I am a Jinx!

I am participating in the Dish Rag Tag again this year. I am the team captain of team K2Win.

Our box has gone missing!

This happened to my team last year. I am thinking that I should not participate in these kind of things anymore.

I know it's not really me (or is it?), but it sure seems like this happens to me a lot.

The kitties are doing well. They are beginning to get along better. And the kids are still cleaning the cat box and other bodily functions up without batting an eyelash (for the most part). Pye has a touchy stomach some days, and has led to a new realm of clean-up.

The knitting is going very well. I have 5 holiday gifts done, 3 more almost done and only a few more to start. I even have a pair of mittens for my daughter almost done for her 10th (how the heck did that happen?) birthday in 2 weeks.

I am still unable to go to my knitting group on Wed. nights. I can hardly stand it any more. I need to be around other adults that are not work or family related. Some days I just want to pull my hair out. I need that release of hearing other people's troubles, triumphs and enthusiasm. I will not do this again anytime soon.

This month is our Knitting Guild's Trick or Treat swap. I can't wait for this one. I always bring a few things. Some are going to be tricks this year, as well as a treat or two.

A Tail of 2 Kitties

We did get a second cat from the humane society. Her name is Annabelle. That was her name before we got her. We decided to not confuse her even more, by giving her yet another name.

Her previous owner boarded her at the humane society and never returned for her. She is very sweet and totally lovable.



This isn't her, but it looks almost identical.

The kids love her so much, she follows them around, gets in their way, gets in their face, and they totally LOVE it.

The two cats still don't get along yet, but they are slowly realizing that they are stuck with each other, and that neither of them are going away.

Knitting is slowing down, but still making progress. I am going to make some more beach bags I think. They are pretty quick and super easy. I want to do scarves, but I don't want to buy new yarn either. I will have to think on this some more.

School is in full swing, and J has brought home the bassoon again. He really likes playing it. In another week, he may be playing it in band.

I miss going to knitting on Wed. nights. I will be glad when this fitness class is over. I miss the back to school stories, the general welcome feeling from the group. It's almost like I am going to come back and have to start all over again, like it's a new group.

A Little Bit of This ...

Son of Dish Rag Tag is going smoothly. Teams have been chosen, all my team members have checked in, and the boxes should mail out late next week!

I can't wait! I love this type of stuff! It's so much fun, waiting to see if there is a new box when I get home, then seeing the items in the box, then seeing how much I can pack in the box to send on to the next person! It just makes me feel all bubbly inside.

And what else could make a person feel even better? How about a new kitty. Yup! We now have a new kitty at our house. Her name is Pye.



The back story: After we lost our last animals to old age and health problems, it was dictated that there would never be any more animals in the house while my grandma was alive. This was a few years ago. She held out much longer than I expected. But, I've noticed the signs that she was caving in on that old dictate.

My mom brought home this small black and white cat yesterday. Once the cat was in the house, my gran says "Now we need another one, so she isn't lonely".

So, back to the Capital Humane Society we went, to try to get another cat. Unfortunately, they were all out of adult cats. We will try back today or tomorrow. Heaven forbid the cat not have a companion of her own species.

Knitting is going well. I am getting a lot of holiday knitting done, and am really excited to knit again. Now, I must find kitty toy and bed patterns. Pye can't be left out of the knitting/crocheting gifts.

The kids are back to school and everything is good on that front too. (So far) J. has already talked his band teacher into letting him try the bassoon again this year. I think he is bringing it home today. Joy!

Well, I'm off to have a great afternoon, with possibly another kitty coming home!

Son of Dish Rag Tag

I am participating in this year's Son of Dish Rag Tag.

Emily is running this great race for a third year. Thanks so much Emily!

Last year my team had some stumbling blocks, but we still had a lot of fun. And who can beat the anticipation of a small box being delivered with yarn and goodies inside?

I can't wait to get started! Our team will be going coast-to-coast. California to Connecticut, and several stops in between.

Get your needles ready!

On the home front, things have been pretty good. J now has an official diagnosis. While this doesn't make things better, it does make things better, if you know what I mean.

