MsKnits Place

My New Grandson

2009-03-07T19:59:00.001-05:00

This is Jaden. He was born 2/26/09. He weighed 7lbs 10ozs and was 20 inches long. He was in NICU for a little while but is home and doing great.

Sweating Bullets

2009-01-21T05:09:00.003-05:00

It was a faulse alarm. He's still in the holding pattern, for the moment.
I brought my grandson's home to spend the night to give their Mommy a break. She needs it as these two are more than a handful.

OMG!!!

2009-01-20T07:41:00.001-05:00

I think my daughter is having back labor! I’m on my way to her house now. I will be gone a few days, if she is as I will be caring for my other 2 grandsons.
Keep your fingers crossed. He’s 5 weeks early.

Happy 2009

2009-01-01T05:55:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year!

Well, I took a friends advice and we are trying a new approach with the idiot boyfriend. He is spending the day with the family today. (Give me strength in all things, today and every day. Better yet, give my darling hubby strength in all things today and every day.)

My day will be filled with cooking New Year's dinner. I am getting ready to go make some veggie trays, shrimp trays and cheese, cold cuts, crackers, olives & pickle plates to keep everyone busy until the main dinner is ready. I also made sure that I have plenty of different chips & dips to keep everyone out of the kitchen.

Last night we watched a marathon of The Twilight Zone most of the night, watched the peach drop and went to bed. Very exciting stuff, let me tell you. Yes, I had my once a year glass of Asti.

I have completely lost my mind and am crocheting a charted afghan for my adopted son. Yes, that's what I said! I have figured that it's only going to take me 56 hours to make. So what if I've never done a charted afghan before. LOL I KNOW, RIGHT? This from the person that hasn't been able to hardly make a wash cloth in the last year. What can I say? I'm a dreamer!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Looking Toward 2009

2008-12-28T06:45:00.002-05:00

This has been a hell of a year around here and I am personally ready for it to be over already. I don't even know where to start!

My youngest daughter and I are constantly at each other's throats lately. She's 15 and has the worst boyfriend in the whole world. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion and not being able to do anything about it. She is crazy about this idiot and I CAN NOT stand him. He is very disrespectful, arrogant and a liar. She thinks the sun rises and sets out of this idiots ass. Unfortunately, she is just as stubborn and hardheaded as me so you can't tell her anything. LOL I know that most of it is her age but I CAN NOT WAIT to get past this stage of her life. This crap is gonna drive me to drink!

My oldest daughter and her husband are expecting a baby boy in 2 months. It's his first child and he is driving me nuts! Every single twitch she has, he's calling and going crazy. She is having a normal pregnancy, so far, but he is worried about EVERYTHING! I'm trying to be patient with him but he's getting her twitchy and that's making ME twitchy. I don't know what the hell he's gonna do when she goes into labor!

My grandson's are growing like weeds and are the light of my life. Their dumbass father, on the other hand, can't pay two months of child support without bouncing a freaken check. Now get this! He's engaged to a woman with 2 teenage sons! He is taking her sons on hunting trips and buying them expensive things and bouncing the checks to his own sons. I don't care that he's engaged. I DO care that he went and bought her a diamond ring and his child support bounced all over the place for TWO freaken weeks! CHILDREN CAN NOT EAT DIAMOND RINGS ASSHOLE!
Thank all that's good for their step-dad. He makes sure that they are taken care of and loves them as if they were his own.

I'm not saying that a new year will make any of this any better but it will make me feel as if it will get better.
I need a good stiff drink and a vacation!

What Next?

2008-12-08T07:37:00.002-05:00

I thought I had a head cold, then a chest cold, then the flu........ I had pnemonia. I never get sick so this freaked me out. It knocked me on my backside. I'm doing better but am still very weak.
The kids decorated the house and yard for me. Saturday I started my x-mas shopping. Yep, STARTED! I didn't get very much done before I was worn out and had to come home.
I am knitting socks, scarves and neck warmers, slowly.

My daughter went for the ultra sound that tells you if it's a cheeseburger or hotdog. We have another HOTDOG! He will be named Jaden.

My youngest daughter got her learners permit Saturday. Now she doesn't want to drive. Go figure!

IT'S OVER

2008-11-10T12:20:00.002-05:00

Marching band is OVER for the rest of the year. Friday was our last game. The football team lost (nothing new there). The band blew the audience away, as usual. Saturday was our last parade of the year. They were wonderful, even though they were sad because of all of the Seniors that will be gone at the end of the school year. Those kids really love each other and are like family.
I'm gonna miss the excitement and all of the kids laughing and talking. I won't miss sitting in the rain on Friday nights, trying to keep warm. I will miss hearing the band get better with every practice and performance. I won't miss the endless hours of driving and waiting. They had a great year and I'm proud of each and every one of them. They put so much heart and passion into their show.
JCHS MARCHING HURRICANE'S.......YOU ROCKED IT LIKE A HURRICANE IN 2008.

Now my wonderful daughter is an equipment manager for the high school wrestling team!?!? Yep, she sure is. Grant me Patience to deal with my blessings. :/

I DO STUFF......

2008-10-27T13:38:00.003-04:00

When I have the time. LOL
Here is my Footie. I'm currently working on it's mate.
I used Patons Kroy Socks yarn in Bronzed Berry Stripes. This footie feels great and I can't wait to finish the other one. It's my own pattern. Nothing fancy, at all.

And here is my Little Snow Dragon. I found the pattern over on Ravelry.
He's crocheted in camo yarn and my grandson's love him.

It's Cold!

2008-10-20T07:32:00.004-04:00

Holy smoke, it's COLD this morning, 36 degrees on my porch!
We had our last marching band competition this past Saturday. They got an Excellent. Now we only have 3 more games to go and we're done for the season.
Last Friday was a home game. It rained ALL day and night. After school most of the band go out to eat in town before call time. 3 of our band members (2 boys & 1 girl) were in a rollover crash on the way back to school. 2 were thrown out and 1 was pinned in the truck. It was a F250, extended cab pick-up truck. The girl that was thrown out ended up under the truck. She has a fractured pelvis, cuts and bruises. The boys had a few cuts and bruises. All are going to be fine.

Marching Band Took Over My Life

2008-10-08T09:38:00.004-04:00

but it is worth it. My youngest daughter, who happens to be 15 today is in marching band. I never knew how demanding it is on everyone, especially the parents. LOL
The went to the Apalachee Music Festival last Saturday and where judged. I am happy to say that for the first time in our schools history they scored "SUPERIOR".
We have 5 more games and 1 more competition and them we're done for the season. Thank all that's good cause Mama needs a rest. LOL

I have been knitting and crocheting but I'm in need of a new camera. I will be getting 1 this week sometime........ hopefully.

When Did It Get To Be JUNE?

2008-06-08T08:02:00.003-04:00

How in the world did that happen? It seems like it was just January and now we've well into June. This year is going by so fast!

