It's been a bumpy ride

I've been trying to recover from that funky stomach bug that is apparently sweeping the nation. It's nasty and takes forever to feel normal again. You know how you feel so drawn--as if all of the blood were drained from your face permanently? I can hear you now--Uhhh...no.

Anyway, the daughter is in serious rehearsals for this year's Nutcracker performance. She is a clown in Act II--you know, they pop out of Mother Ginger's enormous skirt? So, we've been spending lots of time down there, volunteering and waiting and waiting and waiting...but it's all so worth it in the end because there is something so magical about seeing her dance on stage. Every year sees a higher level of expertise and it's thrilling to witness.

I'm busy making business type decisions, thinking of new goals I wish to reach and deadlines for those goals. I don't know about you, but these type of decisions make me extremely skittish. However, I know they are necessary to do because it puts me in the right mindset as a business owner. It reminds me I AM a business owner and solely responsible for the growth of that business. Therefore, it's been knitting and thinking, knitting and thinking. It's overall very positive and once things get rolling, I hope it's all I wish it to be.

I realized today that Thanksgiving is only 4 days away and I will be responsible for feeding 13 people. I go to pick up the organic, Amish grown turkey tomorrow. He or she will be treated to an apple cider brine a day before T-day. I still need everything else for the dinner and have been in denial about that. Hopefully, I'll snap out of that soon, huh?

If I am not here to blog before the big day, it's because I'm stuck in rehearsals, coaxing little cherubs to smile, and cleaning my house, and trying to remove all stains from my tablecloth, and removing small fingers from my pies.

Don't Curse the Dad!

I thought that would get your attention. I'm sorry, I have had little to say and little time or energy to say what little I do have to say. **
Strike that--because one thing I promised myself was that I would NOT apologize to my BLOG for being busy.**

Today, I decided to bail out on pre-school "try out" or "practice" or whatever- you- want- to -call- it- day this morning because the thought of cutting one pseudo obligation out of my schedule this week was too tempting. (Don't get all huffy, it was basically a free- come- and- sing -and- play- in- our- pre-school to -see- if- you- like- it- enough- to- pay- a -lot- of- money- to- send- your- child- here- next- year. There is another one in December.)

So, we're home, the two-year old and I, for the first day this week. I get a few things done around the house so that it looks better. I had a scary realization the other night. I was walking through my kitchen door and noticed a bug on the trim on the wall. It was a box elder bug and where we live, they come out in the fall and try to live in your home. Anyway, I couldn't tell right away it was a box elder bug because attached to it was a huge giant dust bunny. It was at the same time amazing and embarrassing. I did consider running for my camera but decided that it would be wrong to document the fact that BUGS find it a little dusty on my wood floors.

My excuse is, of course, the fact that I'm busy. In fact, each week seems to get worse. I'm not sure how or why this is, but it is. It requires some looking at because I have not had ample knitting time to bring me down each night before bed. It's also trashing my creativity and I sorely need that to make it through this existence as a taxi-cab-driver mom.

I've had some exciting news this week--news that still has me poking it once in a while to make sure it's real. I am going to have a knitting design published in a BOOK!! Every once in a while, I remember it and go, "OH! Yeah! That is pretty cool." Then, I resume driving again. So, more details on that later.

And the reason for today's title? Dominic wanted a grapefruit and I only bought the grapefruit because my husband asked me to get some. I am not a grapefruit fan because I end up spending half a day in the kitchen preparing the grapefruits for the kids and prefer quick and dirty fruits like apples and bananas and oranges. Anyway, Dominic was asking for one during a time when I was particularly pre-occupied and I said with all the flair I could muster, "Curse the Dad and his grapefruits!!" Just as a joke, you know. However, Dominic is now marching around saying, "Curse the Dad!". I can't wait to hear the husband's reaction to that.

On a final note to this admittedly CRAZY blog entry, please go to the Fiber Arts Avengers store and see if there are any goodies to tempt you. Things are running until the 12th, so please go check it out!

The Fiber Arts Avengers are at it AGAIN!!

First, let me say how much I adore being a part of this group of vibrant, strong ladies who KNOW that when you put your Fiber Arts powers to good use, amazing things can happen!! Kudos to my friend Pamela for brainstorming this fabulous way of raising money for charitable fund-raising.

Now, on to the serious matter. My friend Marnie has a sweet daughter who is friends with a little man named "The Professor". He was recently found to have a brain tumor. My mama heart quakes at the thought of something similar happening to any of my children. I know YOURS is doing so, too, right now. He came through the surgery to remove the tumor fine, but is recuperating for the long battle ahead to ensure he has plenty of years to play with his friends.

The Fiber Arts Avengers are currently in the process of fund-raising for The Professor's family because as you all know, it's expensive to have a loved one ill and meals on the road, traveling, bills, etc. add up quickly. And money is not what you want to have to worry about while your little one is fighting a brave fight. So please, go to www.FiberArtsAvengers.com and see what you can do to help. If you are a fiber artist, consider joining our cause! If you are a parent, check out the amazing wares that will be offered for auction or drawing--all proceeds are 100% to the Professor's family. If you want to donate directly, that information is available at the website, as well. Even if you could just take a few minutes a day and send positive, healing thoughts to Natty, that would be appreciated and FELT.

Here's the link to all of the goodies: http://hyenacart.com/Charity_raffles/

Thank you so much for reading!

A hole, a hole!

Last week, Cari showed us a pretty sock that had developed a huge hole in the heel. Now it's my turn to mourn my first pair of hand-made socks. They are my Koigu Falling Leavessocks. Both of them developed holes in the ball-of-the-foot region at the same time. On one hand, I'm a little disturbed that the Koigu didn't wear that well. On the other hand, I like that the Koigu isn't long-lasting because well...handmade socks are special that way. Maybe if I gift a bunch of Koigu socks this Christmas, all of my friends will want to remain my friends because they will need their hand-knit wool sock fix.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

Oh, look at what arrived in my mail today!

My friend Erica kindly and beautifully embroidered our names on towels, so I know who to yell at when I find a towel lying on the floor.








They are so perfect for my new bathroom, I am giddy. I made those curtains, btw. My second ever sewing project. I won't disclose how long it took or how many times I had to rip out the little hole I was supposed to leave open for the curtain rod to go through.

























Dominic enjoyed snuggling his towel:
























Thank you, Erica! You are a queen!

It was a g&t kinda night tonight...

I drank my first while making dinner. The second while making the kids clean up after dinnner. Gotta do that more often.

The 6 yo son is scheduled for a t&a on Oct. 3rd. At first, I couldn't believe that the medical professionals actually call a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy a "t&a" with a straight face, because I could hardly stand to look them in the eye when they said that. Anyway, now that my son knows the term "t&a" I can't wait to see how the public reacts the first time he says it.

So, now that I got that childish bit out, I'm searching the web for enough soft foods to sustain him for two weeks. He's kind of on the skinny side, so I'm a little worried about him losing too much weight after. Although, he did inform me that marshmallow shakes would be just perfect.

Homecoming--*sob*

Yesterday was Homecoming at my daughter's school. First of all, I was floored to hear that middle school kids have Homecoming. Second of all, I couldn't believe it was treated like high school Homecoming. To an extent--no dinners out, but the manicures, the dresses, the hair, the tears over dates, ay yi yi.

My daughter is on the left.


She would kill me if she knew I was posting this picture on the internet. This is my reward for being perpetually on the road yesterday to get her beautiful and ready to dance with the infamous Ian.

This is sleazy...even for Republicans


I got a phone call this morning from a Deborah Cochran from Senator Tom Reynolds' office. I won a congressional award and they need to send me a press packet.

Instead of being thrilled, I was instantly suspicious and Googled the good Senator and looked up his phone numer. It didn't match the number I was given: 866-338-8289. So, I Googled the number and found this.

Can I just say how pissed I am at the underhanded way this is handled? How I am writing a letter to the editor of my newspaper today about this? Tsk tsk.

What to do about Twinkies?




I try to pack nutritious lunches for my son and bypass things like Flamin' Hot Cheetos because they just freak me out.

Now, I'm not totally anti-sugar. I include homemade pudding, cake, stuff like that. However, I found out that the son is just eating that junk from his friends' lunches. They share the Fruit Roll Ups, and the Twinkies and the damn Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

Do I just give in and buy that stuff? It's so irritating because it's so much cheaper in this country to eat that crap. You can buy a box of 12 Twinkies for something like $2. TWO DOLLARS. I pay more than that for a bag of apples.

I was listening to the radio this morning and am heart-sick to hear that the issues in Darfur are not getting better and are, in fact, expected to get much worse. Nothing bothers me nearly as much as genocide. It's human nature at it's very very worst.

The Genocide Intervention Network is doing wonderful work in the Darfur region, helping to protect the innocent. Please go read about their mission and how you can help.

I get a kick out of bands who don't take it all so seriously. OK Go seems to be in that vein, along with bands like They Might be Giants and Bare Naked Ladies. If you need a giggle (and I did because the President is on TV right now) watch this video. It's a much better use for treadmills than the norm, I think.



- "Here It Goes Again"

EDITED because the direct video link was messing up my blog. I think it was coded to work with My Space users.