Hmmm...

There are so many things I could say, but I think it's easier to just let you watch.

Sword fighting with fishing poles (duh)

So here's Tommy with his signature sticking-out-of-the-tongue-while-concentrating look. We were playing an ABC fishing game. I must have been bored with the game because I actually suggested that the fishing poles could instead be swords, and we had a mini sword fight with tiny plastic fishing poles. I realized then that Tommy never had heard the word sword nor seen one, so now he thinks it's really cool, and ohmygoodlordwhathaveidone. Truthfully, I'm not worried, and I thought it was fun, but knowing that his babysitter has already made it very clear that her classes have taught that they don't like children to like Power Rangers due to the fighting involved (which is really funny, in and of itself, as just in case you haven't already figured it out ...by the fact that Tommy didn't even know what a sword was ...and if you remember that we don't have cable ...and if you know me at all you already know Tommy is pretty strictly limited to PBS shows (ok, maybe a nick jr show like Blues Clues or Dora on a weekend-oh no!)... he has never watched Power Rangers anyway -but whatever) has me wondering what type of look I'll get on Thursday when I bring Tommy back after he has spent the day there tomorrow. It could be interesting.

Ah, well. I love my kiddo. And sometimes it's just fun to be a mom.

Doh!

I just have to mention that in the midst of my intense six-hour-straight cleaning session on Saturday I replaced that light bulb I mentioned had blown. What happened? The other bulb blew that same day.

Last Friday night, too, while we were on our way to New Hampshire, I happened to look down and see a light coming from inside my purse. I pulled out my cell phone and played with a few things. Then I went in to backgrounds and photos only to find that I had 87 photos of the inside of my purse. I am not exaggerating. Of course, in order to delete them I had to go into each nothing-but-black photo separately and click options, then delete, and then wait for the little trash can graphic to do its thing. Yeah. I had read about this problem with that camera button on the side, but in the many months that I have had the phone it never happened. Until Friday.

Tired Chocolate Yarn

...or something like that.

I am exhausted. I accomplished a lot this weekend. Yesterday, in particular, I went through all of Tommy's bags of hand-me-downs and separated them by what fits now or will soon and by what will take a while. I then emptied Tommy's closet and drawers to make the switch and bag a large collection of hand-me-downs for the younger cousins. It was a big project. It was nice though. The clothes Tommy has received are all in good taste-some very nice, and I am so grateful.

The only thing we were missing was pants, so Tommy and I made a trip out today. It was a good excuse to hit a craft store as well, and while I love going to craft stores any time, Halloween is especially fun. It's mostly because of Tommy. Halloween never meant much to me until Tommy became old enough to enjoy it. He is a really big fan.

We ended up bringing home the means to make some very festive chocolate lollipops. They were simple enough, but when chocolate is involved, can you really go wrong? We will do it again some time. Next time, though, I will buy more than one mold. I'm not quite sure what I was thinking there. It was not one of my brighter moments.

Of course I also made a very small yarn purchase. I needed something small (and cheap) to make while trying to save up for the materials needed for a fisherman's sweater, so I bought some Lion Brand Magic Stripes. I thought it was a good idea at the time, but now that I am making the socks, I am beginning to think they are rather ugly (no offense to those of you who might like the design - clearly I liked something about it, since I purchased it), not to mention a far cry from the kind of softness experienced with my first pair of socks. Since I spent the money I will make them anyway; there is no need to waste the yarn. I will still enjoy knitting them enough, I suppose. Next time, though, I will have to be more careful when selecting my yarn. (I figured I couldn't be too picky at a general craft store.) Ah well, live and learn.

Wow, I really wasn't thinking clearly this morning, was I?

In any case, the game is on, so I need to relocate to the couch for a while. Go Patriots!

Until next time!

Dominoes

I know this is out there, and there's a good chance you already saw it. Still, I thought it was worth showing again - and saving.



I particularly like the "woo hoo" at the end.

Yet Another Idea To Hold On To

When I first saw this picture I was very intrigued. The design is ingenious and beautiful. I'm just not sure how I feel about knitting with wire. Interesting. From the photos, I imagine it must be worth it, but I just don't know.

Congratulations are in order!

CONGRATULATIONS Paul and Stephanie on your announcement!!! So exciting! I can't wait to meet Baby! :)

Further follow-up to our weekend

How funny are these two? I have posted more pictures from our weekend here.

