I have been looking back over the year, sort of a year in review if you will. I knit a lot of things this year.
I knit:
9 pairs of socks
1 pair of mittens
2 string bags
8 hats
6 scarves
9 stuffed animals
4 baby blankets
1 dishrag
Over 200 squares on my sock yarn blanket
I have one pair of socks on the needles, which I will probably finish before the end of the year, so I may be able to bump up the total to 10 pairs of socks.
So, in 2009, I knit a lot.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Let's put it to bed
Since the year is wrapping up, I have been pondering the events of this past year. Now, most of you have been along for the ride, so you know that this past year has not been really a great one. You know I am ready to put this year into the books and close it up, tie it up with strong string and toss into a corner, never to be thought of again.
That will be pretty hard to do, not think about this year. 2009, really has been a year of such great change, that it will be hard not to remember where we were, and compare that to where we are. Pretty much everything in our lives has changed, except for the one main thing, we stand firmly together as a family. But, even our definition of family has changed, in a good way. I think each and everyone of us is closer to the others. We are, as a unit stronger than we were last year at this time.
I think that while most marriages are challenged by job loss, moving and other stressors, for Bob and I, it has made us realize that we really do have each others backs. Sure we fight about when to shovel the snow off the driveway. I would like to go on the record as saying ALL snow must be removed, because it ices up and I have to walk the kids to school twice a day. Bob on the other hand, feels if he can get up the driveway, no need to remove the snow. But I digress.
Well, only 18 more days and we can put 2009 to bed and start in on 2010. I hope it is a better year for us, and for you, I hope it is filled with blessings and joy.
That will be pretty hard to do, not think about this year. 2009, really has been a year of such great change, that it will be hard not to remember where we were, and compare that to where we are. Pretty much everything in our lives has changed, except for the one main thing, we stand firmly together as a family. But, even our definition of family has changed, in a good way. I think each and everyone of us is closer to the others. We are, as a unit stronger than we were last year at this time.
I think that while most marriages are challenged by job loss, moving and other stressors, for Bob and I, it has made us realize that we really do have each others backs. Sure we fight about when to shovel the snow off the driveway. I would like to go on the record as saying ALL snow must be removed, because it ices up and I have to walk the kids to school twice a day. Bob on the other hand, feels if he can get up the driveway, no need to remove the snow. But I digress.
Well, only 18 more days and we can put 2009 to bed and start in on 2010. I hope it is a better year for us, and for you, I hope it is filled with blessings and joy.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
I signed up to do what???
Last night, I tucked the kiddios into bed. They were tired from a long afternoon of playing video games. I am a bad mother, wanna make something of it? I came back down to watch a little Food Network or HGTV. I had my warm blanket and my knitting. It is some wild times here in the big city. Wild times.
I was happily watching some chef make something I would never even consider eating. Bob was working on his computer telling me about his day. He prattles on like a 5 year old who just got a new toy. He is seriously excited about his new job. As depressed and mopey as he was about being unemployed, go to the other end of that scale and you will find how happy he is about his new job. Every day, he practically leaps out of bed and giggles as he puts on his big boy pants and heads off to work. He keeps this up and it won't be called work much longer. I am glad he likes his new job, and I will get back on track here.
So, I am watching this chef make something out a chicken that should really not be served to people. And Bob announces that his company is having a Holiday Pot-Luck on the 22nd. Hmm, what Holiday might that be? We joked around about that before getting to the serious business of what he is going to take. I am going to be out of town on the 22nd. I LOVE my husband, seriously I do, but 13 years of not having to cook for himself, his cooking muscle has atrophied and he is pretty clueless in the kitchen anymore.
What can I make, freeze, and have him defrost that will 1) taste good, 2) not take up a lot of time to make and 3) not be expensive. I immediately thought of all the frozen dinners I made after freezer-gate. But, that work is done, and I sort of want to keep my meal portioned dinners.
Since we have tons, and tons, of sweet mixes, I told him, volunteer to bring the cookies. Do it now before someone else jumps on that and you get stuck with main dish. So, he did. Now, I have to make a cookie platter. What the heck was I thinking? I have to leave for California in 4 days.
How does this sound... Chocolate Chip Cookies, Brownies, Chai Spice Shortbread, A fourth cookie to be named at a later date. I think I covered the bases, a classic, chocolate, something gourmet, and well, if you have an idea for a 4th cookie, please let me know!!!
I was happily watching some chef make something I would never even consider eating. Bob was working on his computer telling me about his day. He prattles on like a 5 year old who just got a new toy. He is seriously excited about his new job. As depressed and mopey as he was about being unemployed, go to the other end of that scale and you will find how happy he is about his new job. Every day, he practically leaps out of bed and giggles as he puts on his big boy pants and heads off to work. He keeps this up and it won't be called work much longer. I am glad he likes his new job, and I will get back on track here.