Well, Dawn and Brian were married Friday, June 6th, in a small ceremony. It was very nice and this time I didn't cry one single tear. They are so in love with each other and happy. Brian is wonderful to her and to the boys. He loves the boys like they were his own and I am thankful for that. The boys love him too.

Yesterday we went and got Levi, Amanda's boyfriend. Then we all met up here and went to the lake swimming. It was wonderful to get to sit back and watch the kids all playing, laughing and having fun. John even got a little froggy with me at one point. We cooked hotdogs. Why is it that hotdogs always taste better at the lake? The boys were so tired! We went back to Dawn & Brians. They put the boys to bed and we cut a watermelon. More fun! The big kids, haha, had a seed spitting fight. It was a good day.

Amanda & Levi are doing great. They have been dating for almost 2 months now. The mohawk has grown on me. He's a super young man and he loves her to death. We try to make sure that they get to see each other every few days over the summer. We have to because if they aren't together they are on the phone with each other and I'm afraid the phone will grow to her ear. In all fairness, most of the time they try and wait to talk to each other later in the day so other member's of their families can use the phone too. They really are good kids.

LET'S GET READY 4 SUMMER!!!!

2008-05-19T07:28:00.002-04:00

I have 5 days left before my 14 year old is out of school for the summer. So I'm thinking, 5 days to crochet my backside off before everything goes crazy, but I was wrong! My darling hubby told me this morning that he will be taking Thursday & Friday off since he already had Saturday, Sunday & Monday off. We are taking a mini vacation. We'll be making day trips and maybe going camping & kayaking.
Now I only have 3 days to crochet my backside off..........That's not going to be enough to get me in a swimsuit!

I have become very interested in Irish crochet lately. I've been doing some research and am about ready to give it a try. It's beautiful work. Wish me luck!

I'm Havin A BLAST

2008-05-13T07:45:00.006-04:00

It took a little while to get my house back in order and there are still a few things that aren't finished but I got sidetracked. I've been KNITTING & CROCHETING my fingers off and loving every minute of it!

I made some Wishy Washy Fishy Tawashi

Then I made this.....

I finished a Crinoline Lady. She's from Maggie's Crochet Crinoline Ladies Book One.

As of today, I'm working on a doily that is a SECRET for the moment but I'll post about it later on.

ALONE

2008-05-05T07:21:00.002-04:00

I AM ALONE in my house for the first time in over 2 years and I LOVE IT!
My oldest daughter and my grandson's moved into their new home on May 1st. I do miss the boys being up under my feet all of the time but I am enjoying the fact that I can knit or crochet without all of the help from the little people. As a matter of fact, I'm already crocheting a 3D doily. It's based on a doily that I saw once on E-BAY. I'll post a pic once it's done.

Amanda has a new boyfriend, for the past 3 weeks. His name is Levi and he has a mohawk. That took a little getting use to. He's an awesome young man and is crazy about her. They are doing great and are very happy. It's about time!
David is still trying to talk to her but she is doing a good job at keeping him at arms length. She told him that hopefully one day they can be friends but not until he stops trying to get back with her. She told him that she only wants the best for him and wants him to be happy. He told her that she is the best for him and he will never be happy without her. Deep shit there!

It's warm weather here now and that means that I get to try out my new kayak soon! I'm looking forward to that so much.
I have some weeding to do in the yard but my roses are doing great. They have tons of blooms and smell wonderful. I try and take picture's, if I remember.

John's in town, for the moment but has a couple of trips coming up.

Well, I gotta make a trip to the grocery store. Then I'm gonna sit down and crochet my fingers off! ;)

Everything Changes

2008-04-17T07:24:00.002-04:00

I haven't blogged in forever. It's been busy, to say the least, around here.

There is always teenage taxi service going on. Amanda and David have been broken up for almost a month. He called her last night, just to talk. She is going out with a boy named Jamie, at the moment. He seems like a nice enough kid but they don't get to see each other often.
Amanda & Timmy, her best friend in the whole world, had a major blow up and she's mad as the dickens at him and won't speak to him. Hopefully they'll get it all worked out soon.
Spring break was last week. CRCT's are next week.

Dawn & Brian are engaged and have set the date as June 6,2008. Yep, that soon! They have been house hunting and finally found a cute little 3 bedroom house about 10 minute's away from us. They go Friday to sign the paper's and get the keys.

John is traveling alot lately with work. Nothing really new there! He has made a full recovery from his knee surgery and is doing great.

As for me.............I NEED A VACATION!

DRAPERY RODS......PRICELESS

2008-04-02T10:34:00.001-04:00

She spent the first day packing her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases.

On the second day, she had the movers come and collect her things ..

On the third day, she sat down for the last time at their beautiful dining room table by candle-light, put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of spring-water . When she had finished, she went into each and every room and deposited a few half-eaten shrimp shells dipped in caviar into the hollow of the curtain rods.

She then cleaned up the kitchen and left. When the husband returned with his new girlfriend, all was bliss for the first few days. Then slowly, the house began to smell. They tried everything; cleaning, mopping and airing the place out . Vents were checked for dead rodents and carpets were steam cleaned .

Air fresheners were hung everywhere. Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which they had to move out for a few days and in the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting.

Nothing worked!!!

People stopped coming over to visit. Repairmen refused to work in the house. The maid quit. Finally, they could not take the stench any longer and decided to move.

A month later, even though they had cut their price in half, they could not find a buyer for their stinky house . Word got out and eventually even the local realtors refused to return their calls. Finally, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place. The ex-wife called the man and asked how things were going.

He told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened politely and said that she missed her old home terribly and would be willing to reduce her divorce settlement in exchange for getting the house back .

Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was, he agreed on a price that was about 1/10th of what the house had been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day .

She agreed and within the hour his lawyers delivered the paperwork.

A week later the man and his girlfriend stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take to their new home.........

And to spite the ex-wife, they even took the the curtain rods!!!!!!

I LOVE A HAPPY ENDING, DON'T YOU?

HELLO?

2008-04-01T07:18:00.004-04:00

JUNE 6, 2008 That's the day that Dawn & Brian will be getting married. They set the date yesterday. They are planning a very small ceremony with a very large party afterward. That cuts down on my work ALOT!

Amanda is going thru pure hell with her ex boyfriend. She broke up with him about a week ago. The boy will not go away! His mom called me yesterday and we talked for awhile. He is driving her nuts! She & I have remained friends. She wants them back together as she loves Amanda. She believes that Amanda is good for David. In alot of ways she is but he just wears her out. He's very jealous and insecure. His mom has taken his cell phone & moved him out of classes with Amanda. Amanda had gotten 41 texts from him in 2 hours, not counting the calls! She won't talk to him or text him back. He has gotten their friends to call & text her also on his behalf but she has explained to them that she is done and they have stopped.
Amanda is doing better every day with all of it. I just wish that he would give up already!

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T08:03:00.002-04:00

Wouldn't you know that the boy's would sleep late on Easter! Any other day they are up before daylight.

