated that our rebate checks had not arrived.

On Tuesday we gave money away to people we had never met.

On Monday there were people fighting against praying in schools.

On Tuesday you would have been hard pressed to find a school where someone was not praying.

On Monday people argued with their kids about picking up their room.

On Tuesday the same people could not get home fast enough to hug their kids.

On Monday people were upset that they had to wait 6 minutes in a fast food drive through line.

On Tuesday people didn't care about waiting up to 6 hours to give blood for the dying.

On Monday we waved our flags signifying our cultural diversity.

On Tuesday we waved only the American flag.

On Monday there were people trying to separate each other by race, sex, color and creed.

On Tuesday they were all holding hands.

On Monday we were men or women, black or white, old or young, rich or poor, gay or straight, Christian or non-Christian.

On Tuesday we were Americans.

On Monday politicians argued about budget surpluses.

On Tuesday grief stricken they sang 'God Bless America'.

On Monday the President was going to Florida to read to children.

On Tuesday he returned to Washington to protect our children.

On Monday we had families.

On Tuesday we had orphans.

On Monday people went to work as usual.

On Tuesday they died.

On Monday people were fighting the 10 commandments on government property.

On Tuesday the same people all said 'God help us all' while thinking 'Thou shall not kill'.

It is sadly ironic how it takes horrific events to place things into perspective, but it has. The lessons learned that week, the things we have taken for granted, the things that have been forgotten or overlooked, hopefully will never be forgotten again.
~ author unknown ~

Simple Woman - September 8, 2009

“A good deed is never lost:

he who sows courtesy reaps friendship;

and he who plants kindness gathers love.”
―Basil

FOR TODAY . . . Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Outside my Window... it is raining but we had a beautiful weekend and it didn't start raining until last evening.
I am thinking... that my head is throbbing and I'm getting a cold.
I am thankful for... living in a great place, having a good job and a wonderful family
From the kitchen... we had about 100 people at our house on Sunday. We have left over potato salad, pasta salad and a sausage/pasta dish. No cooking this week.
I am creating... I frogged my grrlfriend bag and restarted it last night.
I am going... to an Athletic Booster meeting this evening and I just don't feel like it.
I am wearing... navy blue slacks, blue shirt and aqua and blue jacket (had to hem the pants yesterday, they are new and TWO sizes smaller than what I was wearing at the beginning of summer!!)
I am reading... nothing
I am hoping... my books come in from the library
I am hearing... the rain hit the windows
Around the house... it is clean (one of the advantages of having a boatload of people over). We do have the swim team coming over this coming Sunday.
One of my favorite things... spending time with friends and family
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... work, a meeting Thursday morning, doctor's appointment Thursday afternoon, arguing with Lindsey on Friday (when she wants to go spend the evening at Andrew's house . . . she'll also want to spend Saturday evening there . . . it is getting old), swimming starts on Saturday and, of course the swim team picnic on Sunday (33 girls and their families).

Labor Day and other stuff.

“Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day. It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken.”
―Bill Dodds

I had to laugh about this quote . . . my husband is a school teacher in a Catholic elementary school in Cleveland. Their classes started on August 19. Right now he has 15 students. He anticipates anywhere from another 5 to 10 by the end of the week this week. Many parents don't bring their kids to school until after Labor Day because "that is when we started and that is when our kids start . . . " So the kids start off the school year missing three weeks of school.

We had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Since we moved into our home 28 years ago, we have had a gathering of friends. We used to have it on Monday but a couple of years ago moved it to Sunday. It is SOOOOO much easier.

We have friends who have come every year and we add new friends every year. It is a great time. Sarah and Kyle spent the night, as did Joe and Jane and their daughter, Cortney. The festivities started at noon on Sunday and over the next 12 hours, we had about one hundred people flitting in and out of our home and yard. It is always interesting and fun. Friends we have known for 30 years meet friends we have known for two, only to find out that their kids went to grade school together . . . how cool is that!

And today it rained. It waited until after Lindsey and I went to the store (essentials needed: milk and napkins and Joann's was having a sale).

Anyway, I hope your weekend was a glorious as mine and that you got to enjoy time with friends and family.

As to knitting stuff, I ripped out my grrlfriends bag. I just wasn't happy with it and restarted it again this evening. I also bought (at Joann's Sensations Rainbow classis yarn for Lindsey's slipper/socks that she wants for Christmas . . . I would post a pictures but they don't offer the color online). Zachariah's one mitten is done (Lorna's Lace, Black Watch . . . very nice yarn).

