Recently Mic has stopped calling me Mommy and Jamey Daddy. It's all Mom and Dad now. He's just too cool now.
I've been neglecting this blog shockingly. I have tons of pics to share. Just haven't gotten around to it. Bad bad Birdwell!
The kids gave me cards--each signed their name. Mic was reluctant because he thinks cards are boring--but cheered up when Jamey brought in the gifts. He later hid his card.
I got a beautiful Cally Lilly and a new crock pot--I've been dropping not so subtle hints that I wanted the new three in one crock pot. Grin. Also got the requisite candy and wine (it's kosher mom!!).
Video!!
Mic is on the far left---my camera won't zoom for video. This was last weeks game. I need to post what I took of yesterday's game.
Not much happened at casa Birdwell. I didn't imbibe any alcohol because I was buckin' the trend. Why is it tradition to drink alcohol on New Years...is it the "party" atmosphere or is it drowning you're disappoints in the old year and the fears of the new? (Of course my Mom is screaming at her monitor as she reads this, "It's a SIN!!") In any case I didn't see the point. I'm careful with my alcohol consumption--using it to unwind or because I am craving some amaretto or something. (My mom is still screaming...)
I don't know about other cities (tell me what you folks do in your respective cities--I dare you to comment), but San Antonio goes nuts for the fireworks. Even though it's illegal in the city--nearly every street has someone that is setting off fireworks. (I pussied out again and didn't report my neighbors--now that's a tradition!) The fireworks continue sporadically through out the night as fireworks mustn't be wasted or are found behind the gun rack. Mic came in our room some time last night (the alarm clock is too far away from me to see with out my glasses--yeah a whole 2 feet), terrified because a stray firework bang woke him up. He was convinced it was a BAD GUY in our backyard...and that he was going to get us. (Mic has this really weird obsession about the BAD GUYS). He told me his "plan" for surviving his encounter with the BAD GUYS, it involved hiding under his bed. I was too tired to ask him if he would save his sister. I cuddled with him, soothed him, and told him that there were no bad guys in our backyard and he was safe. Poor guy.
Some time later, he was fine and wanted to go back to his bed.
It's finally getting cold here: for three whole days. It was 32 last night, 54 today, 25 tonight into tomorrow, 48 tomorrow, 28 the next night and 55 that day...then the weekend? Yep you guessed it back into the 70s. What is a knitter to do here in South Texas?
Me> I am staying off the streets...away from the Locos that drink and drive and shoot fire crackers into dry brush. Yeah I am totally going to bed with the phone in my hand so I can call the police on my idiot neighbors that set fireworks off next to my house...Hello we haven't mowed the back lawn in at least 7 months--maybe more--and now it's dry and windy. I do NOT want to have to decide between my children and my awesome yarn stash. That's what I'd like to say to the operator at the hotline. I'll probably just whisper: Those muthafukas are trying to KILL me!!
LOL
I seriously can't believe it's 2008 tomorrow. Nuts--it's amazing how fast time passes as you get older... It still weirds me out.
And I'll totally see about setting about think about those goals I posted about.
I make many of the same resolutions year after year...I dare to call them goals. Resolutions always seem to be easier to break than goals. Goals, for me, are more permanent and have annotated plans attached to them. Being raised LDS, goal setting is introduced and taught early and often. The idea stunk in...the application not always--goals for me end up in the same bin a resolutions: the I'll Get On It Tomorrow Bin.
Now, I am 30. I cannot deny (despite having two kids, two cats, and a mortgage) that I am an adult and I need to actually accomplish the goals I set for myself. (I can hear my Mom saying, "About time!!")
With out further ado (and procrastinating and grand standing), my 2008 GOALS!:
1. De-clutter my home (and keep it that way) 2. Organise my life: education, business, hobbies, head of house duties 3. Use my blog as a way to improve my writing rather than a verbal vomit vessel 4. See other knitters knit and showcase my knit patterns
I found two awesome sites this morning that I think I will find quite helpful. First, Unclutterer (found via Slashfood)and great tool from Good Housekeeping (found on Unclutterer) called 30 Minute Clutter Solution. Together with the Housebook I created last year and a dash (or more) of discipline and do believe I can clear my space this year.