We have just one major test left and that is on Saturday. IQ testing. J has never had this done before, but it will be interesting to see in what range he is at. They did some testing on his vocabulary and understanding, and he tested at/above a college level. (He is entering 7th grade this year)

It's hard to know how to handle a kid that takes everything you say literally, all the time, whose vocab. understanding/use is at a college level, but who doesn't understand non-verbal communication, teasing, or emotions (his or others).

I love him dearly, but some days I can't stand to be around him. I am positive he feels the same way about me. Probably more so.

Knitting is going great! I am knitting up Holiday gifts right now, and they are flying off the needles.

In fact, I received my new Zephyr acrylic needles from KnitPicks.com and have already worn one out. It snapped in half while knitting last Tuesday. (A new set is on it's way - free of charge!)

I am still trying to figure out what to do for gifts this year. Money is way too tight, and the things kids want are WAY too expensive. They are just going to have to be happy with less. (Are there any kids like that out there?)

Performing my Civic Duty

I spent 4 days this week serving on a jury.

It was an interesting experience, to say the least. I knit in all of our breaks, and ended up with 6 dish/washcloths by the end. I figured at least the downtime, when we can't talk about the case, wouldn't be wasted, and I still could participate in other conversations.

You learn some of the strangest things about the other jury members when you are confined to a small room day after day. (What venues have cheap food, movies about juries, etc.)

I am glad that it was a short trial though. And that we were not sequestered.

I didn't do much of anything else this week, except for go to court, go home, and knit during the day.

I am digging out of the piles of e-mail that accumulated over 6 days. Better get back to it.

Camp, Round 2

K is now at camp. We dropped her off yesterday afternoon. She was bouncing off the walls, she was so excited.

I hope she has a great bunch of girls this year. Last year, there were some divas in her cabin that weren't very nice. But, hey, she survived, had fun and is back for year 2!



Here she is at last year's camp.

And how about a few more: (Can you find her?)

Sadly, homecoming was early

Well, my dread was not unwarranted. I got the call around 9:15 p.m. last night.

"Please come get your child as soon as possible. He punched another camper in the face."

Such warm, fuzzy mom moments.

He was very tired, and very upset. He truly hated camp this week. It's hard to enjoy camp when none of your cabinmates want to include you in the activities. Combine that with lack of sleep, and problems controlling impulses and anger, and what do you get? A complete meltdown.

He did say that he really liked his horse. Her name was Honey. She was much more cooperative than Cricket was last year. J said the only problem she had was she liked to eat too much.

I couldn't get mad at J for hitting the other kid, knowing that this had been brewing since the first day. I feel bad that he is so different from the kids his age that they don't want anything to do with him. I talked to him about it briefly on the ride home. Suggested that when they were breaking the rules, that he should have involved a counselor/adult.

I am upset that he hit the boy, don't get me wrong. I know it's wrong, and so does he. And there is no excuse for hitting another person.

The final straw last night was at the lake and the rope swing. The rules say that there is no saving spots in line. The boy(s) ahead of him were doing exactly that. So, of course, my son has to be insistent that they were breaking the rules and can't save spots in line. This obviously got way out of hand. One kid got hit and another sent home. So, while the counselors knew that there were major problems with this cabin of boys, I am wondering where they were while this argument was escalating. (Simple solution would have been to have an adult supervising the line, and enforcing the no saving spots/cutting in line.) I don't know, I wasn't there. Maybe I am just too simplistic.

Today is another day. Tomorrow will be a new day too.

Time for some Mac 'n Cheese, Diet Pepsi and some knitting.

A Week of Horses

J is off to Ranch Camp at Camp Kitaki (near South Bend, NE). I am both elated and full of trepidation. I love having J enjoy time out of the house, riding horses, spending time with other kids his age. But... I also dread having J out of the house spending time with other kids his age, or those that are not familiar with his subtle signs of impending doom. (These are pictures of 2008)


I am hoping for a great week (weather permitting) for him with his horse and new friends. I think that he will keep it together. I just wish I could know for sure.


I haven't even had a chance to knit more that about 4 rows on anything for the last week. This is beginning to get on my nerves. I miss knitting every evening.