I was scheduled to go to a knitting retreat as part of the Grindstone Knitting Guild on September 19. However, Lindsey wants to go hear what the Naval Academy has to say and they are having a forum in Pittsburgh on September 19. Since she is going to keep an open mind about her future, I can give up a knitting retreat. I think.

Michael and Kary's wedding

Michael and Kary got married on July 28 in Florida. Michael is Jacquie's (one of my younger sisters) son. His best man for his wedding was Tommy. Tommy is Jeanne's (the other younger sister) son. Michelle is Tommy's wife. Michelle introduced Michael to Kary. Kary happens to be Michelle's sister.

Got it? Basically, the boy cousins have married sisters. Tommy is in the Navy and wasn't sure when he would be able to be home for the wedding. So, being that Kary and Michael weren't interested in a huge ceremony type thing, they moved the ceremony to Florida taking the wedding to the best man and his family!

The reception was held this past Saturday, August 29, at Alum Creek State Park (well, actually, we stayed at Alum Creek State Park. The reception was at the lower dam park (owned and operated by the Army Corp of Engineers. Very impressive, clean and cared for space. Michael and Kary rented two picnic pavilions, we all brought food and Michael grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. We had a great time, too much food and spent lots of time chatting, laughing, knitting (my sister and I spent time knitting with a variety of people coming over and ohhhing and ahhhing) and playing.

The next pic is Mary, Lindsey and Zachariah in one of the cabins we stayed in.
















This is a pic of Jacquie's family.
Back row: Mackenzie, Sarah, Hayden, Zeke, Michael, Kary, Toby, Julie
Front row: Mike, Jacquie and Mary

Toby and Julie, they live in the Oakland area of California. Toby grew up in CA and is just starting his student teaching (middle school history). Julie is working on her Ph.d and is teaching at U.C. Davis and San Quentin prison. Toby has never experienced Bob Evans' so that is where they went for lunch on Sunday before Toby and Julie flew back to San Francisco. Julie is a vegetarian so I am sure it was an experience for her too. Although, the way she tells it, the reason she is a vegetarian is that she just doesn't like the taste of meat.

this is a pic of Erich (Jeanne's middle son). He is recently out of the Marines and is enrolled at the Police Academy at Akron University. Caity is his fiance. They are planning their wedding for October (yes, this October). He is also in the Marine Reserves. He has, by the way, ZERO body fat. Seriously, buff . . . and that comment comes from his aunt.

By the way, I should do a family tree . . . what a riot that would be . . . Jacquie and I both have adopted children from different places (some relatives, some not). Tommy, Michael, Erich, Amy and Sarah are all married to or marrying wonderful people who have children from other relationships.

It is all very convuluted. The thing that I enjoy more than anything though is that most of my siblings' children all get along and stay in touch.

It was a wonderful weekend. I am exhausted and Zachariah got sick at school yesterday. I am not sure he is really sick, sick or, like me, just exhausted.

Beaded Scarf - Day 3

Beaded Scarf 3 days
Originally uploaded by mlj1954ohio

This is a great pattern, easy and it looks great. It came from Jane from whoduknit. Lots of beads, so they need to be pre-strung, which is tedious but much faster than trying to using the crochet hook method.

The yarn came from Vigdis by way of the WhoduKnit prize locker.

Jane said that she would have done more than 9 rows of beads, so following her suggestion, I split all the beads I had into two piles and figured out how many rows (12) of beads I would end up with . . . this is what I had accomplished through last evening (Sunday, August 23). Not too shabby, especially considering that we were gone for most of the weekend and I was doing the driving so I didn't get any knitting done.

So, I have all these little projects that I am working on . . . . Cloth of the Week . . . . squares for the afghan . . . . and whatever else I have in bags, tucked away, etc.

Someone on, I believe, Whoduknit, or MyKnittingCircle who recommended working on something for 12 days. I don't recall why 12 days. Anyway, I have decided to work on something for seven days (unless I am seriously under a time crunch or so totally infatuated with the thing . . . do you like how I have given myself an "out" to my own rules . . .). I started stringing the beads for this last Wednesday, August 19. I am going to count start working on it though as of Thursday August 20 (another "out"). (So, since I didn't get to work on this most of the weekend, do I add onto the number of days per project based on actual knitting days?)

It is for a friend as a gift. She does appreciate what I do and I know she will just love this scarf.

The only thing is that the edges are kind of raggidy, so I think I will have to crochet a simple edge along the whole thing. It will finish it nicely.