So, I am watching this chef make something out a chicken that should really not be served to people. And Bob announces that his company is having a Holiday Pot-Luck on the 22nd. Hmm, what Holiday might that be? We joked around about that before getting to the serious business of what he is going to take. I am going to be out of town on the 22nd. I LOVE my husband, seriously I do, but 13 years of not having to cook for himself, his cooking muscle has atrophied and he is pretty clueless in the kitchen anymore.
What can I make, freeze, and have him defrost that will 1) taste good, 2) not take up a lot of time to make and 3) not be expensive. I immediately thought of all the frozen dinners I made after freezer-gate. But, that work is done, and I sort of want to keep my meal portioned dinners.
Since we have tons, and tons, of sweet mixes, I told him, volunteer to bring the cookies. Do it now before someone else jumps on that and you get stuck with main dish. So, he did. Now, I have to make a cookie platter. What the heck was I thinking? I have to leave for California in 4 days.
How does this sound... Chocolate Chip Cookies, Brownies, Chai Spice Shortbread, A fourth cookie to be named at a later date. I think I covered the bases, a classic, chocolate, something gourmet, and well, if you have an idea for a 4th cookie, please let me know!!!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Didn't see it coming
It is interesting how when one thing comes to end, another pops its head up. It makes me wonder if this happens because your are willing to entertain the option. For example, about 6 months ago a felt horribly over committed, and wasn't quite sure I could keep all the balls in the air. After careful consideration I decided to let a couple of of the balls drop.
I let a few too many balls drop, but based on my criteria they were the right balls. No sooner had I let the last one go, did another opportunity pop up. An opportunity that is more in line with my goals and beliefs. It is an interesting thing how that worked out.
I haven't heard the fall out from letting the last ball drop. I imagine I will, but maybe I won't. Life is uncertain. I felt a little bad letting the last one drop, because I really felt that I was letting some folks down. But, sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
So, here we are, I am looking to fill the void and start the process of moving on to the next phase in my life, and an opportunity walks up and says hi, how are you? Did this happen because I noticed the opportunity, because I was willing to even entertain it? I know 6 months ago, I would have dismissed it out of pocket.
Regardless of how it came to be, it looks like I am going to be able to start to do something that is going to position me to do the next thing. Start making the connections I need to be able to do the type of work I want to do. I didn't see that one comin'!
I let a few too many balls drop, but based on my criteria they were the right balls. No sooner had I let the last one go, did another opportunity pop up. An opportunity that is more in line with my goals and beliefs. It is an interesting thing how that worked out.
I haven't heard the fall out from letting the last ball drop. I imagine I will, but maybe I won't. Life is uncertain. I felt a little bad letting the last one drop, because I really felt that I was letting some folks down. But, sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
So, here we are, I am looking to fill the void and start the process of moving on to the next phase in my life, and an opportunity walks up and says hi, how are you? Did this happen because I noticed the opportunity, because I was willing to even entertain it? I know 6 months ago, I would have dismissed it out of pocket.
Regardless of how it came to be, it looks like I am going to be able to start to do something that is going to position me to do the next thing. Start making the connections I need to be able to do the type of work I want to do. I didn't see that one comin'!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
It is chilly outside
In preparation for today's post you will need to acquire a few accessories. First off, you will need to protect your knees. You only have one set of given knees, so take care of them. To that end, get your knee pads, yoga mat or something to protect your knees on the ground. Don't worry, I'll wait.
A little warm up, light stretching. Perhaps a few side touches, and arm reaches. What ever you need to do to get loosened up. All set? Ready to go? Great, prepare to be moved to bow down at my awesome hard-coreness.
Let me paint the scene, it 1 degree Fahrenheit outside, with a steady wind of 15 mph, and gusts up to 50 mph. So to say it is freezing, is perhaps an under statement. It is freakin' arctic outside. We are talking, exposed skin = frostbite. This is some serious cold.
The kids and I walked the block and a half to school. Yeah, we bundled up and walked. Hannah and I walked back. We were outside for 20 minutes today, walking to school, waiting to be let in, and walking back. We waved at all our friends, as they drove by snuggled into their cars, with their lattes. I said we were awesomely hard-core, not necessarily smart. I think that the only way people recognized us is because they know the colors of our coats. Seriously, all you could see is our eyes, because any exposed skin was going to be frozen off.
So, us walkers, we are awesomely hard-core, we walk to school in 1 degree real temp, significantly colder if you factor in wind chill. Yeah, so this California girl, who put her van on the neighbors lawn the other day, walked to school in the arctic temps. We are going to walk to do pick up too...
I know, I am awesomely hard-core. You warmed up, and you may now genuflect. Remember, you have knee protection and you warmed up. You should be good, you won't hurt yourself. If you do, don't come calling on me.
A little warm up, light stretching. Perhaps a few side touches, and arm reaches. What ever you need to do to get loosened up. All set? Ready to go? Great, prepare to be moved to bow down at my awesome hard-coreness.