I also uploaded a very short video of Dal running for a first down. I think I'm going to have to order a mug or magnet or something so I can show off some more. There is an area photographer who posts photos online for purchase. I particularly like one photo where Dal is running with the ball and you can see only one kid behind him who looks to be about half Dal's size. (If you haven't watched 4th and 5th graders play football before, or in a while-like me, they look so small on the field - and yet so professional-like. The games are entertaining too.) Clearly, I am one proud auntie.

While we were visiting I made another mini sweater. Those little things are addicting! However, I will not be attempting three color stripes on a project that small ever again. Holy huge mess of needles and yarn!!!

I really need to come up with my next project. My brother suggested a fishermen's sweater (for him). It would be a big challenge for me, but I still want to try it. I'm saving up my pennies for a pattern and some materials. There are other ideas in the project spectrum as well, including more socks, mittens, and Odessa. I think I might want to try the sweater first, though. I know it is likely way over my head, but I need to break away from all this little stuff from a while. Then after a project like that I will need the little stuff again for sure.

Of course, I have another test coming up, so I should probably take some time to study first. Eh.

Family

First, and this has nothing to do with family, but I just have to say headaches that last several days in a row with no relief really stink.

Back to the subject at hand, I still have a hard time believing Dallas is 10 years old, even though it did become a reality when I watched him play football on Sunday. If you've read Beck's Blog you know he is the starting QB and kicks the extra points and kick returns, so we really got to see him play. Very cool. Pics soon.

Also, I mentioned last week that I love visits with my mom and waking up there for a relaxing breakfast with family. Another thing that just can't be beat is watching all the kiddos play. Beautiful little Brooke with her big blue eyes and stunning red hair -and silly Tom and Brady once again... I love it. There's something about watching all the kiddos having a good time that makes life so fulfilling. Dallas playing football, Tommy and Brady eating their doughnuts on the step together laughing, and Brooke's radiating smiles are only the beginning.

We're going back again before autumn comes to an end, and I can't wait!

Thanks, Guys, for another nice visit! Love you!

Big Day Today

HaPpY bIrThDaY Dallas!!!

Dallas is the oldest of my nephews (& nieces) at 10 years old today! I remember holding him in my arms when he was just four days old. Now he is the quarterback for his football team!

Love you, Dal!

(and can't wait for your party :) )

One more thing

I really really want to make this. I even love the color in the photograph. Of course, now that I've shown you such a beautifully perfect version, I may never be able to display my own. Ah, who am I kidding? You know I'll post a picture as long as it vaguely resembles a wrap. Don't worry though, I'm not planning on it any time soon. At $30 a hank (plus the book with the pattern-from which I might only make this one thing) it's just something to add to my dream list for now. But isn't it lovely?

It's those little things.

So, I just have to say that I was deeply insulted when I happened to mention something about making a sweater ornament the other day and Brian actually thought I was going to make an ornament for a sweater. He really believed I would! Yeah, still hurt by that one.

Also, I feel like I'm walking into a fog every time I go near the kitchen. Our light takes two bulbs and one blew today. Unfortunately we might be out of light bulbs. The light went out in our windowless laundry room about a week ago, and we had just rearranged all the bulbs in the apartment in order to find the best one for that room. I know it's a short trip to any convenience store to pick up a cheap replacement, but who wants to go out just to buy a light bulb? Plus, sadly, I am pretty confident my purse carries nothing but a couple of coins and will remain dollar-less until at least Friday. Oh well. Maybe we'll save a dollar on our energy bill! Yay!

I'm so sad, I know.

A nice little thing? I was thinking today about visiting my mom and how I love waking up in the morning, completely relaxed, and making my way downstairs to help make breakfast. You can't beat a weekend morning at Mom's, complete with a fresh hot pot of coffee (and usually some sausage and something sweet - much like at home, but with Marme). Add to it visits with Buddy or Jessi or Andy and families in what is always the warmth of her home -and staying up all hours watching the movies we don't get at home -or talking until we can no longer pry our eyes open. I miss my family, but I appreciate those visits even more since we don't see each other all the time. Good times. Happy thoughts. And on that note, goodnight. =)

Mini Sweater Ornament

If onlyI could knit a sweater for myself this quickly. The pattern was for a Christmas ornament. I used yarn I had on hand and changed, well, almost everything. If I do it again I will use Christmas colors and make it smaller. It was fun anyway!

I also now have two happy feet:

Have a nice Wednesday!