30 day challenge

A generation ago, three-quarters of the money

used to buy food in the US was spent to prepare meals at home. Today, about half of that same money is spent in restaurants -

mainly fast food restaurants.

~ Eric Schlosser

Check this out . . . Robynn's is challenging us . . . we the fast food nation . . .

Go to her blog and read all about her 30 day challenge.

The upside for us is that we will be healthier (and maybe a little leaner) and, you have a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card. How cool is that!!!

So, are you up for a 30 day challenge. Go check out Robynn's blog and learn about it.

First Day of School 2009 - 2010 school year

Yes, today is the first day of school . . . specifically, it is Zachariah's first day in 4th grade. He announced last evening that he did not want to go to 4th grade. He doesn't like writing in cursive or using pens. His solution is that he just won't go.


The students are allowed to wear their gym clothes to school until Labor Day. At that time, they have to switch to their uniforms (yellow or light grey polo shirts (ughhhhh . . . the principal obviously doesn't have a young son), navy blue or black dress pants, black/brown dress shoes).

Zachariah doesn't know it yet, but they might be splitting his class into two classes. Currently, there are 33 students enrolled in 4th grade. If they split his class, he will have Sister Marietta. Woo hoo. Here's hoping. They are going to wait to decide to split until all the students show up. Lame. If anything, they will end up with MORE than 33 students not less than 33 students.

Simple Woman - August 17, 2009

“I long, as does every human being,

to be at home wherever I find myself.”
―Maya Angelou

FOR TODAY . . . August 17, 2009

Outside my Window... it is hot . . . it has been the hottest days of the summer this past week and through most of this week.
I am thinking... that I need to focus on getting some things completed instead of starting something new
I am thankful for... our garden and sharing the wealth of our abundance
From the kitchen... baked tomatoes, corn on the cob, fresh steamed green beans marinated and grilled chicken . . . all but the chicken came from the garden
I am creating... squares . . . lots of squares
I am going... to enjoy my two days off this week
I am wearing... black slacks and a black shell with green and black blouse
I am reading... a couple of books, none of which I can remember the title of . . . how sad
I am hoping... to get boat loads of stuff done today
I am hearing... the radio
Around the house... the garden is in full swing (lots of veggies), everything is vacuumed and dusted and the dishwasher is empty
One of my favorite things... starting the day with an empty dishwasher . . . how weird is THAT!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... busy today and tomorrow at work . . . Wednesday and Thursday am off from work . . . haircuts for Lindsey, Sarah and I on Wednesday followed by lunch, Thursday is Lindsey's first day of school 8 to 11 . . . no busses so I will drive her, hang out at Panera's and then pick her up a little after 11:00. We will then pick up Peg (my sister) and Andrew (Lindsey' boyfriend . . . he has a half day also) and all of us will go to lunch. We are having fish for dinner one of those nights. Either Salmon or Flounder.

A contest . . . you should check it out

Here is a contest being hosted by Nikola's Book Blog. Check it out here. You can also click on the picture to the side.

You have to hurry because the contest ends August 28th. Or not bother and increase my chances of winning!

Friday Fill In - August 14, 2009

1. When will we have consistently good weather?

2. Persuader by Lee Child was the last good book I read.

3. Everything has its beauty but sometimes you have to dig really, really deep to find it!

4. Good veggies from the garden is what I had for dinner.

5. I'd like your ideas about how I can get my daughter to keep an her options open with respect to college . . . she is starting her Junior year in high school and keeps narrowing her scope based solely on what her friends are doing.

6. Home in bed is where I want to be right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing nothing, tomorrow my plans include dentist appointment, laundry and church and Sunday, I want to hem my new slacks, replace a zipper, clean the closets!

you don't gotta like me . . .

“Mom, you don't got like us,

but you gotta love us. It says so in the Mommy Bible!”
―According to Sarah, my eldest darling daughter

she said that it is a quote from the Mommy Bible.

Years ago when my oldest daughter was a teenager and she knew that she had not been very nice, she crawled into bed with me one Sunday morning and laid the above quote on me. It is very true.

~

I understand the logic of the kids going nuts the week or so before summer break ends, but geez they are just about ready to drive me over the edge. I took off two days last week to spend time with the kids, running them to several appointments and lessons (dentist, orthodontist, swimming, violin, ENT, end-of-summer concert). We also did some shopping . . . socks, tights, shoes. We had the meeting with the college counselor on Thursday.

~

They got upset because I made them put on their swim suits, turn off the electronics and get their butts outside. We also had a required reading time (both days). The crazy thing is that they love swimming and reading. So basically, I was making them do things that they love doing. Arghhh.