Yesterday was our 24th anniversary! Holy Cow........I STILL say that it'll never last. LOL We had fun just spending the day together.
We went and bought a new tree to plant in the yard and got several flats of flowers. We then came home and got the yard ready for the egg hunt today. Everything was planted and it looks nice. The dogwoods are getting ready to bloom and I have some buds on a few of my roses. I got the main flower bed cleaned out. The lilies are coming up and the rosemary is blooming. I love Spring!
After the yard work was done we had a cook-out. It was a nice day.

NEW FLOORS!!!

2008-03-15T06:23:00.002-04:00

It’s the week-end again……..already! Time is flying by and I have little to show for it in the way of FO’s. :/ I’ve been as busy as a three legged dog in traffic with the family.
My youngest daughter and her boyfriend of 1 & 1/2 years broke up. It has been hard on both of them but it has been HELL on the rest of us.

Today I get to rip up the old tile in our bathroom and lay new tile down. I’m excited! When we bought this house it was a fixer upper and we have worked very hard over the last three years fixing it up. The floors are one of the last major things that need to be done and that starts today! We have all of the material’s to do the bed, bath, kitchen and dining rooms (tile & carpet). Now it’s just a mattter of moving everything from one room to another and finishing the floors. It should be ALOT of fun but in the end I'll have nice floors. Right now I have wood floors. Not the pretty wood floors ---- plywood.

Then there’s the basement…. Hopefully one day that will be turned into my crafting area. That would be awesome!

Priceless!

2008-03-07T14:12:00.002-05:00

If you have raised kids (or been one), and gone through the pet syndrome, including toilet flush burials for dead goldfish, the story below will have you laughing out LOUD!

Overview: I had to take my son's lizard to the vet.

Here's what happened:

Just after dinner one night, my son came up to tell me there was 'something wrong' with one of the two lizards he holds prisoner in his room.
'He's just lying there looking sick,' he told me. 'I'm serious, Dad. Can you help?'

I put my best lizard-healer expression on my face and followed him into his bedroom. One of the little lizards was indeed lying on his back, looking stressed. I immediately knew what to do.

'Honey,' I called, 'come look at the lizard!'

'Oh, my gosh!' my wife exclaimed. 'She's having babies.'

'What?' my son demanded. 'But their names are Bert and Ernie, Mom!'

I was equally outraged.

'Hey, how can that be? I thought we said we didn't want them to reproduce,' I said accusingly to my wife.

'Well, what do you want me to do, post a sign in their cage?' she inquired (I think she actually said this sarcastically!).

'No, but you were supposed to get two boys!' I reminded her, (in my most loving, calm, sweet voice, while gritting my teeth).

'Yeah, Bert and Ernie!' my son agreed.

'Well, it' s just a little hard to tell on some guys, you know,' she informed me (Again with the sarcasm!).

By now the rest of the family had gathered to see what was going on. I shrugged, deciding to make the best of it.

'Kids, this is going to be a wondrous experience,' I announced 'We're about to witness the miracle of birth.'

'Oh, gross!' they shrieked

'Well, isn't THAT just great? What are we going to do with a litter of tiny little lizard babies?' my wife wanted to know.

We peered at the patient. After much struggling, what looked like a tiny foot would appear briefly, vanishing a scant second later.

'We don't appear to be making much progress,' I noted.

'It's breech,' my wife whispered, horrified.

'Do something, Dad!' my son urged.

'Okay, okay.' Squeamishly, I reached in and grabbed the foot when it next appeared, giving it a gentle tug. It disappeared. I tried several more times with the same results.

'Should I call 911?' my eldest daughter wanted to know.

'Maybe they could talk us through the trauma.' (You see a pattern here with the females in my house?)

'Let's get Ernie to the vet,' I said grimly. We drove to the vet with my son holding the cage in his lap.

'Breathe, Ernie, breathe,' he urged.

'I don't think lizards do Lamaze,' his mother noted to him. (Women can be so cruel to their own young I mean what she does to me is one thing, but this boy is of her womb, for God's sake.).

The vet took Ernie back to the examining room and peered at the little animal through a magnifying glass.

'What do you think, Doc, a C-section?' I suggested scientifically.

'Oh, very interesting,' he murmured. 'Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, may I speak to you privately for a moment?'

I gulped, nodding for my son to step outside.

'Is Ernie going to be okay?' my wife asked.

'Oh, perfectly,' the vet assured us. 'This lizard is not in labor. In fact, that isn't EVER going to happen. . . Ernie is a boy. You see, Ernie is a young male. And occasionally, as they come into maturity, like most male species, they um . . um . . . masturbate. Just the way he did, lying on his back.' He blushed, glancing at my wife.

We were silent, absorbing this.

'So, Ernie's just.... just.... excited,' my wife offered.

'Exactly,' the vet replied, relieved that we understood.

More silence. Then my vicious, cruel wife started to giggle. And giggle. And then even laugh loudly.

'What's so funny?' I demanded, knowing, but not believing that the woman I married would commit the upcoming affront to my flawless manliness.

Tears were now running down her face. 'It's just....that.... I'm picturing you pulling on its... its... teeny little... ' She gasped for more air to bellow in laughter once more.

'That's enough,' I warned. We thanked the vet and hurriedly bundled the lizard and our son back into the car.. He was glad everything was going to be okay.

'I know Ernie's really thankful for what you did, Dad,' he told me.

'Oh, you have NO idea,' my wife agreed, collapsing with laughter.

Two lizards: $140.

One cage: $50.

Trip to the vet: $30.

Memory of your husband pulling on a lizard's winkie:
Priceless!

Moral of the story: Pay attention in biology class.
Lizards lay eggs

Picture's of FO's

2008-03-05T09:44:00.004-05:00

Here's the BE MY DISHCLOTH from Krisknits

Here are six crocheted dishcloth, potholder set's for my daughter. Simple single crochet.

Cat got your tongue?

2008-03-04T11:06:00.001-05:00

We've all had trouble with our animals, but I don't think anyone can top this one:

Calling in sick to work makes me uncomfortable. No matter how legitimate my excuse, I always get the feeling that my boss thinks I'm lying.

On one recent occasion, I had a valid reason but lied anyway, because the truth was just too darned humiliating. I simply mentioned that I had sustained a head injury, and I hoped I would feel up to coming in the next day. By then, I reasoned, I could think up a doozy to explain the bandage on the top of my head. The accident occurred mainly because I had given in to my wife's wishes to adopt a cute little kitty.
Initially, the new acquisition was no problem.

Then one morning, I was taking my shower after breakfast when I heard my wife, Deb, call out to me from the kitchen.

"Honey! The garbage disposal is dead again. Please come reset it."

"You know where the button is," I protested through the shower pitter-patter and steam. "Reset it yourself!"

"But I'm scared!" she persisted. "What if it starts going and sucks me in?"

There was a meaningful pause and then, "C'mon, it'll only take you a second."