As for this blog: my faithful readers (I heart you all) know I have been writing (sometimes I think this word is applied rather loosely) here for nearly 8 years and I have despaired at my lack of readership growth. Obviously the straight journal approach is not working. Not only that, but I feel that I am not exercising my writing muscle except for making sure there aren't any typos (even that I fail miserably)--so I am going to try to write in an essay format. I'll still share personal stories and anecdotes, but without the verbal vomit (my new favourite phrase).
I really, really want to feel the personal satisfaction of seeing other's knit up my original knitting designs. Still after all these years, P and Q: I want to be famouz.
Christmas was fantastic! Kids had great fun (which is the important thing) and I got some great stuff I am excited about. Most of all, and most importantly, my brother Phil was able to spend the Holiday with us. It was awesome having him here. The kids were so happy and hyper and used Phil as a jungle gym. Mic got us all up at around 7.30 am. He saw me nearly empty stocking and told me that I must have been on Santa's naughty list. Nah, Santa just favours the kids. I feel so blessed that we can give the kids the toys they want (lucky they aren't into the pricey toys).
After a morning of playing with gifts and dozing, we went to see National Treasure 2. Then homeward to make lasagna for Christmas dinner. I forgot to put the bread in the machine before leaving...so we didn't have any of the yummy bread I had planned on using...maybe tonight.
Today I have been lazing around watching the DVDs we got for Christmas...knitting a teeny bit and trying to grow Triops.
Last night I ordered (or was it the night before), my self a Penny Whistle (it's also called a tin whistle...my friend M. calls it a Tooty Flutey). I am so excited!!! I've wanted one for ages...years...although I have only been pining over it for a few months since I found the link to sites that sold them. I love the sound of them and I only hope I can play it well. I was in the Recorder club in elementary school....(LOL--yeah I know) and I already know how to read music. I am trying not to be embarrassed by my new obsession. Doesn't help that M. says I am going to play my "tooty flutey" on the backyard fence like an elf.
Pfft.
Tonight, I ordered myself Corel Paint Shop Pro v 10. X2 is too new for my Win 2000 (sue me I hate XP and Vista--really folks if I wanted my OS to look like Apple I would have bought an Apple. Sigh.) Anyways, ranting aside, I am so excited to get a new photo/image editing software. Hopefully now my photos can kick some arse. And I can make some cool graphics.
I wondered if I should have let Jamey buy me the software, but he's sick and I wanted to make sure I got it. Did I tell you it was 20 dollars??! HA! Awesome.
Happy Early Christmas to me. Sure I won't get all this till after the holidays--be a miracle if I got it before the New Year, but when I do--ooo I'll take PICTURES!
Jamey was sick today. He swears he has three different kinds of headaches. However I am not going to let a little thing like illness stop Christmas shopping and a chance for me to shower and get out of the house.
So let's ditch Jamey and take the kids out Christmas shopping with Mommy!!!!
Actually I didn't get annoyed until Lori peed in the toy aisle of Target. An that was three hours after we left home (I had stopped asking if she needed to go potty an hour before.)
Anyhoo--I took the kids for pancakes at IHOP...scratch that kid. Lorelei fell asleep...and didn't wake up until we were in Walmart two hours later. Mic had a healthy dinner of chocolate chip Funny Face. I had an equally healthy heart clogging steak and eggs with pancakes and COFFEE!!!! (The coffee I think helped the shopping IMHO). Despite having to return a well done steak for the medium rare I ordered (I like my steak quietly mooing), it was a fun dinner just Micci and me.
Then on to Wal-Mart for mondo toy shopping. We spent the money that some of the family sent for the kids on gifts (pics forthcoming for certain people to print out for the family--if its not too much trouble). I bought the traditional under things for Jamey and Micci and me. Lorelei not so much since I've bought her tons of underwear lately (although I would love to find her some fun tights--but I think the truly fun ones start at a size 4 not a size 3). The kids also bought for each other...in a round about way. All Lorelei wanted to get Micci was a baby.
We also got some cute slippers for the kids and pj's for Lorelei. And my sweet, thoughtful kids got me a sewing machine carrier/holder. AND finally Micci got some bed sheets that weren't pink and flowery.
