Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Halloween is hard on the parents.

True that, you think? I have three children. My eldest wanted to be a fairy. I managed to find some pretty wings and found some beautiful purple tulle to match and promised to make a tutu. (It's hard to find tutus for 13 yo's without paying an arm and a leg). Ay yi yi. She ended up re-sewing her tutu last night!! Poor thing.

The middle child is six and wanted to be a pirate. His entire costume came from things we had around the house. We had a leftover eye patch, hat and earring from a few years ago when the eldest was a piratess. I went to his school costume parade today and he was the ONLY one with a homemade costume. Can you believe it, folks?

The youngest has two costume choices: a hand-sewn dinosaur costume (I did not make it, it was a garage sale find.) or a giraffe. NEITHER one will he put on.

So, tell me--why do we celebrate this weird holiday which is nothing but a money and time suck? Every year, I TRY to be a good mom and get into it, but all that happens is I'm reminded of why it's such a ridiculous celebration.

Monday, October 23, 2006

So what did you do this weekend??

Friday night, I went to see Marie Antoinette. Oh wow, did I ever love this film. I love how it wasn't all about the Revolution but about HER. I also love how they didn't have Kirsten Dunst talking in some hideous accent. I also love it that the actress Shirley Henderson (she portrays Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films) is in this film because her distinctive voice is her biggest asset in that role. Of course, I love it that music by THE CURE is in this film in quite a shivery, emotional moment. I think I'll go see it again soon.
Saturday, my parents had their 23rd wedding anniversary and came over for dinner. My brother and his wife and daughter came over, too, and it was a lot of fun. Afterward, hubby and I took off to Barnes and Noble for a cup of coffee and quiet. In your town, is your B&N THE place to be on Sat. nights? Ours is always packed.
Sunday, I stayed in my jammies and ignored the Jehovah's Witnesses who were knocking on our door. Whispered things like, "I don't think she's going to answer." were cracking me up.
I knit most of the day with the Cascade 220 project. It's turning out pretty well, I think.

Friday, October 20, 2006


Today, Dominic asked me to do a puzzle with him. This one happened to be 100 pieces and quite ugly--dinosaurs--but I said, "OK."

It started out fine until I realized the puzzle was kicking my ass and it was a good thing the six year old wasn't there to witness me struggle to put the puzzle together. After a few minutes, of course, Dominic decided cars were more fun than the puzzle, but he would play with them next to me at the table for moral support. I hunkered down and told him we couldn't do anything else until Mom finished the puzzle.

Eventually (notice I'm not saying how long it was?) Mom finished. See the proof?







I stopped at an estate sale the other day and walked out with about 9 skeins of natural colored wool yarn for $6.00. The rest was mostly some really hideous colors that I thought I would never use. Until I put my brain to it and realized that I could overdye them and probably come up with some decent colorways that way. So, I called the lady and asked to come over and see what was left. She was obliging and I met her yesterday. I staggered out this time with a garbage bag full of yarn for $20. Then, she stopped by my house 10 minutes later to refund me $5. Wha? She over-charged me, she claimed. Oh my goodness. I felt like a highway robber. She insisted on hugging me and told me to call her anytime I want. I still am in awe of her and her generosity.





More finished objects--

another felted dress to test my pattern notes:



The FAA socks are done:



What's next? Here's a pile of Cascade 220 that arrived today. I'm not a huge fan of this yarn, but I needed something not too expensive, easily found that is available in all of the colors I wanted without dyeing it myself. It's a suprise, so that's all you'll hear about that right now. It's all wound up and ready to go, so I'm off to knit!! Enjoy your weekend, everyone.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Another freaking countdown



In a year of lackluster movies, October 20th is the day Marie Antoinette finally opens in the US. I've been waiting forever for this one to open. I LOVED Lost in Translation passionately and have very high hopes for this new one from Sofia Coppola. Who else would pair rock and roll music with the doomed French queen? I'm not a huge Kirsten Dunst fan, but in the previews I've seen, she looks perfect.

"DATE NIGHT" is scrawled on the calendar in huge red letters because I am not waiting another day to see this one!

Monday, October 16, 2006

Only two more days
Until the Project Runway winner is revealed!! I think at this point, it's still too hard to say who the winner will be. I do think my buddy Michael will not be winning, though. His collection was a disappointment to me. And with all of the drama over Jeffrey and Laura...I don't know.
Halloween is coming up and I am NOT one of those super moms who makes the most amazing costumes for their kids. Basically, because I think Halloween is a waste of time and money. How's that for Bah humbug? It's too bad for Anthony because he friggin loves Halloween. I try to be a good sport, but I definitely don't go overboard.

It's been unseasonably cold here lately and I've been living in flannel pajama bottoms, warm socks and sweat shirts at home. Hand knit wool socks definitely take the cake for keeping the feet nice and toasty. So, after I finish the pair for the Fiber Arts Avengers auction winner, I'll cast on another pair and probably keep a sock on the needles at all times until spring.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

The hat and mittens seen yesterday and another iPod cover are on sale today at noon Eastern time:

http://hyenacart.com/KimberlyR/index.php?c=13

Monday, October 09, 2006

Yet *more* hibernating!



It's been a long week of taking care of the convalescent. He's turned rather crabby and hard to please. When you're eating a soft diet and everything hurts your throat, it's difficult to be nice. I understand. Nighttime has been horrific and I will spare you a shot of the bags under my eyes right now. I think we have, however, turned a corner and are making our way towards normalcy again.

This pretty much sums up my coping--knitting small things from this jumble of yarn bits that I dragged out of my yarn stash. Never fear, there is LOTS more where those come from, but these caught my fancy. (The cute bag is a yarn cubby from Tif at Dara&Scott.com. I love it, it goes with me wherever I go and gets compliments all of the time.) Anyway, knitting small things from this yarn and felting everything in sight has been therapeutic.



Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Kids are magic.



We took Anthony to have his surgery yesterday morning. He was so brave and stoic. It was frightening to see him drift off to sleep on the operating table, and frightening to wait for him to wake up and be Anthony again. He did so well, though. No puking, which I was expecting. Minimal tears. He enjoyed inspecting his tonsils and adenoids and hearing how they were "huge" in comparison to most tonsils and adenoids.


He shrugs off Tylenol with codeine and since he is denied his bike and skateboard, hunts for bugs in the backyard. We wake him at 2 for his medicine, but other than that, he sleeps all night long withuot a peep.

He is my hero.

Monday, October 02, 2006

What I've been up to...

Hibernating, kinda. I've had a weird chest/flu thing. I spent the weekend on the sofa and feel OK today. Anyway, I managed to get a few things done during the sick time.

This hood/scarf is going to be a gift for someone's special mom:


It's Andromeda yarn from Henry's Attic, which is a single ply 50%wool/50% silk. YUM. Heaven to knit with and wear.










I also dyed some sock yarn for the winner of my auction for the Fiber Arts Avengers:

She wanted kettle dyed, so that's what she got! I am really excited to see how it knits up. It's Kona superwash merino from Henry's Attic, too. Fingering weight.















Tomorrow is the T&A day for my son. I'm trying to get things under control here so that I can focus on him tomorrow. Please send me Strong Mom vibes!