Feels like January

I'm home sick today, and I'm currently freezing my fingers off. Last night I wore flannel pants, a long sleeved cotton shirt, and a sweatshirt to bed, and then I covered myself with a sheet and a really thick winter comforter, and still I was freezing all night long. I'm all bundled up now too but just can't seem to get warm. It's a good day for tea, I suppose. And sleep. LOTS of sleep. (Yesterday I slept late, then fell asleep twice during the day yesterday, and then went to bed at 8:00. I am about to sleep some more.)

I realized something today. If I were home every day by myself I would be addicted to Style's shows about modeling. I love the art of photographing models and designing a look for the runway. (Not to mention, who doesn't like looking at beautiful faces?) I know most of us look at pictures in Vogue or Elle and just think the models look terrible and their clothes are hideous, but I still love to look at the pictures. It's about the art to me. And while I wouldn't want to wear most of those things or purposely make my hair look so frizzy you would think I had stuck my finger in an electrical outlet, I still love something about it. That's just me.

I also decided that, despite the terrible results with sock #1 (in addition to what you can see in the photos there is so much wrong with the other side of the sock that I very carefully did not photograph that side), I like making socks. I think there might be many more in my future - for all the same reasons so many other knitters love making them. My biggest reason, however, is that they are so soft and custom-made for my feet. Mmm.

On the other hand, my two-week knitting frenzy seems to have been just that. I intend to take a little break and it's not bothering me one bit. Maybe some day I'll get as serious as some of the others in the blogging world and learn how to do things the right way - maybe even create a separate blog just for that. For now though I'll just continue on as one of many moms who picks up the needles every now and then, pretending to kind-of-sort-of-almost know what she's doing. =)

Ok, naptime.

Tommy's Afternoon

Saturday Sky

It was raining when I photographed the sky today. While there was some light toward the West, the entire heavens were quickly darkening. A single cloud with a hint of pink seemed to harbor all the light.

It didn't come out well in the photo, but I saw it!

Here, a few photos taken later:

Go Steelers!

No, you didn't read wrong. Yes, I am a Patriots fan. However I admit some of my friends in PA did rub off on me a bit, plus since I started playing fantasy football I have enjoyed watching several Steelers favorites. Now I tend to root for the Steelers as long as they aren't a threat to the Patriots and they aren't playing each other in any given week. Of course, when the Patriots beat the Steelers in the AFC Championship game in 2004 and then proceeded to win the Super Bowl, I laughed. They had assumed it would be an easy win for Pittsburgh and that Pittsburgh had an immediate in to the SuperBowl. -Lots of people did, but still. Ha. So... Patriots first. But occasionally I like to root for the Steelers too. And for tonight, go Pittsburgh! Besides, they're my pick on the pick-em league for this week. I also need Willie Parker to do well. Important stuff, I tell you. Hooray for the start of another football season! I love this stuff. (This crazy knitting kick might just have to go on hold during game nights... but it's ok because it's FOOTBALL!!!)

Back to Reality

The long weekend is almost over, but I think we made the most of it. We ended up missing out on some things but enjoying others. (Congratulations Caitlin and Kale!) It was nice to spend some family time together for more than just a day at a time. Plus we spent yesterday afternoon at ChuckECheese for Tommy, and he had a blast. Game night was fun last night too, and we finally saw Grace today - the sweet little beauty that she is! She was (of course) perfect.

I even finished my sock. I'm still undecided on whether to make its match, mostly because I really butchered the pattern. However, I love how soft it is, and that alone may be enough to make me complete the set. We'll see.

For now I'm off to make pizza with Tommy and calzones for Brian and I. I hope you had a great Labor Day!

Zoe

Zoe was our little zebra finch. Last night I checked on her before going to bed, and she didn't look well to me. She usually slept on a perch but was sitting on the floor of her cage, back in the corner, and she wasn't as fluffed up as usual. She also didn't jump up to talk to me when I went over. I made sure she was still breathing and had everything she should need. She opened her eyes and looked up at me but didn't make a sound.

She didn't make it through the night. We had her for almost 4 years and will miss her very much. :(

I didn't do it.

Remember that Sesame Street song about one of these things that just doesn't belong?

I think someone in packaging needs to listen to it again.

(I swear we didn't plant it there.)

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Also, I started my first sock today. I'm very close to taking it apart and starting over... and almost have many times. I'm trying to finish one sock first, for practice. We'll see.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!