Santa still needed some help for the gifts the kids were dying for. Mega Spinosaurus for Micci and Lorelei I had to improvise. She wanted Disney Princess Cash Register, but I can't find it anywhere--saw it two weeks ago but someone didn't want to buy it then. However, I really wanted a cash register that had arithmetic functions and Lorelei really liked playing with any sort of cash register. I found a great little one that I like much better. It'll also be great to teach both kids about money as well.
I'm DONE! Things started to go south in Target when Lorelei peed in the toys aisle. I am so tired of pee. Really really tired of pee. When ever I get the urge to think of a third child (hmmm that fresh baby smell!!!), I just think of urine...urine EVERYWHERE!! Anyhoo. We still had to go to HEB and buy stuff for Christmas baking.
I've also made the unilateral decision to NOT make a fancy Christmas dinner. Since no one will eat it all...and even though I LOVE Turkey soup--I don't have the heart to go through all the prep and pick up afterwards. So I am either making Birdy's Awesome Lasagna or having Jamey pick up HEB's Chef Prepared Chicken Pies. (It's a toss between actually working in the kitchen or just popping it in the oven at the appointed time.) If I DO make the lasagna, I'll post pics and a recipe--cause it's AWESOME and fast (no boiling the pasta).
BUT, I am going to do some Christmas baking. So far I've come up with: Bird's Nests, oatmeal scotchies, peanut butter spiked brownies, and chocolate no bake cookies. I'd love to make some mint and chocolate cookies, but alas Jamey doesn't like mint...poot.
So I have a week to get my shite together. Cleaning, cooking, and knitting. Adamas is STILL on the needles...sigh.
To continue: the kids got ice cream at HEB because they were good while we shopped our butts off. But it's just another reminder that yes these are my kids. Wanting ice cream when the weathers in the 40s...it's so like me. Poor Jamey was still sick when we got home. He threw up while we were gone. And only got out of bed to use the toilet.
It so cold here! It's actually odd that it's this cold (the highs have only been in the 40s) in November. Usually we are wearing shorts and T-shirts on Thanksgiving. My hot cocoa got cold 5 minutes after I made it.
This is my excuse for not blogging this weekend.
Paltry, huh?
This weekend we helped the economy...did our bit. Not a lot but some...especially for the hobby sector. Lorelei has me thoroughly convinced that she really really wants a cash register for Christmas (she's been eyeing the Princess one). Every toy department we go into she spends ten minutes playing with the various cash registers. Oh, I also bought her a Hannah Montana wig...to cover up her hair. I don't think pictures can convey it properly....it's just horrible. One side, she looks okay--a bit of a ragamuffin but not bad...the other side--she looks like some sort of punk reject.
One of my favourite stores EVER is TJ Maxx. They always have the neatest things. Last night I stumbled upon Calico Critters AKA Sylvanian Families. They didn't have much, but they had one little girl bunny with a doll house, a birthday party set, a wedding set, and a wedding party set...oh I nearly bought the whole thing.
So what if I have a weird attachment to toys from my childhood...
I have so many things to be thankful for. Too many to list here...but I'll make it quick.
My husband an my kids--for their love and understanding.
My knitting friends--to commiserate and knit with.
My Quimby and Phisto--for true soul friends are rare indeed and I have been blessed twice.
My country--it is after all The United Stated of America--a place founded on liberty and choice and accountibilty--even if we do forget from time to time.
My ecomonic security and freedoms.
Lastly I am thankful for my two cats--who are sweet and haven't yet tried to kill each other.
Our Thanksgiving dinner was fun--a bit late, but it was delicious. Micci tore into the drumsticks like a lion. Lorelei loaded up on corn and sweet potato casserole. Jamey and I had a little bit of everthing...with a good dose of asparagus for me.
It doesn't happen every year--heck most Thanksgiving we walk around in shorts and tank tops, but it will be COLD for Thanksgiving. Okay cold for Texas...it'll be in the 50s.
The front blew through this evening and as soon as I stepped outside to head to HEB for last minute shopping, POW--it felt like a vise had clamped on to my skull. I almost tossed my cookies too.
Yes that is my super power: feeling pressure changes with me head.
Anyhoo--we'e all set for Thanksgiving...really this time. I just wish we had more family here. But Phil has to work and Craig is going to my pparents. Jamey of course has to work (well not HAS to he gets paid time and a half). So that rules out US going aynywhere for he holiday. Lucily, this year Mic seems more excited to eat turkey--although he got grossed out by the pumpkin pie.