So out I came, dripping wet and butt naked, hoping that my silent outraged nudity would make a statement about how I perceived her behaviour as extremely cowardly.

Sighing loudly, I squatted down and stuck my head under the sink to find the button. It is the last action I remember performing.

It struck without warning, and without any respect to my circumstances. No, it wasn't the hexed disposal, drawing me into its gnashing metal teeth. It was our new kitty, who discovered the fascinating dangling objects she spied hanging between my legs. She had been poised aroun d the corner and stalked me as I reached under the sink. And, at the precise moment when I was most vulnerable, she leapt at the toys I unwittingly offered and snagged them with her needle-like claws. I lost all rational thought to control orderly bodily movements, blindly rising at a violent rate of speed, with the full weight of a kitten hanging from my masculine region.

Wild animals are sometimes faced with a "fight or flight" syndrome. Men, in this predicament, choose only the "flight" option. I know this from experience. I was fleeing straight up into the air when the sink and cabinet bluntly and forcefully impeded my ascent.
The impact knocked me out cold.

When I awoke, my wife and the paramedics stood over me.

Now there are not many things in this life worse than finding oneself lying on the kitchen floor butt naked in front of a group of "been-there, done-that" paramedics.
Even worse, having been fully briefed by my wife, the paramedics were all snorting loudly as they tried to conduct their work, all the while trying to suppress their hysterical laughter......and not succeeding.

Somehow I lived through it all. A few days later I finally made it back in to the office, where colleagues tried to coax an explanation out of me about my head injury. I kept silent, claiming it was too painful to talk about, which it was.

"What's the matter?" They all asked, "Cat got your tongue?"
If they only knew!

Why is it that only the women laugh at this?

Redneck Fisherman

2008-03-04T10:58:00.001-05:00

A redneck was stopped by a game warden in Central Mississippi recently with two ice chests full of fish. He was leavin' a cove well-known for its fishing.

The game warden asked the man, "Do you have a license to catch those
fish?"

"Naw, sir", replied the redneck. "I ain't got none of them there
licenses. You must understand, these here are my pet fish."

"Pet fish?"

"Yeah. Every night, I take these here fish down to the lake and let 'em
swim 'round for awhile. Then, when I whistle, they jump right back
into these here ice chests and I take 'em home."

"That's a bunch of hooey! Fish can't do that."

The redneck looked at the warden for a moment and then said, "It's the
truth Mr. Government Man.. I' ll show ya. It really works."

"OK," said the warden.

The redneck poured the fish into the lake and stood and waited.

After several minutes, the warden says, "Well?"

"Well, what?", says the redneck.

The warden says, "When are you going to call them back?"

"Call who back?"

"The FISH", replied the warden!

"What fish?", replied the redneck.

Moral of the story: We may not be as smart as some city slickers, but
we ain't as dumb as some government employees. You can say what you want about the South, but you never hear of anyone retiring and moving north.

Happy Birthday

2008-03-02T07:35:00.003-05:00

Today is Logan's birthday! He is ONE YEAR OLD! It sure doesn't seem like that little man has been in my life for a year already.
He is the happiest baby, always laughing and smiling. First thing in the morning, when he get's up, he comes straight to NaNa for a hug. He love's the computer. He also loves slide shows and will sit for an hour watching them. He loves music and he will dance his little butt off. He dances better than he walks. His big brother Chase is his idol and he adores him. The feeling is mutual. They are going to give Dawn hell when they get older. ;)
Those boy's bring such joy to my life and I am thankful for them everyday.

It's weird to watch life come full circle. I remember when we were up late at night, after the kids went to bed, putting toys together. Last night we got to watch our daughter and Brian crawl around the floor looking for this part or that part putting Logan's toys together. They were having so much fun and enjoying each other. I could see the love they have for one another and I am not worried about their future together. They have IT! It warmed my heart but it also made me want to cry.
It's the little things that make life so sweet. The more thing's change, the more they stay the same.

MISSING HUSBAND

2008-03-01T19:25:00.000-05:00

Rick was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really angry. She told him “Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 10 seconds, AND IT BETTER BE THERE!!”

The next morning Rick got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up she looked out the window and sure enough there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway. Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway, and brought the box back in the house.

She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.

Rick has been missing since Friday.

Please pray for him

Saturday Happenings

2008-03-01T08:23:00.001-05:00

Well, it’s Saturday and I’m in the middle of spring cleaning. I went and bought new curtains for the livingroom, kitchen and bath. Then I started a deep clean on the house. I do this EVERY year around this time. I think it’s because I can not wait for Spring to get here. I got a bad case of cabin fever going on, LOL.

The daffodil’s are beginning to bloom in the yard. I’m itching to get in the garden! It’s not time yet as day before yesterday our temp was down in the 20’s. :(

I’ve made 6 set’s of dishcloth’s & potholder’s but my computer won’t let me upload the picture’s. They are all just a basic single crochet pattern. :/

My youngest daughter and her boyfriend are going thru some teen drama at the moment and of course, I’m hearing all about that. It’s a pain in the backside! It would seem as if another boy is trying to get my daughter’s attention and her boyfriend is having a meltdown. I’m sure it will all work out like it should.

Alrighty Then

2008-02-29T06:12:00.002-05:00

Darling hubby went back to work Wednesday. It's slow going but he is doing pretty good. He's off of the crutches and is now using just a cane.

Logan will be 1 YEAR OLD on Sunday. It doesn't seem like a year already. Time sure does fly by! He said "NaNa" to me yesterday for the first time.

Amanda and David are going thru a bit of teenage drama at the moment. It's all a little crazy and I'm just waiting to see what happens next. It would seem that we have another boy trying to make a play for Miss Amanda's attention.

The Woman In Me

2008-02-17T21:39:00.000-05:00

Last night, my Red Hat friends and I went to a
Ladies Night Club.
One of the girls wanted to impress the rest of us, so she pulled out a $10 bill.
When the male dancer came over to us,
my friend licked the $10 bill and stuck it to his butt cheek!

Not to be outdone, another friend pulls out a $20 bill.She called the guy back , licks the $20 bill,
and sticks it to his other butt cheek.

In another attempt to impress the rest of us,my third friend
pulls out a $50 bill and calls the guy over,
and licks the $50 bill.
I'm worried about the way things are going,
but fortunately,
she just stuck it to one of his butt cheeks again.

Seeing the way things are going, the guy races over to me!
Now everyone's attention
is focused on me, and the guy is egging me on
to try to top the $50.
My brain was churning as I reached for my wallet.
What could I do?

The woman in me took over!
I got out my ATM card,
swiped it down the crack of his butt,
grabbed the eighty bucks,and left!!!!

