Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Merry Christmas.

Did you have nice Christmas? Was Santa good to you? Here's our Christmas at a glance:

Before Santa came to my in-laws house:









Sean getting the hang of this opening thing:









Jake got a guitar from Mommy & Daddy:









And Uncle Jason confisgated it but Jake got to play a little:








Jake and I had to finish up the cookies that Santa left behind. Such a trecherous job... but somebody's got to do it!









Sean stood up and held onto my Grandparent's ottoman, and when it got moved, he stayed standing up - for like 10 seconds! We were thrilled but I just sat there and stared at him. Cliff tried to recreate the scene. It didnt work, he ended up on his butt:














Mom's jacket was a little big but she liked it anyway:








Today finds Jake just fine and playing at his grandparents house, Sean with a yeast infection diaper rash and a head cold, Me and Travis both with a really bad sore throat. Joy to the World. Sean will be 1 in a couple weeks - perhaps we will be better by then? Sigh.

Friday, December 21, 2007

A Crocheter's Night Before Christmas

As I do every year, I want to share this with you:

'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished crocheting not under the tree,
The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care
'Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep---he was no help at all.
And the sweater for him was 6" too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my hook to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash.
Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how far I still had to go.
When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.

And although I was tired--my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.
Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed
For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.

"Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!
Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite! Move over!
Lopi, don't circle around, just stand there in line.
Pay attention you sheep and you'll work out just fine!
I know this is hard as it's just your first year
But I'd hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."

I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:
Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!
And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa's big boots stomping on the porch floor.


I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.
As I turned around, St Nick I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe
And his clothes were hand crochet from above to below.

A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran crochet sack.
His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.

The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:
"S.C." in duplicate on the cuff.
So I asked, "Hey, Nick, did YOU crochet all this stuff?"
He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to crochet when I was just a kid."

He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I'd thought up a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
Where I had laid my crochet hook and yarn for a cap.
He began then to crochet, first one cap then 2--
For the first time I thought I might really get through.

He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
While I sat back drinking a scotch on the rocks.
Quickly like magic his hooks they flew,
Good Grief! He was finished by two!

He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,
"Next year, start your crocheting sometime around JUNE

In my next 10 years...

Yesterday, Travis and I celebrated (well, acknowledged) our 10 year dating anniversary. It seems like just yesterday but then also like I've known him forever - I bet everyone says that! Anyway, we had pork chops and rice the did a fire out back and I crocheted and watched Clash of the Choirs.

Speaking of crocheting - I have about half a round to go on this baby blanket but I am running out of yarn. I haven't checked to see if I have more of the blue, I'll do that tonight. I had wanted to get it mailed out today - Whoops! It'll go out on Monday, or Wednesday... not sure about work yet. Have I told you lately that I really love the star baby blankets? This one is in 3 shades - white/white, white/blue, blue/blue. 7 rounds of each shade, 21 rounds in all. I had thought about doing an attached Icord border because I think that would look swell... but my lack of yarn may put a hamper on that idea - unless I have to bring myself to go get another skein. I did good since I had a most of a skein of blue and white and bought one of each more when I started. I guess it does make sense that I would need to get another blue, huh? Urg.

Um, updates... everyone that was in the hospital is out and doing ok. Sean will not sleep through the night an did not like the water instead of formula trick that Mommy tried to pull - NoSirEE! Hey, it was a thought.

Jake is getting a little jealous - wanting to play with everything that Sean is playing with. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

That's it from me for now. We're about to have our office luncheon...catered by Olive Garden... yummo. Merry Christmas everybody, be safe and warm and happy.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

How many more days?

6. That's it. 6 more days to finish your shopping/crocheting/knittng/baking. Is that enough? I'm done with everything except 1 package mailing, 1 cake a-baking, 8 presents wrapping... and 3 pictures in a frame. No more crocheting/knitting/shopping, and I didn't bake at all. I am enjoying more than my share of the 97,000 tons of sweets in our kitchen here at work. No, I am not kidding, there is a BUNCH of stuff. AND... this is not a complete look - some has been eaten and gone.












This includes, but is not limited to... A platter fro the Hockey people,










Chocolate, white chocolate and peanut butter dipped pringles. Never heard of these before but BOY are they addictive! They actually have both sides in the dip, but this one had sort of an accident and "lost" one of its sides. No worries - I found it safely and escorted it to my belly to join its siblings.








I am full of all manner of crap that's not good for me, and a lean cuisine that was not good at all - it was the grilled chicken bits in some sort of non-garlicy garlic sauce and a creamed spinach concoction that was pretty gross. NTS - dont get that one any more!