Jamey brought home our Thanksgiving In A Box. I bought the fixings for Sweet Potato Casserole last night. We are all set (okay HEB still has our pumpkin pie and cool whip, but we'll get that tomorrow). Jamey also picked up the stuff for his famouz Turkey Soup (to DIE for).
Even Micci is excited about Thanksgiving. Yes, Mr I Am Picky As Hell, wants turkey.
The house needs a bit of work: that's for Tomorrow. And Thursday the kids and I can make decorations...
Already? Thanksgiving is less than a week away? How? When? Who? It always amazes me that once you get to Halloween, how quickly the year slips by.
Knitdown to Christmas. Poof New Year. And especially this year the big 3-0.
I had some great adult time today--so very refreshing. And the kids had some good kid time as well.
I am so tired and I think I am rambling. LOL.
Since it's just us for Thanksgiving--we're having a small but traditional dinner. Of course it's the next day's soup that I am really looking forward to. Jamey makes an awesome Turkey Soup.
It's interesting reading Mommy blogs and such--hearing people talking about what to do with all that candy!?! Most toss it. WTF? Why? All the kids candy was gone two days ago... Some went into their tummies...but most...yeap that's right: Mommy Tax! Why else did I have children--so I could go trick or treating into my 30's.
I've actually gotten better in the candy department...I used to always have candy in the house--my private stash hidden away, so I could get my daily--erm hourly fix. Now--I can go whole days with out eating candy. Of course this time of year is my favourite--candy all the time everywhere!!
Halloween candy...special candy corn, peanut butter taffy, peanut butter coins, CARAMEL APPLES with nuts! Christmas candy (which is ALREADY in the stores)...candy canes, mints, Dove inspiration candies, green and red M&Ms!! oh and FUDGE!!!! HAHAHA!!
I love Fudge...my Grandma makes great fudge from Marshmellow fluff...YUM! But heck any fudge will do--
Only downside to my love of candy...is the looks of disbelief when people see a 100 pound chick shoving a pound of candy into her gullet. I am always asked to explain myself--umm--eating it now while I still have jack rabbit metabolism? I figureI got 5 years left to burn.
November always wants me to pull my hair out and hide under my blankets. THe holidays are upon us. Thanksgiving is weeks away--Christmas is less than 2 months away. AND everything is happening right now. This year is no different.
Oh well.
I desperately want to participate in NaNoWriMo this year. I hate that I don't write as much or as well as I used to. I figure NaBloPoMo will hopefully inspire me--get me writing better or something.
I am betting on "something."
I have my Crafy Show on Saturday--I also want my new website up too. Not to mention Christmas Knitting. ARGH.
I am hoping Phil can come down for Thanksgiving--he's actually finally getting divorced. He's so tired, so stressed out I just want to be there for him.
I had all these ideas for the first day of NaBloPoMo...and ya know all those are gone. Poof. That is why I need an iTouch...I need to BLOG any time anywhere.
Halloween was a success--lot's of candy and lot's of ooohs and aaaaawwws over the kiddoes costumes. Today we hit the post-halloween sales for costumes for the dress up chest. After all you can't have too many princess outfits for a little girl. Suprisinly, Jamey was the one that bought the discounted candy. Usually it's me that's hittin' the sugar.
I have ten days till my craft fair (I am selling my knitting patterns and knitted beaded bracelets)--I have A LOT more to finish. I also would prefer to have my new web site by then. We shall see.
Maybe tomorrow I'll be brillant--or at the very least remember my brillance.
GOt the pumpkins carved. Roasted the pumpkin seeds. Got the candy. Got the costumes. Ready set go!
I just love pumpkins seeds. I toss some salt and garlic powder and roased them in the oven at 300 degrees and poof deliciousness. I also don't wash the seeds so the pumpkiny goodness is still on the hulls.
Poor Jamey is at a loss as what to be. For the past two years he's gone as Charlie Brown...he can't be a Renaissance Princess now that my mom moved--they were the same size.