Valentine's Day Surgery

2008-02-15T07:21:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was a long day here. I didn't get much knitting done while waiting at the hospital, as I had planned. It would seem that knitting will make total strangers talk to you. I had several people ask me ALOT of questions about my knitting. I believe that I got a couple of them interested in taking up the craft and even gave them some websites to check out. ;)

My hubby's surgery went very well and he is currently laying on the couch finding things for me to do. Gotta love those pain meds! LOL Maybe I can get some knitting done while he's knocked out over the next few days, but it doesn't look like it. His birthday is Sunday so I have to go get the car tags renewed today......... Then there's the normal Friday errands to get done. My daughter will be sitting with him for me.

I'M TIRED, Y'ALL..........

IDIOT SIGHTING'S

2008-02-13T05:58:00.003-05:00

We had to have the garage door repaired. The Sears repairman
told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a
"large" enough motor on the opener.
I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one
Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower.
He shook his head and said, "Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower."
I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, "NO, it's not."
Four is larger than two.."
We haven't used Sears repair since.

IDIOT SIGHTING:
My daughter and I went through the McDonald's take-out window
and I gave the clerk a $5 bill. Our total was $4.25, so I also handed
her a quarter. She said, "you gave me too much money."
I said, "Yes I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar bill
back." She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to
repeat my request. I did so, and he handed me back the quarter,
and said "Were sorry but we cannot do that kind of thing."
The clerk then proceeded to give me back $1 and 75 cents in change.
Do not confuse the clerks at McD's.

IDIOT SIGHTING:
I live in a semi rural area. We recently had a new neighbor call
the local township administrative office to request the removal
of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road.
The reason: "Too many deer are being hit by cars out here!
I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore."
From Kingman , KS ..

IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD SERVICE:
My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco.
She asked the person behind the counter for "minimal lettuce."
He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg lettuce.
From Kansas City

IDIOT SIGHTING :
I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport
employee asked, "Has anyone put anything in your baggage
without your knowledge?" To which I replied,
"If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?"
He smiled knowingly and nodded, "That's why we ask."
Happened in Birmingham , Ala.

IDIOT SIGHTING :
The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street.
I was crossing with an intellectually challenged coworker of mine.
She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained that it
signals blind people when the light is red.
Appalled, she responded,
"What on earth are blind people doing driving?!"
She was a probation officer in Wichita , KS ..

IDIOT SIGHTING :
At a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker who was
leaving the company due to "downsizing", our manager
commented cheerfully, "This is fun. We should do this more often."
Not another word was spoken. We all just looked at each other
with that deer-in-the-headlights stare.
This was a lunch at Texas Instruments.
Sounds like something Franklin Covey would do!!!!!

IDIOT SIGHTING :
I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into
itself and for the sake of her life , couldn't understand why her
system would not turn on.
A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriffs office, no less.

IDIOT SIGHTING:
When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to
pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it.
We went to the service department and found a mechanic working
feverishly to unlock the drivers side door. As I watched from the
passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered
that it was unlocked. "Hey," I announced to the technician,
"its open!" His reply, "I know. I already got that side."
This was at the Ford dealership in Canton , Mississippi

STAY ALERT!
They walk among us... and the scary part is that they VOTE
and REPRODUCE and our enemies know it!!! Remember, some of these
are congressmen, senators, govenors, mayors, and teachers -- even presidents.

Two Hearts As One Dishcloth

2008-02-10T15:51:00.000-05:00

This was alot of fun to make. Fast and easy!

The pattern can be found here

A GOOD DAY

2008-02-08T23:14:00.000-05:00

I've been running non stop for two days doing errands and trying to get everything done before John's surgery on the 14th. I think(?) I'm done.

I got to have a nice long conversation with my son from other parents tonight. He's in Florida right now and I can't tell you how much I miss that boy.

Well, Brian asked our permission to marry Dawn last Friday and we said yes. Tonight he asked her to marry him. She said YES!

Amamda was voted JCMS 2008 Queen tonight at the Valentine's Dance at her school. She was shocked to say the least.

It's been a good day all the way around.

This That & The Other

2008-02-03T21:09:00.000-05:00

Well, Brian asked John and I permission to ask Dawn to marry him Friday night. After much talking and questioning we told him it was fine with us. It looks like we'll be having a wedding in a few months.
The first thing Dawn said after the conversation was "Mom, can you make me some cotton dishclothes and washclothes?" Today I sat around and crocheted her the first of several. It was a simple single crochet dishcloth.
We had a nice weekend, for the most part.
Amanda and a friend of hers went to the movies Saturday night and, of course we were their ride. While the kids were watching the movie John and I went out to dinner. It was nice and we got a chance to catch up with each other. After dinner we still had about an hour left to kill so we went to Michaels to look around. I found some very nice yarn and I bought 3 skeins. Moda Dea Tweedle Dee in Surf & Turf. I started knitting a shawl with it from a pattern that came on the yarn.
The big find of the night was 2 skeins of Lion Brand Lion Wool in Pearl Grey and 4 skeins in Autumn Sunset for $1.00 a skein. I have no idea what I'll be making out of it but I'm happy!
Well, I'm tired and ready for bed so that's where I'm off to.

READY FOR THE WEEKEND

2008-02-01T08:15:00.000-05:00

I am READY for this weekend. I don't have any plans or anything going on but I NEED a break in the worst way.
The grandbabies are going to their dad's for the weekend. The teen has no plans so there isn't going to be any "Mom, give me a ride to or can we pick up or can I go" going on.
Brian is coming over tonight to have a talk with the hubby and I. Brian is Dawns boyfriend. I know what the talk is about already. He will be asking our permission to marry our daughter! If we say yes he will be asking her to marry him.

Groundhog Day Saturday.
Superbowl Sunday.

I SUCK AT BLOGGING

2008-01-31T13:05:00.000-05:00

I'm a bad blogger. I haven't blogged in forever! What can I say? It doesn't look like it's gonna get better any time soon.

I have been busy knitting socks and I'm working on a crocheted baby blanket.
I'm spending alot of time off line lately with my kids and grandkids. There's big doings going on around here and I PROMISE to tell everyone about it at a later date. It's gonna be good news, Y'all!
(hint) It's about my oldest daughter and her boyfriend.