On a nicer note, Damarys and I exchanged our gifts yesterday and I got this:








And while I do actually have a head in the picture that was taken, it looks awful so you get the cropped version - sorry! She got a nice silver and black crock pot that matches her kitchen so she will quit borrowing mine! Clever, that!

I have gotten 2/3 of the baby blanket done for Nicci, and it should be done and in the mail in the next few days. Baby Nathan is due around Sean's birthday so I still have some time - assuming he's not anxious to make his arrival.

That's really all I have for now. Perhaps more tomorrow?

Friday, December 14, 2007

Updates... on Grandma, and knitting

Grandma is still in the hospital - and we still arent sure whats going on. We think she strained/pulled a muscle during a coughing fit, but some of the tests have come back a little odd so we're waiting to hear somthing more. Please keep her and the doctors in your prayers.

I am on the round and round bit of the foot of the 2nd fuzzy feet. I will be done this weekend with it and I am thrilled! When that's done, and I hibernate from knitting I will crochet a baby blanket for my friend Nicci, who is due around Sean's birthday. And crocheting is SO not knitting!

Sean will be 1 in 3 weeks, and I'm excited, but not looking forward to getting him off the bottle. He uses a sippy cup for juice, but still a bottle for formula. Last night I decided to give him formula in a sippy cup and he took a sip or 2 and threw it down while looking at me funny. Not the best outcome for the first try, but hey, what can you do.

In better Sean news - he can now say Mama, and I had spectators other than myself so I was really excited! About dern time!

This weekend will include the Disney Christmas party tomorrow night, angel kid presents to church on Sunday, and I said I'd help wrap any un-wrapped gifts. Monday I need to get the last of the Christmas gifts mailed out, I'm sure Nanny is wondering why all of my aunts/uncles/cousins have gotten Christmas cards but not her. Soon, Nanny, soon.

You all have a lovely weekend.

Zales Coupon

Is anyone planning on shopping at Zales.com soon? I have an e-certificate for $50 off of a $200 purchase if anyone wants it. Just let me know! It expires April 15, 2008.

I'll try to post a real post later on.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Sigh.

I finished Fuzzy Feet #3 at lunch today. 1 more to go for the amended Christmas knitting list. Yay! Then I'll try really hard to stop, or at least parlay it into finishing the blue and white sock that is seeping somewhere... the den maybe?

I also mailed off 1 of the 3 packages that will be going out - Sue, be on the look out for yours!

Last night I "wrapped" (love you pretty pre-printed gift boxes) gifts for 3 said packages, plus 2 for my angel kid and one for Jasyline and Mom's jacket. NTS: next year Mom wants a cardigan.

Tonight on the list will be making dinner, doing whites because some people insist on wearing white socks and clean underwear AND clean uniforms for Jake. Also on the list will be starting fuzzy feet #4 while watching Pushing Daisies. Please notice that I said watching, because I am getting better at my knitting and am able to *sporadically* watch and knit at the same time. Yay for progress.

Saturday night is the Disney Christmas party and I make that 3 days in which to get a dress. Perhaps tonight - post dinner, pre tee vee. We'll see.

And finally, Grandma is in the hospital with groin pain (and for those of you, who like me, arent med students, that is the top of the legs and not the bottom of the torso). Docs have ruled out a blood clot which is good, but still leaves questions. Please keep her in your prayers. Thank you. That is all.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Lotsa stuff (knitting at the end

Friday Sean was sick so I stayed home from work. Travis was home, and we ended up going to the big tent sale at Disney -can't beat 70% off cool stuff! We got a few gifts, and a thing or 2 for ourselves. Sean enjoyed it for the most part, but did get a little frustrated sitting in the buggy. Travis had turned to look at something and apparently Sean took that opportunity to get a better look around:












He's just so funny! We ate at Raglan Road, where I shared my shephards pie and he liked it!

Saturday was the Christmas tea, and here is what my table looked like (before the plates of goodies came):









I didnt win, but that's ok. It was fun, and we got to see the production of A Christmas Carol, which was great. After the tea we 8 (me, Trav, the boys, Jason & Stacy and the in-laws) packed into the Trail Blazer and headed to Magic Kingdom. It was a nice time, and the castle is beautiful with all the twinkle faerie lights. I'd show you but Travis took those pictures.

Sunday, Jake hung out with the grandparents and Sean and I headed over to my Mom's place to take pics for the Green Armada publicity campaign. They came out pretty good I think, and again since I took the pics with Travis' camera I dont have them here to share. I will as soon as I get them though. Cliff is working with Green Armada now as a captain, and they do great work in cleaning up our waterways. The pics that I took on Sunday were in downtown St Pete, right next to a theater - and boy was it disgusting! Hopefully they are able to raise some money and get companies to sponsor clean-ups. Of course they are always looking for volunteers to do the clean-ups too! It's good work.