I think I hate myself. It's not like I don't put enough on my plate, now I added one more thing. NaBloPoMo: the goal write a blog post every day for the month of November. LOL. I totally suck at NaNoWriMo, so let's try bite sized right? Right. I think I tried this last year, can't remember--and I think I failed after the third day. Someone go check--get back to me. (Which reminds me I need to do maintainance on the archives)
Let me see--I got homeschooling, knitting business to start up (that's like five things in one huge complex package), craft fair, Christmas, cleaning, reading, writing rash that always need an occasional itching, and Ravelry playing. I know I am leaving something out.
BUT if I stick to this new goal--it'll be a good outlet. Perhaps even increase my readership so I'll get the hate mail I want so much. (All the cool kids get it.)
On Halloween news: kids costume are ready. Pumpkins and candy bought. I even have my costume. Something Anita Blake inspired. Smirk.
I love candy corn, but I never eat it unless it's October.
My in-laws left this morning and Jamey went to work. Life back to normal. As usual the holiday season has snuck up on me. Halloween is days away ad no costumes, no pumpkins, no decorations. And I got a craft fair to knit up for...it's less than two weeks away. I am so screwed.
Gone is the childhood time warp. Back then time passed agonisingly slowly. Now--now I blink in September and then it's Christmas.
Well actually in a van, named Spencer. Tomorrow evening we are setting out to a week at Myrtle Beach for sun and surf and a week with family. I should still be able to go online--but I am not making any promises.
In other news: 18 more days till HARRY POTTER the movie comes out!!! and 28 till the BOOK!!!!!! Skippity Skippity.
Thursday--all of a sudden I felt so much better. I think I was right--women problems...sigh...hormones are so frustrating.
Last night was wonderful! My Spurs won the NBA Championship for the 4th time!! And true to form the awesome citizen's of San Antonio conducted themselves fantastically during our in to the wee hours of the morning street party. The police chief (a new guy from Phoenix) said that the only problems they had was convincing people to stop hanging out of their car windows. Grin. Yeah that's our big problem.
I am so proud of Tony Parker too--I am a huge fan and it was so neat to see him get the MVP trophy. Eva was so cute snapping photo's of him--you would think a big Hollywood star would need snap shots. (See, here in S.A. our Spurs and their families are like OUR families--they're not super stars--they are super guys.)
I also finished my my secret project and I am crossing my fingers and toes, but I will let my breath out. I am fully expecting a rejection letter. But it's a good experience. Whew.
So between that and the Spurs winning, I got no sleep last night. BUT I did finally delete all my email spam--all 14,000...yes---fourteen thousand. A typical month see me getting about 4,000 spams. That does not include the hundreds and hundreds of emails that I want (yahoo groups and friends).
We leave for Myrtle Beach in exactly a week--a week of beach fun (and I found a yarn shop in N. Myrtle Beach--grin) and then a week with my in-laws (and the vastness that is their family) and a couple days with my family. For the first time in years, my entire family will be in the same place at the same time. Phil will probably be deployed soon after to Iraq. He's in intel (back office) so he won't be shooting at anyone, but still there's roadside bombs, suicide bombs, and snipers. I wonder if my other brother is jealous. Craig has been itching to be deployed (he's a medic) and so far he hasn't, whereas Phil's already been to Afghanistan. But I don't mind--Craig WILL be in the thick of things--so him working in an ER in S. Carolina is fine with me. It scares me to think of the horrors Craig will see when he does go to Iraq. I wonder what it'll do to him.
Spurs advance in the Play Offs....good bye Suns. Whew! It was a great series. Now we can steam roll the Jazz and then go on to the Finals.
The family took me out for my observed Mother's Day day out. Couldn't go to my favourite restaurant (Carrabas) because it wasn't open--so we went to Logan's Road House--the kids love the peanuts. And I love the butter drenched steaks. Really, what could be better for your arteries??? Smirk.
Lorelei discovered honey mustard sauce and practically bathed in it. That girl LOVES to dip. Mic, well he made sure nothing weird touched his chicken tenders.
After wards we caught Spiderman 3. Great flick. AND I saw the Harry Potter 5 trailer---WOW! I've seen all the trailers already on my computer--but on the big screen---OH_MY_GAWD!! I poked Jamey, "See? THIS is why I am so excited about the movie!" He's been teasing me lately. Pfft. Anyway--Spidey--good good movie--I even cried at the end. This summer is SO not far on our budget. There are ALL kinds of great movies I want to see this summer. Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, Fantastic 4...