Goodbye 2007

2007-12-31T05:51:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone!
I am personally glad to see 2007 leave. It's been a hell of a year around our house. We have had many ups and downs. Now, on the last day of this year, the future is looking bright once again.
John and I have made it thru with alot more gray hair but together and stronger than ever. We got old this last year....together. I thank God everyday for sending me this wonderful man to be my partner in life. I love him and he loves me.
Dawn, my oldest daughter, is doing great! She is finally back to her old self, smiling and happy. She is loving life! I worried about her ALOT over the last year. She has had a heavy weight on her shoulders. She has a 2 year old little boy, gave birth to an amazingly happy baby boy, went thru a divorce and is doing a great job at making sure both kids are well adjusted. She is finally able to smile at her X husband when he comes to get the kids for visitation. (I still want to beat the shit out of him.) She is dating Brian again. A young man that she dated a few years ago. He is totally in love with her and is wonderful with the boys. She's taking it slow. He has brought back her self confidence and her smile. It's a beautiful sight to see.
Amanda, my youngest daughter, is stubborn and hard headed and we have had our trials. She has grown up so much over the last year and is turning into a fantastic young woman. She has managed to keep straight A's in school, with everything that has happened this last year. She's 14 years old but her soul is older. You would think that she's in her 20's most of the time. She's smart and beautiful, inside and out. She and her boyfriend have been together for over a year now. Scary stuff for a 14 and 15 year old. They are devoted to each other and it's amazing to watch 2 teenagers handle a relationship better than most adults. It has been hard on us parents. They are both wonderful kids, smart and mature for their ages. They are determined to show all of us that they really do love each other and want to be together forever. Sometimes they make us, adults, look like children. I think that we are all starting to believe that they will end up married someday.......way in the future. Is it really so hard to believe that 2 people their age could have already found the love of their lives?
I lost my mother this year. That has been the hardest thing to deal with. I miss her everyday. I still need her everyday.
My grandsons are my life! Those two little boys have made me get up when I just wanted to give up. They bring me so much joy, love and happiness every day. They think that I'm awesome and I can't and won't let them down.

I'm ready for a new year. Let's do this thing!

A Shopping I Did Go

2007-12-28T07:22:00.000-05:00

My LYS is going out of business. Now by local I mean about 40 miles away. Yes, that was the closest yarn shop to me, other than Michael's or Hobby Lobby. Those 2 stores don't have the greatest selection of fiber, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, she sent me an e-mail telling me the sad news. I almost cried. Yesterday my youngest daughter and I made the trek over to said yarn shop and I bought several skeins of socky goodness for 50% - 60% off the regular price.

That should keep me busy for awhile.
There is one skein missing from that picture because I've already cast on a sock...

More Wrist Warmers

2007-12-24T05:46:00.000-05:00

Once again Irish Hiking Wrist Warmers. This time done in Patons Classic Wool, colorway Forest on U.S. 9's for my hubby. My whole family loves these things......

Finished The Tudora

2007-12-20T23:11:00.000-05:00

Here it is. The Tudora The pattern was super easy and worked up quickly.
This one is done in Lion Brand Wool-Ease

Knitter's Night Before Christmas

2007-12-18T06:27:00.001-05:00

Knitter's Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished knitting 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 needles 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 heat to his toe
And his clothes were hand knit from above to below.

A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.
His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosey 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 knit all this stuff?"
He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to knit 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 needles and yarn for a cap.
He began then to knit, 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 needles 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 knitting sometime around JUNE!"

CROCHETERS’ NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

2007-12-18T06:18:00.000-05:00

CROCHETERS’ NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

(oldie, but a goodie)

~ Author Unknown ~
‘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 heat 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!”

KNITTY

2007-12-18T05:43:00.000-05:00

Knitty winter 07 is out.
There are some lovely patterns that I would like to give a go.
I'll be knitting Ice Queen for a KAL in January over at Fiber Freaks. I love love love Halcyon and Tudora is going on my needles right away.
Go check it out.

A Present A Day

2007-12-10T07:45:00.000-05:00

Go check it out! GarnStudio is posting a pattern a day. Most of them are knit but there is a beautiful crocheted scarf posted too.

AND THE WINNER IS..........

2007-12-09T06:41:00.000-05:00

The pageant is over and she had fun. She looked beautiful and did a fantastic job up there. She said that she would never do that again. Not because she didn't win but because of how it affected alot of the other girls. She said that it was sorta fun pretending to be a lifesized Barbie but it was hard seeing her friends feelings get hurt.
I was so proud of her afterward. There were several girls crying, including her boyfriend's little sister. Amanda was comforting them and had most of them smiling by the time we all left. I didn't hear every conversation she had with them but I heard one. She hugged her friends and told them that it would be okay. "So what if two people in the whole world don't think that we looked beautiful enough to win at this particular moment. Those people don't matter anyway. They don't know any of us and were judging us based on a few minutes on a stage. So what? It doesn't matter what they think of us. What matters is what we think of ourselves. We all had the nerve to get up there in front of all those people and do this thing. That's something to be proud of. Not a one of us fell or puked! That's really something to be proud of. Everybody judges something or someone every day. They didn't do anything special so what does it matter what they think of any of us?"
How wise is a 14 year old suppose to be? At that moment I knew that I'm doing a good job raising a strong, smart, caring and compassionate young lady.

I got a WINNER!

The Dress

2007-12-06T05:49:00.000-05:00

My youngest daughter is in a beauty pageant Saturday.
I do not like them but it's her choice so we are doing it this one time.
Here's the dress.....The pics are clickable.

LIKE WOW!!!!

2007-11-29T08:03:00.000-05:00

I found a wonderful SPREADSHEET that is either going to make my life great or cause me to have a heart attack. It's FREE to download so go check it out.
This thing has endless possibilities but it also let's me know exactly how much fiber I have stored. Let's just say that I WON'T be buying any yarn for awhile.

How To

2007-11-27T08:15:00.000-05:00

Very helpful stuff here.

How To Become An Expert Knitter

A Hunter's Christmas Tree

2007-11-25T08:25:00.000-05:00

Camo Santas, deer, shotgun shells and safety orange stockings.

Another Good Find

2007-11-23T08:14:00.000-05:00

ANTIQUE PATTERN LIBRARY

SUPER FIND GO LOOK GO LOOK GO LOOK

2007-11-21T08:30:00.000-05:00

I can't even begin to tell you so just go look

FOR THE KNITTER'S
Knitting Pattern A Day Make sure you look around really well. At the top of the page is says "More than 1000 free knitting patterns" IT'S TRUE!!!!

FOR THE CROCHETER'S
Crochet Pattern A Day Make sure you look around really well. At the top of the page is says "More than 1000 free crochet patterns" IT'S TRUE!!!!

ENJOY!!!!!

Chase's House Socks

2007-11-18T05:19:00.000-05:00

Here they are....

These little socks are soooo fast and easy to do. I'll be making bunches more for him.

As A Matter Of Fact

2007-11-16T12:32:00.000-05:00

I have been knitting and crocheting and here's the proof...
A Potato Chip Scarf done in Bernat Pink Camo.
Here's the link for a knit version of the scarf.

And them there's this little sock that I just finished for Chase. It's not a good picture but it'll do for now. LOL
These 2 Needle Kids Socks are super easy and fun to do.
The yarn is an Italian wool blend that I got from Tuesday Morning. He hates wearing shoes in the house so I thought that he might wear socks instead.
Yes, I'm working on the other one already.

The Cutest Model In The World

2007-11-14T13:50:00.000-05:00

This hat is made of #10 thread in red, orange, yellow, blue, purple and green using a size 7 hook. I no longer have the pattern.
It is being modeled by the cutest model in the whole world. He has also claimed this fantastic hat as his own.