~

So, I am taking off tomorrow. It is Dave's (he is returning to first grade again . . . teaching that is) and Zachariah's (he is going into 4th grade, with a teacher I do not like . . . the only upside being that Sister Marietta will be teaching math and religion with his regular teacher doing the balance) first day of school. It is a problem with the teacher. She was hired because she is a friend of the principal. As a parent, I would not know some of the things I know. As the wife of a teacher at the same school and as an invitee to the principal's home, I do know things I wouldn't otherwise know. Simple things like the fact that last year, the teacher never taught science and did such a poor job at math that the principal (her friend) was going to teach math this year. The kindergarten teacher, who is a good friend of ours, told me that one of the other Moms at the school last year, got so frustrated with the 4th grade teacher, that she had developed a series of "form letters" and sent one almost every week to the teacher and the principal. The problem I have is that my husband also teaches at the school. Which, in a nut shell, is the only reason I can think of why parents shouldn't be at the same school as their children.

~

I don't know about your part of the world, but most of the schools will be starting school this week. Lindsey starts on Thursday. She only has a half day (8:00 to 11:00 with no bus service). So, I am taking off to get her to school and to pick her up.

~

Lindsey was very upset with the college counselor. If she wants to get an Honors Diploma, she has to take Spanish IV in her senior year. She also never planned gym into her schedule. And, frankly, there isn't any room in her schedule without going to summer school. She could give up on music. I find it very annoying that she would have to sacrifice orchestra for gym when she is on the swim team and will be swimming five days a week, usually twice a day, from November to February. The stupid, stupid, stupid thing is that the school makes the students take gym five days a week for an entire semester. And, since they are on block schedules (4 classes per semester at 80 minutes per class per day), she would have gym for 80 minutes a day for five days a week for an entire semester. It is basically classified at the same level as Calculus but is only worth 1/2 credit.

~

And, so whose fault is this . . . you guessed it . . . mine. She is angry with me. She is angry about the Spanish IV (which she doesn't want to take) and that if she had known that she would not have tested out of Spanish I. She is angry that she will be "wasting" her summer next year taking gym. You should have seen the look I got when I suggested that she take Spanish IV during the summer . . . of course, there isn't anyplace that she could take Spanish IV. Arghhhh.

~

So, last evening I kept thinking about what Sarah had said to me sooooo many years ago . . . "Mom, you don't have to like us, but you gotta love us . . . it says so in the Mommy Bible."

relaxing

“The time to relax is
when you don’t have time for it.”
―Sydney J. Harris

~

Now that is definitely easier said than done.

~

This week, for example, is turning into a nightmare of rushing and dashing and waiting.

Yesterday, I had a doctor's appointment. 8:00 a.m. so that I would get to work at a reasonable time. Please keep in mind that I am usually in my office by 6:45. I got in by 9:30. The reason it was so late was because my doctor didn't show up until 8:25 . . . I actually spent more time with her nurse than with her. On the other hand, she did do a happy dance with me, celebrating my 48 pound loss.

~

Today, we have Weight Watchers (we do an @ Work program and I am the coordinator of it). Generally, I don't mind, except that it takes a 90 minute block of time out of my day. Since I am taking off on Wednesday (yes, that would be tomorrow) and Thursday, I don't have the time to give up. My back-up person is, unfortunately (or fortunately for her), getting her only child and daughter ready to go to college and cannot help me.

~

I was originally scheduled to have off on Thursday and Friday (thereby giving me a long weekend). However, Dave's classes begin next Wednesday (8/19 -- I am also taking off next Wednesday and Thursday). The principal had initially scheduled meetings for this Thursday and Friday, which is why I had taken the day off. Dave had made a couple of doctors' appts for the kids on Wednesday. His principal has now added tomorrow as a mandatory teacher-inservice day. On the upside, his classroom is getting a smartboard . . . cool beans! In any event, I am taking off tomorrow so that I get to do the running around (one dentist, one orthodontist, one ENT, one hour of violin lessons). Oh, and, of course, they both need new shoes.

~

On Thursday, we will not be doing anything. I'm thinking maybe even taking the kids to a movie . . . a special treat . . . or maybe we can do a movie marathon at home . . . in that way, I can avoid the popcorn.