On another completely different note: "One Book, One Lincoln" announced the 5 finalists for this year's reading. They seem a bit more probable than last year's titles, but still a bit dark in theme. (racism, poverty, Sudan "Lost Boys", and civil wars). I will have to try to get one of these and see how they go.

I am starting to get K ready for her tour at camp. She goes in about 3 weeks. She's excited and ready to go.

Typical Government/University Thinking...

I have done a stupid thing. I lost my university ID card. This wouldn't be such a horrible thing, except that it is how I unlock the doors in the building.

Now, for the brilliant thinking/policy making, that can only be attributed to government and university minds. Ready? To report your card lost/stolen you must give them your name and (wait for it) the ID number that is only found on the front of your ID card.

Hello! Anyone paying attention? This number is not located anywhere else that you can access.

So, I was told that it would be best to not show up at the Ncard office for the next 6 weeks, unless it was absolutely necessary, as they are processing several hundred new students, and I would have to wait for each group to go through. (The ave. group size, you ask? 50 people)

Oh well. I will just have to stalk their office in the morning, and beat the influx of new students.

On the home front: Last Friday was the 1st day off for the summer for my kids. We went to the psychologist (we may have some new answers that make much more sense soon), then we went to the YMCA to bask in the sun in the new outdoor pool.

Saturday we went to the park, then the pool (let me tell you the water is very cold). After the pool, we went to Panera for a Lincoln Knitter's session. (only 3 of us showed up).

Sunday was the best though. We spent the entire day at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. We got there, drove around the parking lot for like 45 minutes, trying to find a parking spot (no luck). Finally got a spot across the street, then proceeded to walk around, ride the train, and ride the tram until almost 5 p.m.

Sorry, no pictures. But I will tell you that both kids were thrilled with the peacocks that roam free. And J wanted to get up close and personal with the prairie dogs that also roam free. K loved watching the sea lions. She made us get off the tram so she could watch them. (so much like me, anything about the water creatures)

The second best thing? the aquarium. We actually sat down in the shark tube for almost 10 minutes. We were all mesmerized and fascinated with the sharks, rays, puffer fish and sea turtle. I could stay in there all day and not get bored, but not the kids. I thought 10 minutes was about as long as I could make J stay in there.

Behavior has been pretty darn good from J over the weekend. But then again, he was being kept very active and busy with things that are not the same. This will wear off (i.e. the outdoor pool), but I will bask in the minimal fighting/arguing that occurred.

Knitting is going about the same, I didn't get much time over the weekend because of how busy and on the road we were, so I am in about the same spot I was the last time I checked in. I did cast on a new pair of shorty socks for J. He likes the way they feel better than store bought socks.

Well, have a great day!

(p.s. Jess, I got your postcard. Love it! Now, if you would have put your new address on there, we could send one back. PM me in Ravelry some time with your address)

Luvin' 'Amigurumi Knits'

I can't get over how much I LUV this book: Amigurumi Knits

I have made the Garden Snail, and started Nessie and the Octopus.

These are about as close to instant gratification as you can get for knitting projects. They are even more fun than socks.

I love Hansi Singh's designs. I have dreamed about her designs even before her book. I would drool over her Etsy.com site. (She has her shop closed this week, but I am sure she will be back in all her cryptozoological glory soon)

I am using the yarn that Jess gifted me. (Remember that tangled mess you were going to throw away? It has gone on to become some fun creatures!)

I need to finish up so many projects. I will work on that, bit by bit, and throw in some quick ami's to make sure I don't get too bored. Some of them are just too big and hot to work on in the summer, so go into hibernation until October or later.

Happy Knitting!

End of school approaches, and the frustration begins

OK, this post is just one big rant. Ignore as needed.

I am a bit apprehensive about school ending this week. I will be glad to not have to worry about missing assignments, and "we need this" and "we need money for this".

But... there is the problem of what to do with the 2 kids to keep them entertained/out of trouble/not fighting over the summer.

I wonder if there is any way to find more money and more camps for them to attend? I would love to be able to send them to camp all summer. (Anywhere!) But one's that wouldn't cost me an arm and leg to do so. (And one who is capable of dealing with an out of control temper/behavioral problems)

I do have a couple weeks of each kid going to Camp Kitaki. J will be going the week after next and K. will be going right after the 4th of July. I am also looking into a music camp for J. to attend. But then I feel guilty for not having a 2nd camp for K.