Getting Back To Normal

2007-11-14T07:10:00.000-05:00

I'm getting back to normal, if anything can be called normal around here.
It hit me pretty hard when my mom died. She had been sick for about 6 years and it had been very hard on her. I believe in God and I know that she is finally at peace.

The grandbabies are growing so fast. Chase is so big and talking in sentences now. Logan is crawling and pulling up ALL over the house.. They are my saving grace. They keep me laughing and busy.

Dawn is dating again. A young man that she dated about 4 years ago got in touch with her and they began dating. It's wonderful to see a smile on her face again. It's been such a long time. They are doing great. It's wonderful to see her happy and enjoying life again.

Amanda & David have been together for 13 months now and it's going great. They are totally devoted to each other. Scary stuff, since she's 14 & he's 15! They are amazing and could teach some adults a thing or two on how to have a good relationship. It's been interesting to say the least but they are both growing and maturing into fantastic adults.

I am knitting, a little. I haven't been doing much of anything, fiber wise, lately. I have a couple of things on the needles. I just have to get back to it. That's exactly what I'm gonna do right now.

MAMA

2007-10-29T09:01:00.000-04:00

"I love you Mama and I'll see you again someday."
8/1/44 - 10/28/07

There's No Place Like Ravelry

2007-10-01T10:47:00.000-04:00

HOLY COW!!!!!!
I finaly got my invite to Ravelry and it was worth the wait! I have never seen anything like it. I am amazed. I am in love. I am speechless and I'm gonna be very busy looking around for several..............years.
If you don't belong to Ravelry RUN and get on the list NOW!

Where Has This Year Gone?

2007-09-19T14:10:00.000-04:00

I have made a scarf but I haven't taken a picture of it. I suck!
I had forgotten what it's like having a toddler in the house. He is a trip trigger! The baby is already getting up on his hands and knees, wanting to crawl. Lord help me! LOL! They are wonderful and I wouldn't have it any other way. The bring a smile to my face every day, several times a day.
My youngest daughter and he boyfriend are getting along great. Life is good around here, at the moment. I'm working on an illusion scarf for my daughter right now.....it's going slow. It has her boyfriend's football number and his name on it, in their school colors. I figure that they have been together for almost a year now so I'll put a little work into it. I take it with me every day and work on it while I'm sitting and waiting for her to get out of school.
Sunday is the first day of fall, I think. This year is flying by so fast.

The Reason Is Finally Known

2007-09-02T08:08:00.000-04:00

A recent study indicated, that Yarn and thread gives off certain
Pheromones that actually hypnotize women and cause them to purchase
unreasonable amounts.

When stored in large quantities, in enclosed spaces, the Pheromones, (in
the yarn,) cause memory loss and induce the nesting syndrome, (similar to
the one squirrels have, before the onset of winter, i.e. the storing of
food,) therefore, perpetuating their species and not having a population
loss due to their kind being cut into pieces and mixed with others.

Sound tests have also revealed, that these yarns, emit a very high-
pitched sound, heard only by a select few, a breed of women known as
"loomers." When played backwards on an LP, the sounds are heard as
chants, buy me, loom me, and wind me into a ball ".

In order to overcome the so called "feeding frenzy effect," that these
yarns cause, one must wear a face mask when entering a storage facility
and use ear plugs, to avoid being pulled into their grip.

(One must laugh, however, at the sight of customers in a yarn store, with
WW2 army gas masks and headphones!). Studies have also indicated, that
aliens have inhabited the earth, helping to spread the effects, that
these yarns have on the human population. They are called "YARN STORE
CLERKS".

It's also been experienced, that these same Pheromones, cause a
pathological need, to hide these yarn purchases, when taken home (or at
least blend them into the existing stash.) When asked by a significant
other if the yarn is new, the reply is, "I've had it for
awhile."

Author Unknown

Knitty Gritty Knits

2007-08-24T13:51:00.000-04:00

PASSING IT ALONG:

Knitty Gritty Knits

It has come to my attention that DIY’s Knitty Gritty Knits (KGK), is filled with pattern errors. While it is common for knitting publications to have occasional errors, the number in the current printing of KGK is unacceptable. This is especially problematic since I am very aware that people rely on me, DIY and the publisher to deliver helpful and accurate information.

I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to anyone who has been inconvenienced due to these oversights, and to assure you that we’re working to fix all of the book’s problems. There will be a complete errata posted on both the Vickie Howell and the Sterling/Lark Publishing websites, as soon as they are produced by a technical editor. Updates will also be posted on my blog (http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/).

I would also like to respond to specific questions that I have received regarding my involvement in creating Knitty Gritty Knits. I was simply hired to write the introduction, answer general questions during manuscript development, and provide feedback on laser pages. This truly was my first and last time lending my name to a project I didn’t have a large part in creating.

I appreciate your understanding and support in this matter.

Sincerely,
Vickie Howell
Vickie Howell, Inc.

OH MY DAMN

2007-08-07T15:08:00.000-04:00

Today is the first day of the new school year! Good on some levels -maybe not so good on others. We shall see.
My youngest daughter and her boyfriend have been going back and forth for almost a year now. The problem is that they are very much alike = hard headed, stubborn, strong willed and totally in love with each other...... They go out for awhile and then break up, then get back together. It's crazy! WHATEVER, I try to stay out of it.
They just got back together Sunday night after being broken up for a week. A week of phone calls, crying, begging, pleading (from him). Well, she finally gave in and talked to him and sure enough, they worked it out, as usual.
We went to school yesterday to get her schedule...............He's in her homeroom which means that they have all but one class together...........FOR THE WHOLE SCHOOL YEAR!!!!!! OH MY DAMN!!!!
I have a feeling that THIS is the year that I start drinking.........
He's a bull rider but there isn't a bull out there that is as tough as my daughter.

Been Busy

2007-07-31T09:16:00.000-04:00

We took the kids and grandkids to Tybee for a small break. It was very relaxing for everyone. After the beach, we bummed around Savannah for awhile. BEAUTIFUL!
It's been busy, as usual, around here. Youngest daughter broke up with her boyfriend. Teenage drama! She says that she is sooooooooo over him. HAHA, I bet NOT!
My oldest is in court, at this very moment, hopefully getting her divorce finalized. My wonderful darling husband took her so I could stay home with the babies. Let's just say...........I'm NOT relaxed right now.

She just called and SHE'S D I V O R C E D!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank all thats good!

Thong Thu Thong Thong Thong

2007-07-24T14:56:00.000-04:00

I had a small amount of yarn that I had no use for so I made a Lacy Thong. It was a quick knit and it also FREAKED OUT MY KIDS! LOL
The pattern came from Interweave. It isn't blocked yet but here ya go.....

This brought up a major discussion between my daughter's on winter wool thongs and heat rashes. I laughed so hard I almost cried!