I am really enjoying working on my Clapotis (L/ mentioned to me it sounds like some sort of disease--esp. it's nickname: Clappy). Pictures are locked in my camera (just to lazy to upload the lot). I am almost on the main body. I love that I don't need to keep the pattern attached to my hip, but it's not boring pure stockinette (although it looks like it should be).
I've been a bit busy with the house and other projects--so I have been neglecting the blog shamelessly. That and I am lazy---evidenced by the lack of pictures....I just don't feel like editing the pics and ftping and all that jazz.
Well have you? It's getting late---if you haven't by now--you better hop to it. She cleaned up your vomit--so you better kiss her feet.
Mother's Day here at Casa Birdy has been pretty sucky. Mic is sick (feverish and vomiting) and Mother's Day dinner out is cancelled due to work thingy...grrr. AND I am on the rag.
The house is a mess. I wish I had a fairy god-person to whip out a wand and poof the mess out of existence. Spending Mother's Day cleaning isn't my day of fun--although I should have foreseen this and cleaned the house any day before now....but well I am not so good on the planning or will power thingy.
Off to call my Mama--since i don't think an e-card is quite enough...
It's a chilly morning and the kids are wolfing down their Easter candy. For a few days this week Micci hated the Easter bunny because Mic was being impatient. But after meeting the Easter Bunny at HEB--he warmed up to him.
We're planning a non-traditional Easter Dinner---instead of HAM--we're having Lasagna. I love Ham but--with so few of us and a certain picky eater--it's not worth it. Lasagna is equally special since it can be expensive to make (Esp. when I make it) and it's terrific as a left over.
Both kids were very excited to see their Easter baskets--full of little gifties and candy. Last night we colored eggs--the kids were finally old enough to participate in the process and NO MESSES were made--yippee!!
Funny that this being a celebration of spring* and it's cold and wet and freezing! I fel for the poor blue bonnets. Of course this being Texas by Tuesday it'll be in the 80s. Then soon completely intolerable and I'll be envying Phisto in Denver.
It is nice though to spend Easter with Phil while his going through this rough time. Right now he's showing the kids all of his pictures from his computer---they totally love seeing pictures of themselves--Mic is fascinated by Phil's extensive Lego collection.
Happy Easter and keep WARM!
* Although I am a Christian I don't place much emphasis on Christ's death and resurrection, i.e. the traditional Christian Easter celebration. It's my personal belief that it's more important to focus on how Christ LIVES his life instead of how he LEFT his life. After there is no hope in following Christ in his death and resurrection if we do not follow in his life work. However I do give pause for his pain and suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane--without it our good works would be pointless--but living a Christ-like life is OUR job as his taking on our sins is HIS job. And we should focus on our job.
San Antonio always has big New Year's Celebration. Everyone either goes downtown to gather around the Tower of Americas or they stay home and set off their own fireworks.
This year the fireworks poping around my house just reminded me of bombs and gunfire and the reality that both of my brother's will be going to Iraq this year. One is an intell analyst and the other is a combat medic. I am very scared for them. I worried most of last night what I would, what my family would do if we lost one or both of them.
What scares me most is a dream I had just a bit over ten years ago about both of them being in a war and one of them dying. Most people tell me oh it was just a dream...and I tell myself that too...but I had this dream while I was awake. It took me a very long time to "recover" from that dream. I spent the next month walking around in a daze--how do I gone on normally knowing what I saw and felt. No matter if it comes true or not I KNOW what it feels like to lose a brother--even if it was for a few minutes in a very real dream.
And just guess which one I dreamed I lost--yep the combat medic--the one most likely not to come back. He's coming back to the States from S. Korea next week. I am not sure if I'll be able to let him go when it's time for him to go to his Post.
So last night with the sounds of bombs and gunfire in the air I just cried. Praying to Jesus to keep them safe and not really getting an answer just a warm presence that He was there for me.
Instructions: Go to the FIRST BLOG of each month for the past year. Copy and paste the LAST SENTENCE of each blog. That is your Year in Review.
December 2005 - I couldn't even finish Nanowrimo this year.
January 2006 - Two goals for 2006: 1. Organise 2. Be interesting on my blog.
February 2006 - Hopefully this month gives us some true winter temperatures and less aggravation.