Then I find out that I may be called for Jury Duty on the week of the music camp. Well, that just stinks. I was thinking that I could take a day or 2 off that week and spend it with K, instead of a 2nd camp, but if I am stuck in the courthouse ...

I will have to think about this some more. I wish there were more options.

Everyone keeps telling me about BrightLights. But the hours do not fit with having to work an everyday job from 8-5. I mean the morning session is from 9-noon, and the afternoon session is from 1-4.

Who schedules these things? Don't they realize that people have jobs? I guess they are still under the impression that the "wife" stays home and can cart the kids to all their activities. and why don't they provide before care and lunch supervision at the other locations? I would have to get to work 1.5 hours late and leave 1.5 hours early. I mean, I guess then I would have to leave work again at 11:30 to supervise my own child over lunch and hurry back after 1 p.m. So, I would be at work from 9:30-11:30 in the morning and 1:30-3:30 in the afternoon. Sure, that's close to a full 8 hour day.

Ok, I think I've ranted enough (or quite a bit more that enough).

On the knitting front: I have started (and almost finished) Nessie from Amigurumi Knits I have the flippers and horns left.

I am almost 1/2 way done with my beaded sock from the Knitter's Brewing Co.

I finished those socks I have been using as appointment waiting room socks.

I made a purse/bag.

I made the garden snail from the same book that Nessie is in. (I plan to make many more of these creatures. I love this book so much.)

I made out my list of people for Christmas, and started to gather ideas for what to do (hopefully most can be accomplished from my stash). I may have to get out my 3 foot long size 50 knitting needles again.

I'm about 1/2 way done with a gift for Tana and her newest edition.

I still need to finish a blanket that will be gifted/donated too. Just have to seam up all the blasted blocks.

Plus I have some shawls I need/want to knit up, and several more KAL's coming up.

(Just remember Jess, you wanted me to blog more. I am sure you are having fun getting reacquainted with NYC.)

I was told I have to blog more...

OK, I understand, I need to blog more. (I actually have known this for quite some time, just don't have a lot of motivation/knowledge to do something about it)

I just don't have much to talk about. I still can't get the card reader to read my camera's picture card. Now, does this mean I need a new card reader, card or camera?

I still need to get the pictures off that dang card though. (humpf)

I guess I could try a new card, then a new card reader, and if all else fails? (gulp) a new camera.

I should go to Christy's Blogging 101 class tonight, if there is still room. Maybe that would give me a boost and some fresh ideas. (another drawback ... I don't have DSL or high speed internet at home. I only have the dreaded and nearly useless dial-up)

If anyone has any ideas for me that would be great too.

I am trying to get the money to add DSL at home, but $600/year is a lot out of my pocketbook. Maybe I will have to start making some stitch markers, row counters, and other small items to sell to help this along.

Off to think up some new designs ...

A Very Lazy Blogger

I guess I just don't feel like blogging. I love reading them, but I just don't feel I have anything that anyone else would want to hear.

So, I guess I can promote other people's blogs. Like this one: Julie-K. Julie is a friend from my knitting group/guild and loves to create new things from old things. Her giveaway today is made from a sweater sleeve cuff that she embellished.

I do love this one. It seems to say "Spring" to me.

I also love her bags. She makes some of the cutest bags. Some of the ones from recycled sweaters? well, let's just say Gorgeous!

Also, for anyone looking for some plants/flowers, and in Lincoln, NE, stop by UNL's East Campus for the Horticulture Club's spring plant sale. I will be stopping by later today to check out what they have.

Their sale is today and tomorrow.

Happy Planting!

Busy Buzzing Bee ...

That's how I feel right now. I feel like a busy bee, flitting from one project to another. And I am loving it.

I finished the socks I have been working on forever. Found another pair that only needed the second sock, and have that sock about 1/2 way done.