Merry Christmas To All

2007-07-21T08:32:00.000-04:00

The other day I was in town and one of the big stores have out.....Christmas items......for sale........IN JULY!!!!!!! What the heck is up with that? Why don't they just make it Christmas EVERYDAY? Hey maybe by the time Christmas DOES get here everything will be marked down to 90% off!
Today I am off to buy the new Harry Potter book for my daughter. She TRIED to talk me in to going to town at midnight to get it. I like Harry Potter as much as the next guy but FORGETABOUTIT!
I also want to look for some size 13 DPN while I'm in town, for a pattern I found for knitted cottage socks. I'm already thinking of Christmas gifts that I have to make. Don't look at me like that...........There's a big difference in MAKING Christmas presents in July and BUYING Christmas presents in July.

Meet Roy

2007-07-20T10:27:00.001-04:00

This is Roy. He's the newest member of our family.
The other morning my husband left for work at 5 a.m. got down the road aways and realized that he had forgotten his cellphone. He came back to the house to get it and found Roy sitting on the steps meowing. We live out in the country. Town is 9 miles one way and 23 miles the other way so where did this little guy come from? Needless to say, my girls fell in love with Roy. He's half wild but settling down nicely.
The day before Roy showed up I had read THIS post over at Crazy Aunt Purls and had cried like a baby. Our Roy is named in honor of Crazy Aunt Purl's ROY. I've been reading about him for a long time and I am going to miss him.

HURRY

2007-07-20T08:32:00.000-04:00

A CONTEST. Hurry, hurry, hurry. Time is almost up!

I Would've Took A Picture

2007-07-19T07:59:00.000-04:00

I would've took a picture of my washcloth but the baby took it and won't give it back! LOL Don't you just love cotton washclothes?
Darling Hubby is leaving today for a few day's, on a business trip to Ohio. Nothing new there. He travels ALOT. It use to free up my time for crocheting or knitting. Now it's mostly changing "The Soggy Bottom Boy's" or feeding them. LOL
It's a little less than 3 weeks until school starts back so today we are off to do a little back to school shopping. Fun............NOT! I hate shopping unless it's for fiber related object's.
I started knitting a ribbed halter top for my youngest daughter yesterday. The pattern is out of a book called "Speed Knitting..........24 quick and easy projects" by Kris Percival. Easy.......YES. Quick.........NOT SO MUCH! It would probably be quick if I had more than a minute here and a minute there to knit.
This is the picture in the book

Don't ask about the white spot.........It's my daughter's camera and I don't know how to work it.
This is what I have so far

but I'm not happy with it.

That's Much Better

2007-07-18T14:34:00.000-04:00

As I said I haven't knitted or crocheted anything in several months and I was having MAJOR withdrawal. I needed to get back into fiber shape. I decided to do a small easy project to start. Usually when I'm trying a new stitch pattern I make a dishcloth or washcloth to test the pattern. I figured if it works for a new pattern it will work to get myself back in form so I made a plain, simple washcloth. Let me tell ya that it felt great to be knitting again. It's the best feeling in the world to be holding the needles in my hands and creating something. Yes, it was just mindless knitting but it was wonderful! I love this washcloth!!!! Now ---- what's next?

The Last Year

2007-07-16T15:57:00.000-04:00

Okay so the last year has been crazy around here. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change a thing about it. We laugh, we cry, we live and we love.
My oldest daughter is going thru a divorce. She and her two sons (20 months and 4 months in age) live back home with us. US = myself, my husband and my youngest daughter. Life is interesting ALL OF THE TIME! You forget what it's like having babies in the house but, believe me, it comes back to you super fast. They keep us young and very busy.
My youngest daughter is a constant drama of her own. LOL! I COULD really write a book about teenage doings. It's amazing to watch a teenage girl grow and mature right before your very eyes. It also causes gray hair and wrinkles.
I have had my hands full over the last year and haven't had any time to do what I love to do best-----KNIT. That is all about to change. I miss it too much and need to get my hands on some fiber----NOW! So I've decided to set things right and get back to what I love, my knitting and crocheting. I NEED IT SO IT SHALL BE DONE!

I Can't Lock You In A Closet......Can I?

2007-07-16T14:50:00.000-04:00

It's the scariest thing that I've ever seen! You are the one that knows exactly what you want from life. You go in a straight line with no variations, single minded and sure. You make up your mind and it stays made up.

THEN..........you met..........HIM!

My daughter left and a crazy girl took her place. This is not the child that lived here a few months ago. Where did she go? WHAT THE HELL? All of a sudden you were confused, scared, mad, happy, heartbroke, insane, in love, pissed, hurt, weak, strong, full of hate, laughing, crying and every other emotion that exists. It has been like riding a roller coaster with you and this boy. "Please take me to see him" then "I don't want to talk to him or ever see him again" then "Please take me to see him"???? I have never seen you like this before and I'll admit it scares the heck out of me. I'm used to boys being around for a few days. I can handle boys with blue hair, earrings, attitudes, skaters, punks, goths, freaks, redneck, geeks, shy, funny, loud in every shape and size. They are easy because they eventually are gone, never to be heard from again. This boy looks like a normal teenage boy. He acts like a normal teenage boy. What makes him so different to you? Just when I think that things are settling down, it changes. On again, off again, on again, off again, on again.......................

Now, over the last couple of months, I have watched you battle yourself, deal with personal issues and grow as a person. I have seen a BIG change in you. You are a stronger young woman today than you were at the beginning of all of this. He is very lucky to have found someone strong enough to fight for what she believes in. Most teenage girls would have walked away without a fight. You are very lucky to have found a young man strong enough to tough it out. It's on again and this time it looks like it's staying that way. I hope so because I need a rest.

To My Daughter's

2007-07-16T14:49:00.000-04:00

I want you both to know that you are a gift to me and I couldn't ask for better daughter's. It hasn't always been easy but it's always been fun.

You have brought such joy to my life. We have laughted, cried, lived, learned and loved together. I have tried to teach you both to be strong, confident, caring young women and that's what I see when I look at each of you. You respect yourselves and others, even when some don't deserve it. I'm proud of BOTH of you. You do not judge people until you KNOW them and what their lives are like. Then you still don't judge but rather decide if you want them as a part of your life. I am proud of you both. You are both very stubborn, hard headed and know what you want from life and other's. Neither of you will back down if you think you're right. This has lead to some interesting times in our house. It's a wonder I'm not as nutty as a loon! LOL! You have made some choices that I haven't always agreed with but you have learned from your mistakes and became better people for them. That's what life is about. You are both open-minded and honest, even when I don't want to know the truth. It has given me a few gray hairs but thank you for being honest with me.

Being your mother has taught me alot. There have been times when I didn't know what I was doing but looking at you now I know that I've done a good job so far. You are both wonderful people and I hope I could be just like you when I grow up. I just want you to know that I love the people that you have become.

My First Post

2007-07-16T14:22:00.000-04:00

This is a place for me to talk, vent, rant, rave, laugh about my adventures in knitting and life. A little of this and a little of that! There's no telling what I'll talk about here.