~

Next Wednesday, Lindsey and I are getting our hair cut and Sarah is getting a pedicure and manicure. We will then "do lunch" with Lindsey having to be back by 2:30 to babysit. On Thursday, Lindsey starts back to school. Of course, her school is inane and stupid and has the students coming in for three hours. She has to be there by 8:00 and is done at 11:00. I may let her take the bus to school but will have to go pick her up (she is babysitting again that afternoon). I do think I will ask a friend if she wants to "do lunch."

Mopping

“My idea of superwoman is

someone who scrubs her own floors.”
―Bette Midler

So last night, we were watching the news and a commercial came on about Swiffer's new and improved floor mopping system . . . I am sure you have seen them . . . and I thought

"I really should check that out. Doesn't it look like it would really work . . ."

then I started chuckling. When swiffer first came out, I lusted after it. I really, really wanted it. I bought it and it was just such a disappointment.

When the kids were little (and trust me, since the age spread of my kids is almost 16 years, I had little kids FOREVER), I would damp mop on a regular basis.

I remember that my Mom used to wash our kitchen and dining room floors on a regular basis (at least once a week . . . and often more often than that). My kitchen and dining room floors (ceramic tile) are lucky if they get fully washed three or four times a year. We do spot cleaning and sweeping and vacuuming, but never enough that my kids are going to remember that I washed the floors every week or even every month. Generally, it has gotten to the point where the floors get washed AFTER we have a picnic or party.

I am such a slob.

The 3/50 Project

The 3/50 Project

Saving the Bricks and Mortar our Nation is Built on

3

Think about which three independently owned businesses you’d miss most if they were gone.

Stop in and say hello.

Pick up a little something that will make someone smile.

Your contribution is what keeps those businesses around.

50

If just half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned businesses,

their purchaseswould generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.*

Imagine the positive impact

if 3/4 of the employedpopulation did that.

68

For every $100 spent in independently owned stores,

$68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll,

and other expenditures.

If you spend that in a national chain,

only $43 stays here.

Spend it online and nothing comes home.

1

The number of people it takes to start the trend...you.

_______________

* Employment statistics courtesy U.S. Department of Labor 2/6/09

Sing out loud!

“Sing out loud in the car even,

or especially, if it embarrasses your children.”
―Marilyn Penland

Okay, I am the evil Mom.

The further my 15 year old slides down in the seat, the louder I get and then, I add hand motions and, if it is dark out, I'll turn the dome light on.

On the other hand, she is the one who announced to the entire mall, that I could just wait by the door while she shopped . . . it only seems fair. by the way, I didn't wait by the door, I followed her around pointing out really hideous outfits and when she wanted me to buy her something, I ignored her ("who me, are YOU talking to ME . . . sorry, I've got to get back to my assigned location by the door." LOL. Kids are so much fun.

Great quote and other miscellaneous stuff

“For every minute spent in organizing,

an hour is earned.”
―Benjamin Franklin

Isn't this a great quote. I really like it. So today, I am going to clean my office. It is getting cluttered (again). It is a good day to do so since my boss and our secretary are both out. Good idea!

In the knitting department, I have a couple of project in the works. One is a market bag that I am making out of cotton (Peaches & Creme). I used a partial varigated skein for the base and am using a solid for the body. The biggest problem is that the body is a series of k2tog and yo . . . not bad with something a tad stretchy but with cotton there isn't a whole heck of a lot of "give." It is the Grrlfriend Market Bag from Ravelry.

Simple Woman - August 3, 2009

I base most of my fashion sense on what doesn’t itch.
―Gilda Radner

FOR TODAY
Outside my Window... it is a crisp beautiful morning . . . the first Monday of August 2009
I am thinking... the summer is flying by
I am thankful for... the warm weather and cool nights
From the kitchen... the first vegetables from the garden, baked in a wonderful casserole, tossed with a pesto. Yummy
I am creating... squares and cloths and a scarf and hat for Zachariah
I am going... to leave work earlier today . . . Dave's first day allowed to begin preparing his classroom and he will be picking me up when he is done.
I am wearing... beige skirt, stripped summer sweater and beige skimmer shoes
I am reading... Interweave Knits and Vogue Knitting . . . both of which arrived in Saturday's mail
I am hoping... to get to bed early tonight
I am hearing... the radio and the birds
Around the house... the bedrooms have all been cleaned, dusted and look rather nice
One of my favorite things... clean windows
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... work, knitting, WW (on Tuesday), knitting (on Wednesday), EGD (on Friday), dinner with friends (on Saturday).
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... another Cloth of the Week, this one from November 11, 2008. It was an interesting pattern and one of the few done so far which required my total attention. I am really enjoying doing these cloths. The cloths are broadening my knitting skills but also keep me interested.