I have decided to undo the 2 other socks that need mates, and re-use the yarn for better suited patterns. So, back to the list of sock yarn/patterns I go! I need to find some great patterns to bring out the beauty of the sock yarn I have. I have more sock yarn that is variegated than I know what to do with right now. In fact, nearly all of my yarn is variegated/multi-colored/self-striping.

I wish that I had been a little more prudent when I was buying all that yarn. I mean, would it have killed me to have bought some solid/semi-solid colored yarn? Really? Oh, well. That just means that I will have to be a bit more creative when knitting it all up. I do have some pure black sock yarn, so that might be a good thing to do some colorwork with.

The kids have a snow day today. This is both good and trying. I brought J. to work with me today, and I will bring K. on Monday. I don't think I could have handled them both here today. Nor do I think that my job would be very thrilled either. Lately, both of them have been really snarky, grouchy kids. Neither one will cave on any decision. Sometimes I feel like one of those cliches: "he's touching me"; "no, she's touching me"; "mom, make his stop looking at me"; "mom, she looked at me first, make her stop looking at me".

Now, imagine that this bickering goes on about every single thing that they do, see, say, hear, think and even the things that happened like 2 years ago. I am ready for some valium. I think that everyone in the house should have some, so everyone can just chill out. (I know that this is not the solution, but dang, it would be nice to have a peaceful evening/day.)

I am wishing that I had Lisa's patience. I am not sure how she can keep her sanity some days.

Well, back to work!

A bit late on the Twilight saga craze, and a sock yarn reality check.

I am enraptured. I haven't slept for more than 4 hours in the last week and a half. All over a series of books.

Yup, books. I was a bit late on the uptake of this series. Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn.

Well, I read the first one. Kinda moseyed along, reading a bit faster as I got closer to the end. The second one? I read it in 11 hours. I started this last Sunday and I finished at about 2:45 in the morning. Dragged my butt out of bed, went to work and then had to run to the store to get the 3rd book. And stuck my nose in and read book 3 over the next 3 nights. Wednesday? I was at B&N, and picked up the last book (since I knew that I would be finishing the 3rd book later that night).

OK, that was 2 days ago. I did finish book 3 Wed. night at around 3:30 a.m. I started the last book last night, and should have it finished up very shortly.

I am getting kind of giddy. (I think that is directly related to the complete lack of sleep over the last week+)

Now, I have to wait until the middle of next month for the movie to come out on DVD. I hate going to movies before I read the books, and I really didn't think that it would hold my attention the way that it did. I think that was why I put off reading them for so long.

OK, enough about books. I have spent most of the last couple of months working on finishing my UFOs. And I still have not resolved my card reader issues. So, still no pictures. Hmpf.

I finished the Mystic Light shawl I was working on during the last Stanley Cup finals. Knitting complex, 2-sided lace and watching hockey just don't work well for me. at all. I'd get about 2 or 3 rows done, then realize that they were not right. So I would have to tink back those rows and do them all over again. Hmpf. I finally gave up, carefully stashed it away, and forgot about it.

I pulled it out of it's hiding spot, and was able to finish it in about a week or 2. Don't know what my problem was (except trying to watch that little puck fly across the ice with those boys chasing it).

I also finished a few hats, and some other small projects that just never really went anywhere. I am ready to start working from my stash for the next year. No clubs, no buying yarn (even sale yarn and sock yarn).

I put all the sock yarn into a table the other day (only the one's I could remember mind you). I wanted to do this so I could start looking for appropriate patterns to go with them. You can't knit lacy socks out of a self-striping yarn and expect them to look very lacy.

Here's why I will only be working from my stash: I have enough sock yarn to make 40 pair of socks. And I am sure that there is more sock yarn stashed in other places. Remember I told you this was only what I could think of off the top of my head? Um, yeah. I think I have enough to hold me for a while.

My goal is to do each yarn out of a different pattern. I want to try some new things. Broaden my horizons a bit.

I am not even going to go to all the yarn I bought from Smiley's Yarns. Let's just put it this way. I have enough Bright & Lofty in a day-glo pink to last the world for a lifetime. hmm, maybe I could make K a skirt and matching bolero/shrug?

Well, off to search for something to do with all that Bright and Lofty yarn (besides squares).