Let me paint the scene, it 1 degree Fahrenheit outside, with a steady wind of 15 mph, and gusts up to 50 mph. So to say it is freezing, is perhaps an under statement. It is freakin' arctic outside. We are talking, exposed skin = frostbite. This is some serious cold.
The kids and I walked the block and a half to school. Yeah, we bundled up and walked. Hannah and I walked back. We were outside for 20 minutes today, walking to school, waiting to be let in, and walking back. We waved at all our friends, as they drove by snuggled into their cars, with their lattes. I said we were awesomely hard-core, not necessarily smart. I think that the only way people recognized us is because they know the colors of our coats. Seriously, all you could see is our eyes, because any exposed skin was going to be frozen off.
So, us walkers, we are awesomely hard-core, we walk to school in 1 degree real temp, significantly colder if you factor in wind chill. Yeah, so this California girl, who put her van on the neighbors lawn the other day, walked to school in the arctic temps. We are going to walk to do pick up too...
I know, I am awesomely hard-core. You warmed up, and you may now genuflect. Remember, you have knee protection and you warmed up. You should be good, you won't hurt yourself. If you do, don't come calling on me.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Some more knitting
Some more finished objects! Hannah was complaining that she did not have a hat that fit her anymore, so I whipped this up for her. She loves it!
These socks are toasty and perfect for a cold snowy day. The pattern was shared with me by Miss T... Thanks!! :)
Finally, everyone needs felted alpaca mittens. Love how warm and cozy they are!
These socks are toasty and perfect for a cold snowy day. The pattern was shared with me by Miss T... Thanks!! :)
Finally, everyone needs felted alpaca mittens. Love how warm and cozy they are!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Let it snow!
I am a California Girl. I bleed salt water. My toes love the feeling of sand between them. Seriously, there is nothing better than fun in the surf and sun. I did not grow up with snow. The only snow I ever saw at my house was the snow my brother and his friend loaded up in his truck and drove down to my moms house. That seems like a special kind of crazy, to shovel snow into the bed of a truck to drive it down so that the kids the in 'hood could have a snowball fight. But he was 20 something, and it really didn't snow that close to our house that often ever.
So, being in a snowy climate for the past, well, a lot of years. My feelings about snow have changed a lot. The first time it snowed when I lived in Cleveland, I called my mom all excited. This guy, don't remember his name anymore, took me to an empty parking lot and taught me how to spin out, or more importantly how to stay alive if I spin out. It was fun and exciting. I loved to play in the snow. I loved everything about it.
Fast forward A LOT of years. A lot more than I wish to remember, and now, I am not such a fan of snow. It is a pain in the ass to put three kids in snow suits and get out the door. Today, the kids were a bundle of energy. I woke up to screams of delight, it is snowing! Followed by, we don't have school, it is snowing. The kids don't quite understand what level of snow will cancel school. Face it, we live in Chicago, no amount of snow will cancel school. The President's Daughter was right on that account.
So, I bundled everyone up, and out the door we went. I had not even left the house and Hannah drops to the ground, on the walkway. I am thinking, she fell. But, no, she was making snow angels. She made one about every 5 feet on the way to school today. It took a lot of doing to keep her from making on on the road. I am not sure, but something tells me that would not be a good idea.
The kids had a great time, throwing snowballs at each other, making snow angels, and generally playing. They can not wait until recess. Because, yes, even in the snow our kids go out.
After putting the car on my neighbors lawn this morning, shh, don't tell, this California girl, longs for the surf and sand.
So, being in a snowy climate for the past, well, a lot of years. My feelings about snow have changed a lot. The first time it snowed when I lived in Cleveland, I called my mom all excited. This guy, don't remember his name anymore, took me to an empty parking lot and taught me how to spin out, or more importantly how to stay alive if I spin out. It was fun and exciting. I loved to play in the snow. I loved everything about it.
Fast forward A LOT of years. A lot more than I wish to remember, and now, I am not such a fan of snow. It is a pain in the ass to put three kids in snow suits and get out the door. Today, the kids were a bundle of energy. I woke up to screams of delight, it is snowing! Followed by, we don't have school, it is snowing. The kids don't quite understand what level of snow will cancel school. Face it, we live in Chicago, no amount of snow will cancel school. The President's Daughter was right on that account.
So, I bundled everyone up, and out the door we went. I had not even left the house and Hannah drops to the ground, on the walkway. I am thinking, she fell. But, no, she was making snow angels. She made one about every 5 feet on the way to school today. It took a lot of doing to keep her from making on on the road. I am not sure, but something tells me that would not be a good idea.
The kids had a great time, throwing snowballs at each other, making snow angels, and generally playing. They can not wait until recess. Because, yes, even in the snow our kids go out.
After putting the car on my neighbors lawn this morning, shh, don't tell, this California girl, longs for the surf and sand.
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