March 2006 - That is what I am refering to as March Madness...that and I am going to get a clean house this month!!
April 2006 - Sure some people survive horrendous childhoods, but not many.
May 2006 - I just hope who ever dishes out Karma was watching.
June 2006 - And of course I am missing J. well, we'll meet again soon
July 2006 - I'll go on about that later...right now I only have time for a quick post to let the world knows we're back!!
August 2006 - I have been good though too, and have managed to pick up the office in between swearing at my computer...though you can barely tell.
September 2006 - I could go on and on, but I don't want any one to get the impression that I hate my kids.
October 2006 - And he was put in his room for sleep when we went to bed...he just snuck out and quietly turned on the TV.
November 2006 - Something 'bout shifting realities hits a wee bit close to home.
Now there it is. (I am not sure if by "first blog" that meant first post of the month or the first post at the top of the page-the LAST post of the month) Funny--at no time does it mention the two things that gripped us this year...BAD LUCK and me feeling like wasteful useless crap.
But it does give the impression that my kids drive me nuts, I might be a bit nuts and I am a hopeful nut. So in a nutshell--I am a nut.
It was a good Christmas...after playing with the loads of presents we went to see Eragon at the theatre down the street (Mic is a sucker for dragon movies, as am I). We had French Onion soup for Christmas dinner, very informal since we were all pooped from being up so early (and further punishing ourselves by being up at 1 am). I am back to knitting on the scarves doomed to be unfinished by Christmas. I am dreaming of all the fun lace and sock projects I can knit up with my new yarn. I need to get my Dad's done soon--before Spring returns at least.
J. is sitting by me surfing YouTube and found the video below, which I just had to share.
Real Men Knit, a trailer. I can vouch for that, Jamey knits--unfortunately he's been too busy lately. And he has yet to be seduced by YARN!! Mic got his first pair of knitting needles and ball of yarn. He's been pestering me teach him to knit for weeks. I also made him a wee tote for his knitting, it's covered with baasketballs and silver stars and Spurs stuff.
Speaking of knitting, I have another FO (finished object)--a small doll baby blanket for Lorelei's numerous dolls. I'll post the pattern in a bit. After the scarves of doom are finished, I shall start my first sock...well that's a lie...technically it will be my third, BUT Ihave yet to finish a sock...the most I have gotten is an inch and half, before the stockinet bored me to distraction.
We spent all day Christmas Eve watching a Rankin/Bass marathon on ABC Family...ya know the old stop motion Christmas stories. They didn't have the orginal Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, but they had all sorts of others....The Little Drummy Boy, Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July, The First Christmas Snow....et al. Lorelei felt a lot better --- which was a relief because I actually got the living room clean. (Can't tell now--withthe moutains of toys and wrapping paper.) We also went to Norad's Trackign Santa site. At first Micci was totally confused, "How can he be in Eygpt and still get us presents??"
I never found my camera, but Jamey brought home some disposable cameras...when we get those devloped I'll post them. No joke, we had presents sacked 4 feet high behind the tree. The kids helped us put all the gifts from family around the tree.
I woke up right when Micci opened his door, at 7 am...it was such a treat to hear him say, "Santa DID come. The milk is gone and the cookies! Santa came! I got MORE presents." He came to our bed all excited, "Santa came Santa came!" We laid in bed for a bit, waiting for Lorelei to wake up. Micci told us, "Santa is so good!! He;'s so nice!" I took a shower (folks Jamey had been at work so long without a day off...I hadn't the chance to shower in ages). By the time I was done, Lorelei woke up and the madness insued.
Micci got trains and Supermans, and books, dinosaurs, puzzles, and in his mind far too many clothes. At one point Micci got tired of opening gifts and just wanted to play. "There's too many presents!!" Lorelei paced herself and opened gifts, the played...and started eating her stocking candy. She got dolls, and dress up clothes, and lot's of cooking stuff for her new kitchen. Plus so much stuff, I lost count.
I opened my yarn I got for my birthday--it's SO pretty and feels so GOOD! I keep grinning like a fool when I see it--finally my respectable stash. I also used to Christmas money to buy MORE yarn....hee hee. A knitter can NEVER have too much yarn...especially the good natural stuff. I also got a new Singer sewing machine from my parents. And a quilting mat (to cut fabric) so now I can finally finish Micci's baby blanket quilt and Thomas bedspread...this year is gonna be busy crafting!