I finished my MIL's slipper except for the felting, and I plan to do that tonight. I will make sure to get a picture of a before and after together which will show you just how much it shrinks up when I wash it. I have also started another pair (whoops!) since I had enough yarn leftover. The goal is to get it done by Christmas... wish me luck!

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Christmas humor

I have gotten some accomplished on the slipper, I am on the round and round part, so thats good. I was working on chair covers for the Christmas tea at lunch, so I wasnt able to knit. Tonight we're putting stuff on the tree that has been in the dining room fo 2 days, so probably no knitting tonight. It twill be done tomorrow. I also started making my Christmas cards. Oh, dont get me wrong - most people will be getting the REALLY cute one I designed with the kids pics on them, but last year after Christmas I got a card making kit at Joanns for like 75% off, so it was $3 for 12 cards or some such thing. I'll give them to a select few, and everyone else gets to admire my adorable childrens.

I wanted to share this comic strip that lives on my desk (with 2 friends) and is appropriate for the season. It was first published in 1999, and I love it! Enjoy, and hopefully I'll have something more substantial to say tomorrow.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Not much going on

Hi there. How are you? I'm doing ok, just tired. I am wating for Sean to learn the value of a good nights sleep, and I pray it happens soon! Let's see, what's going on... Yesterday was Travis' birthday. He and his dad did the Richard Petty Experience where they got to be a passenger in a race car going very fast. They both had a grand time.

Travis hurt his foot taking the garbage out Sunday, split the nail on his big toe of his right food and some scrapes on the top of his foot. He wasnt happy. So, I guess it was a good thing he wasnt doing the driving at Richard Petty because owie foot + driving 150mph = BIGTIME owie.

Last week, as I think I told you, Jake had 2 red faces and got to take a trip to the principals office... thus not letting us go to Disney on Saturday. Yesterday, green face - so far so good! We threatened that for any non-green faces he receives, one of his Christmas presents will be donated to toys for tots. I'm not sure which of the following made him behave yesterday:

*Mommy or Daddy gets to eat the chocolate from the Advent Calendar
*Mamaw was very disappointed that we werent able to Disney
*No gameboy or picking what is on tv
*His presents going to toys for tots
*doing extra chores is not fun
*Going to bed early and not getting to stay up as late as Sean is not fun

Whos to say, but it's working, for yesterday anyway. Wish us luck.

I've gotten a little more done on the 2nd slipper, at lunch I should be able to do the heel turn and gusset, so tonight or tomorrow I should finish it. Yay!

That's all I've got. I hope all is well for all of you. Only 21 more knitting, er shopping days 'til Christmas.

Monday, December 03, 2007

Some progress...

Look.... hats! There is 1 to show you the detail, and 2 to show you the colors - one's gray and one's blue.


























I am pleased at how they turned out, and hopefully the boys will like them too.

As far as Christmas knitting and crocheting goes - I have 1 slipper left and I'm almost to the heel on that. And as far as Christmas in general goes - I have 1 slipper and 1 chocolate cake to go and I'm DONE! I think. Pretty sure anyway.

This weekend went ok I suppose. Saturday we were supposed to go to Disney but Jake got a red face and got sent to the principals office (!!!) for talking across the room to one of his little friends. Not Happy! So, we stayed home and cleaned the house and got it ready for Christmas decorations.

Yesterday He went to my MIL's to clean around there and do some errands. Sean and I went to my Moms to hang out and do some shopping. I had sent her to a garage sale I saw online that advertised yarn and craft items - and she went for me. I should have taken a picture, maybe I'll do that tonigt but $6 got a white garbage bag FULL plus a medium size box full of yarn. Mostly acrylic, some blends - all pretty old but that kind of yarn will be great for chrity work. A lot of blues, and quite a bit of the same of a few different ones, so that's nice. We hung out at her house crocheting (I've gotten her back into it) chatting then we went all over looking for a teapot for me. We didnt find a teapot, but she got 2 sheets, some gift items, chocolate covere cherries and cheese, I got some yarn (shh), gift items for my angel kid, chocolate covered cherries and some fruit roll ups. We went to the Dollar Tree and had a 10% off coupon! Then to celebrate our savings, we went to marble slab next door. Yummmmo. I tried that Michaels for hat sized needles (I need some 8 & 9 16") but only saw clover and I didnt have my coupon. And since I wouldnt pay $9 for a hat needle I left EMPTY HANDED!! I know, the shock! But, at the dollar store I scored about 6 skeins of blue incredible. I think I have a cute tank pattern for it. All in all, lots of fun.

One more pic then it's back to work for me: