In Real Life

In real life there are no commercial breaks or retakes. The most break time I get is when Scout might take a nap or when I’m reading into the wee hours of the night because the Ambien hasn’t kicked in yet.

In real life relationships are quite complicated. They are not the fairy tale stories of Disney where there’s always a happy ending. Relationships take a lot of work, effort and time. Sometimes they flourish into a loving marriage. Other times they are destroyed by the alcohol that one is addicted to.

In real life there are endless hours of being on the phone, making appointments, dropping off library books, football practice, laundry, taking the dog for a walk, grabbing the mail, going to the grocery store, and on, and on, and on.

In real life there are those rare moments. Late at night the rain is still dripping from the palm tree fronds onto the puddles that have pooled outside our bedroom window. I trace Scout’s shadow and tell her how very much I love her. I tell her how things will be ok. I tell her that I will always be there for her. I even talk to Dalton. Some nights I find myself petting the bed where he used to lay in the crook of my arm purring ever so gently to rock me back to sleep.

Yes, there are those moments when life ceases to exsist if only for a moment and I can just be. There are accomplishments, heartbreaks, bouts of laughter, shaking my hips to imaginary music, dreams, inspirations. A plethora.

I think of all of these things as I watch Scout twirl around in her big girl birthday dress, pressed and pleated.

I think of these things as I carefully make the stitches that bring a present together, something I hope the kids will enjoy unwrapping on Christmas morning.

I think of all of these things when I pet Rogue and realize she’s gotten so big in the past three weeks that we’ve had to adjust her collar one notch and start walking her with a choke chain.

It’s in everything I do.

Countdown

Last night Shawn and I were having a discussion about how Christmas really isn’t as much fun as it used to be. The holidays are much different for me as an adult as compared to being a child. And hugely different from being an adult as compared to being a child who still believed in old Saint Nick. The most stress I experienced, as a child, was figuring out what to tell Santa I wanted. My list changed daily weekly. The proverbial pony was always at the top of my list. So was a piano and a turtle. Santa must have put me on his naughty list because I never did get a pony, piano or turtle.

But things have changed. Commercialism is alive and kicking. Jem and Scout both find themselves glued to the bright colors on TV. A commercial describing the newest and best toys. Forget that they will play with them for five minutes and then all is lost. Or better yet, the boxes and wrapping paper will bring much more joy to Scout than what was in the box.

So this year we are doing a small Christmas. A Christmas about being with family and friends. A Christmas about baking, (and even eating), cookies, peanut brittle and Chex Mix. A Christmas about making gifts that will last longer than any other store bought toy. A Christmas where hot chocolate is dessert nearly every night. A Christmas where we sit together, crowded on the couch under blankets, watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” or “A Scooby Doo Christmas”, (more of the latter than the former as it happens). A Christmas about turning on the little colored lights and watching people’s faces aglow. A Christmas where our cards are already sent. A Christmas where the tree is trimmed and stockings have already been hung.

A Christmas where I can look at my window and appreciate every second, minute, hour, day, week, month and stitch that I put into it.

A chaotic mess:

A chronological materpiece, in my humble opinion of course.

I am . that close to being done with the knit presents. In fact, I’m so close that I decided to add a couple smaller things for the kids. But you’ll just have to wait, just like them.

Hats Off To You

Maybe it’s because in the early mornings when I take Rogue out to potty, the air is crisp, clean and a bit nippy. Or maybe it’s because in the evenings, when you are just trying to take in all the stars and moon, you can see your warm breath dissipate as though it never existed. But something, and I really can’t pinpoint the exact moment, has caused me to take up the needles and knit hats.

Not one. Not two. But, three hats.

The thing about it is, I don’t wear hats. But I do now.

Now it’s {a black pepper} Golden Autumn Hat

Blue Autumn

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed in Duck Egg, approximately 1 3/4 skeins

Needles: US 3 and 4’s

Mods: The only modification I made on this hat was to do one repeat less than the pattern recommends. I knit four repeats and have plenty of extra room for my hair. And, of course, there is a bit of slouch. Thus, only needing three quarters of that second skein.

I’m thinking I can make a smaller version for Scout. After all, she loves hats. And she wears them. With pride.

Downfall

Like everyone else in the country that is battling this H1N1 swine flu epidemic I have finally succumbed. There’s been snotty noses, vomitting, Kleenex balls, Halls cough drops (citrus flavored only), sneezing fits, hacking up a lung type coughing…

Shawn and I cut our night short yesterday. Instead of dinner we did lunch that I thoroughly was delighted with. We don’t go out to dinner, at least not just the two of us. The best we can do for the four of us is Souplantation. But instead we went to one of my favorite Italian restaurants, Buca di Beppo.  And then we spent some time at the R/C racetrack where Shawn races his truck. I fell asleep in the car, the iPod still in my mittened hans.

So instead of bowling we ordered a pizza (and a Cinnapie) from Papa John’s and spent the rest of the night home. We watched movies under a blanket and ate the pizza right from the box. All of that seemed fine.

Until it hit me.

I’ve slept most of the day. The other part of the day has been spent wrapped up in my King size microfleece blanket, sitting as comfortably as possible, watching “Perry Mason” movies, and trying to focus on the little tweedy stitches of a new yarn (and a new pattern).

And that’s all she wrote.

As for the giveaway the winner is: Raina. And just because I decided to give out another owl. The second winner is: Abby! Will both of you please email me at iknit (dot) ipurl (at) yahoo (dot) com. I need your mailing addresses and your color preference. Thanks for playing along everyone!

twenty.nine.goals

So now that I’m 29 I figured I’d make a list of 29 goals that I’d like to accomplish by the much dreaded 30th birthday. I think my 29th has been my last milestone. I do not wish to be “officially” a 30 something. Not quite for some time. I still want to play in my 20’s. Time. Le sigh.

1. Return to college Spring 09.
2. Decide on my major: English or History.
3. Buy and ride a bicycle. (I’m looking at a baby blue beach cruiser.)
4. Join a gym. (My target goal is to lose 80 pounds.)
5. Open a new Etsy which will include quilted projects.
6. Go to Magic Mountain with Shawn for Valentine’s Day, I’ll even go on all the rides.
7. Get a new hair cut color. (This is going to be a suprise.)
8. Get a new tattoo.
9. Replace our old loveseat with a recliner.
10. Upgrade the computer with Windows 7 and Photoshop.
11. Train for a marathon. (Marathon is in October I believe.)
12. Read all the books in my 2010 challenge.
13. Knit something for my grandmother.
14. Knit a pair of socks, “that don’t slouch”, for my mom.
15. Sew Scout’s Easter dress.
16. Paint the living room.
17. Put together all of the art work that we want to hang in the living room, hall way and master bedroom.
18. Finish the blouse I started six months ago.
19. Go back to Chicago with my mom.
20. Learn to eat healthy.
21. Complete the NaKniSweMoDo sweaters within the year.
22. Make a quilt for our bedroom. (Teal and dark brown.)
23. Learn how to crochet, beyond single crochet.
24. Write a book.
25. Make new friends.
26. Get the entire house organized.
27. Buy a new bed. (We really need a box spring and frame.)
28. Buy a new Blythe, either Urban Cowgirl or Ice Rune.
29. Enjoy the year before I’ll have to say that I’m. thirty. years. old.

Twenty Nine Years

Some days it seems like they have been a long twenty nine years. Other days it’s hard to comprehend that I’ve been on this Earth for 10, 585 days (give or take a Leap Year). Twenty nine years.

It all happened twenty nine years ago. It was Thursday and by mid morning I had been kicking up a storm. I was born when the meal should have been getting on to the table. Mom never lets me forget, “I didn’t get my pie.”

We had pie this year. And then out of nowhere in comes Shawn with a chocolate bundt cake with candles dripping wax onto the icing.

Today I’ve been filled with phlegm and congestion. I’ve also been filled with a lot of kind wishes from friends and family. Tomorrow is the day we will celebrate it. Out to dinner and a night of Cosmic bowling.

I’ve lived through -

eight surgeries * one funeral *two births * seventeen apartments/houses *ten jobs * one wagon ride through the Death Valley *three dogs *eleven tattoos * one marriage * two children * six years of playing softball * twenty seven years of riding horses * the Northridge earthquake * five white Christmases * saving my babysitter’s life * two cavities * winning a college scholarship * one AA degree * learning three languages * three broken ankles * being top cookie seller in my Girl Scout troop for three years * eleven states * seeing the remake of  “Halloween” * sleeping on my stomach * learning how to sew *

I suppose I could go on. Twenty nine years of busy-ness. Doing stuff. Going places. Learning things. Meeting people. Asking questions.

Here’s to a few more!

Thanksgiving is a Hoot

Today is the day that we give thanks. But why do we minimize our gratefulness to just one day out of the year? We should be giving thanks every day. We really should. And I believe today will be the first of many days in which I will embark on my journey.

Sometimes by the end of the day I’m so exhausted that I don’t even say my prayers. Sometimes I get so upset that not only do I dwell on the negative but I can’t even foresee the positive. Some days I don’t want to make three meals a day, plus snacks, and yet I don’t even think of how lucky we truly are to have the resources for three meals let alone one.

But today is different. It’s not just a day where we remember the Pilgrims and Indians, but a day to make peace within ourselves. I think highly of Thanksgiving. Maybe because I was born on Thanksgiving in 1980 and I figure that somewhere in the scheme of things that there was some kind of reason I was born on that day. (My birthday doesn’t fall on T-day this year, but tomorrow.)

Today will be filled with smiles.

Today there will be much to be grateful for.

• My husband and my children.

• The good health of my family. Recently I called both my grandmothers, who live in Illinois, who I haven’t spoken to for nearly 12 years since my grandpa died. They are doing excellent as is the rest of the family. I miss them so much and I wish them well.

• My friends. This means you. I don’t have many in real life friends but my blogging buddies, all of you, are like my best friends.

• I’m grateful for my new best friend, Rogue. Ever since having to give up Scarlett it’s been very hard for me. But Rogue has come here to replace her in some ways and for that I’m truly thankful.

• For the gifts that have been bestowed upon me. I’m thankful that I’m smart, knowledgable, and talented. What I’d do without my knitting or sewing I really don’t know.

And because I am feeling so grateful, I’m feeling a bit generous and I have a give away.

{Owl felt kit by Paper and String.}

I absolutely love this kit and have a feeling that I will be purchasing many more of her patterns in the future. They are all just. too. cute. I made this second one for Scout because you know if I make one then I really need to make two.

So as a give away prize I will be naming one winner and gifting them an owl in the color of their choice. Just leave a comment and tell me what you are grateful for. I will choose a winner on Saturday, November 28th at 5 p.m. PST.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Paper and Glue

Every year, since I started to scrapbook, I have always gotten creative and made our Christmas cards. And since I only make them for family and close friends I don’t have to worry about making dozens of them for people who might only look at them and then store them away. I try to avoid thinking about my pretty little cards in the trash amongst an abundance of wrapping paper, tape, or fruitcakes.

But this year I wanted to keep it simple because, really, do I need to make two dozen? I certainly don’t. While Scout was painting with her new Crayola washable paints I started making a mess with some scrapbook paper, brads, buttons, glue, distress ink, stamps…

and came up with this.

So even if I can’t afford forty four cents for every person who comments or for every person whose blog I read, I’m giving you holiday wishes via my blog. You may not get it in your mail but you can always look at it on your computer. I think that’s just as good. Don’t you?

Cute, You Want Cute?

I got it for you.

Oh yes.

You.

Can’t.

Resist.

You couldn’t, could you?

Her name is Rogue. She’s a blue nose pitbull from a Purple Ribbon line. She has beautiful gray blue eyes. She’s about 9 weeks old. And she’s my 29th birthday gift, from Shawn. (My b-day is Friday.)

I told you that you’d get cute.

Done, Done, Done

Done.

Wrapping things up feels so good. I feel so accomplished. I should be received a Gold Medal any day now.

I’ve made some adjustments in my life.

• Spend less time on the computer. Check.
• Watch less television. Check.
• Spend more time reading the books in my library queue. Check.
• Stick to my Slim Fast diet. Check.
• Go outside more often. Check.
• Write in my journal more often. Check.
• Finish up all those WIP’s. Almost check.

Yes. Almost.

Project #1: Slow going. (No pun intended.)

Sheldon the Turtle

Yarn: KnitPicks Green Apple and Grass

Needles: US 3’s and 4’s, Crochet Hook US C

Notions: 8mm black safety eyes

Project #2: The stashbuster.

Feather Cable Cowl

Yarn: Karabella Margrite, I only had one skein of this but wanted to use it for something. I ended up doing 6 repeats of the pattern instead of 8 repeats.

Project #3: A gift.

Pattern: Baby Chalice Blanket

Yarn: Red Heart Eco Ways in Aquarium, took about three skeins to get a blanket that measures approximately 34 x 38.

Now I can get back to my regularly sheduled program. Cause I am done.