And the best Chrismtas present me and Jamey gave each other was getting caught up in all our bills. It; took 9 months, but we finally did it. 2006 will always be known as the year Muphy moved in. I pray that 2007 will be luckier.
I still have alot of work to do. And the kids are both sick. Lorelei was so sick all she wanted was me to hold her--no cleaning got done.
Mic was so excited this morning, "It's Christmas Eve!! We get to put the presents under the tree!" He literally danced around the tree. Lorelei doesn't quite have the same excitement...she has no idea that TOMORROW she gets to open presents, but I think she'll get the idea tomorrow morning.
It's really hard to get the living room cleaned up when Micci doesn't want to help out. All he wants to do is make messes. Kinda hard for Santas to come if he's tripping over toys and such.
We lost a present for Lorelei--a train that Micci got for her. I spent all evening looking for it...found a bunch of other things though. But not that. AND not the camera.
Lately I have been losing everything. It's driving me batty. My memory is even worse than it was before. I'll forget things minutes after someone told me about them.
I finished* ALL my Christmas knitting! And what did I go and do? Add one more to the pile...grin. I've been meaning to make Lorelei's a blanket for her dollies. So I am whipping one up real fast.
*I still have two scarves that did not have a snow ball's chance om Hell of being finished on time so they got pushed back a bit.
The kids are sick...their very own special Christmas Tradition. Not too bad though--mainly a hackng cough and runny noses.
Now I finally have time to search for my camera.
Christmas dinner has been planned. French Onion soup...and if I can convince Jamey--risotto with asparagus (Q, call me or email me so you can give me the recipe! That and YOU need some congratulating for finally getting that Masters in YOUR hand.). Simple since it's just us four and I want to enjoy Christmas instead of stressing in the kitchen.
Which is why I haven't blogged in ages. Like I do every year I bit off more than I could chew and have been frantically knitting up tons of Christmas gifts. I am hoping I can get them out by Christmas...some might be getting late Christmas presents. Sigh.
But I have finished some knitting which is a good thing. I can't find Burt (my camera) so no pictures of the finished products.
My Dad was here last week: I was able to give him gifts for that part of the family--saved on shipping! He also bought me a ton of yarn from Knit Picks--I have the beginnings of a respecable stash. Lot's of laceweight yarn...in wonderful fibers. Being an idiot though I bought too litle sock yarn in too many colors...meaning I bought 3 balss of sock yarn in three different colors...and it takes ONE ball to make ONE sock. So I am off to buy more sock yarn so I can actually make pairs of socks.
My Great Aunt Mart died early early Sunday morning. She was in a nursing home and was suffering from dementia...and may have had pancreatic cancer. In reality she had given up on living 20 years ago when my Uncle Sarge died. I didn't see her when we went up to see my Grandma in Mass. over the summer. I wanted to remember Auntie Mart the way she was when I was little, not the decrepited state that she was in. She would have been 84 next month.
My mom flew up for the funeral, which is tomorrow. My great aunt will be interred a few spaces beyond my Grandpa. I am sure going back to the cemetary will be very hard on my Grandma.
I'm supposed to clean today--grin I'll get to that eventually--I just need to knit a few more rows.
It wouldn't be Thanksgiving unless I burned myself. It's a solemn Thanksgiving tradition. You'd think I would keep burn ointment in the medicine cabinet.
Like last year, I once again burned myself with boiling hot fat filled gravy. Not too bad, just a 1st degree burn.
Thanksgiving was awesome--only out little family. Micci pigged out on corn, Lorelei nibbled on turkey and corn, and Jamey and I stuffed ourselves silly. Mic pestered us for days for asparagus for Thanksgiving. But once he laid eyes on the corn, everything else was forgotten. I didn't mind too much because I love asparagus...I steamed them in water, wine and crushed garlic---with a liberal dose of butter and a sprinkling of salt. YUM!
Then today, we made our traditional Turkey Soup...I wish I could adequately describe the smells eminating from our kitchen...the fresh herbs and the turkey giving all it's flavour and essence to the stock. Hmmm hmmm my favourite part about the holidays is the soup. We had L. and C. over for Soup and Spurs action--soup went over wonderfully, sadly the Spurs did not.
