boys, knitting, and geckos

Rough couple of years

2011-02-26T17:13:00.002-05:00

2009 - Zack was hospitalized, missed graduation, etc
Mom passed away
2010 - Brian got in legal trouble
2011 - Steve decides he likes someone else at work so he wants a divorce, no discussion, nothing.

Life sucks.

Tea Party

2009-06-30T16:07:00.005-04:00

This resulted from a Mom in Alabama asking her high school son to help with a commercial for the Tea Party she was involved in organizing. Boy, does it slam the message home. Very impressive. Here is her note:"I asked Justin if he could help me make a commercial for my group's Tea Party. He sat down at the laptop for about an hour, and then brought this to me and asked, 'is this okay, Mom?' After I finished watching it, my stomach was in my throat. Everyone that I have sent it to has really enjoyed it, so I wanted my friends to see it. I am so proud!" A very powerful video...turn up the sound & sit back...!!!

Selective Identification???

2009-06-30T15:13:00.003-04:00

THERE IS SELECTIVE HEARING AND THEN THERE MUST BE SELECTIVE IDENTIFYING..................

OBAMA, who likes to compare himself to President LINCOLN, apparently cannot read.

HOW DID JEFFERSON KNOW??????

2009-06-24T15:58:00.002-04:00

When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.

Thomas Jefferson

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.

Thomas Jefferson

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.

Thomas Jefferson

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them

Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.

Thomas Jefferson

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.

Thomas Jefferson

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

Thomas Jefferson

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

'I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered..'

SUMMER CLASSES FOR MEN

2009-06-15T15:21:00.001-04:00

Summer Classes for Men at
THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER

REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED
by Friday, August 16th 2009

NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL
OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM

Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays--Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?--Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor--Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM

Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM

Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined

Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.

Class 11
Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined

Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.

Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

Send this to all the guys that you think can stand the heat, and to all the ladies for the best chuckle of their day!

2009-04-21T16:10:00.001-04:00

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."
– Marie Curie

Accurate?!?!

2009-04-21T16:01:00.000-04:00

A study conducted by UCLA's Department of Psychiatry has revealed that the kind of face a woman finds attractive on a man can differ depending on where she is in her menstrual cycle.
For example: If she is ovulating, she is attracted to men with rugged and masculine features.
However, if she is menstruating, or menopausal, she tends to be more attracted to a man with duct tape over his mouth and a spear lodged in his chest while he is on fire.
No further studies are planned at this time.

punk doggie

2009-04-09T16:12:00.003-04:00

This dear pup showed up at a local shelter. And yes, he is pink with a little mohawk thing going on! They are not sure what the story is.
I have been told that if anyone wants to adopt him, they won't charge extra for the hair-do!

Happy Easter!!

2009-04-08T16:33:00.001-04:00

Daniel Webster

2009-03-20T17:24:00.000-04:00

"I apprehend no danger to our country from a foreign foe ... Our destruction, should it come at all, will be from another quarter. -- From the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government, from their carelessness and negligence, I must confess that I do apprehend some danger. I fear that they may place too implicit a confidence in their public servants, and fail properly to scrutinize their conduct; that in this way they may be made the dupes of designing men, and become the instruments of their own undoing. Make them intelligent, and they will be vigilant; give them the means of detecting the wrong, and they will apply the remedy."

--U.S. Senator Daniel Webster (1782-1852)

A fly in the toilet??

2009-03-20T16:20:00.000-04:00

Where can I get one?!?!?!?

Changes

2009-03-01T18:05:00.004-05:00

Zack's been driving the 07 Ion and I've been driving the 93 SL(is this right?!?!?).
The Ion is an automatic while the 93 is a stick. Zack prefers an auto and I the stick. My back also prefers the seat in the 93. And since I get filthy at work, I don't feel so bad getting the old car dirty. Then, just to make sure Zack wouldn't go near the old car, the clutch, synchronizer, and slave/master cylinders went. I first learned to double-clutch. Then I learned to up-shift without the clutch. Eventually I even got the hang of down-shifting sans clutch. Having to turn the car off at all stops to get it into 1st and then getting whiplash upon the restart was what put it out of commission for a couple of weeks.
As long as it had to go in for repairs, I had the middle exhaust pipe and muffler replaced done to quiet it down significantly (they were described as looking like swiss cheese) and had the cooling fan sensor replaced so I won't have to drive with the heat on again this summer! $900 later (which equals the purchase price of the car) and I'm back on the road. I averaged out purchase price and all the repairs over the 32 months we've owned it, and it has only cost $78/month. Can't find any other deals like that!

Zack came home from shopping one of those nights we were sharing cars and said the car had been hit in the parking lot. We called the sheriff and filed a report the next day. The officer who responded thought it looked more like hitting a pole. Who knows, doesn't really matter since we have to take care of it either way.
Finally got Zack to take the car in for an estimate. The bumper is scraped as is the fender but the fender is cracked up near the light. I guess cracks are not as readily fixable so... $1000-$1200 depending on how much blending of paint they have to do. Zack's going to have to decide whether to make a claim on insurance and pay the increased premiums or just bite the bullet and pay the whole thing himself. We have a $500 deductible anyway so I'm thinking he should just pay it. He also got a ticket a couple of months ago so his premiums are probably going to go up as it is.

More changes for Zack:
He had a girlfriend that he met at work. She ended up moving back to her dad's a few hours away. Long distance is tough.
Rumor has it now that he has a new girlfriend but I don't have confirmation or details yet.
He was growing out his hair and it was a bit wild... (especially when he didn't pick it out very well)
>
at least until he took himself over to one of the cosmetology schools and had 5 girls work on his head for 3 hours!

Did you know they use glue to make dreds?!?!? He was afraid he'd wake up stuck to his pillow this morning!

Brian completed wrestling season. He finished 6th at sectionals so he didn't go on to districts. He was disaapointed but he's only a freshman wrestling kids up thru seniors! They may be the same weight but certainly not the same experience level!

Next up is track. He's signed up and I have the schedule around here somewhere. I'm sure practice starts any time.

After just a couple of weeks of practice, Brian heads south with Steve. For the past few years, Steve has gone to Louisiana to help rebuild after the huricanes. This is the last trip down there for the sponsor group. Not sure where they will head next. Zack and I will stay here for school and work and take care of dogs and birds and lizards and...

Nerd? Me?!?!?

2009-03-01T17:56:00.000-05:00

SUCCESS HOW TO

2009-01-21T09:11:00.001-05:00

"The most important success principle of all was stated by Thomas Huxley many years ago. He said, 'Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.'"

-Kop Kopmeyer

Update on the Tipsy Ditzy

2009-01-12T20:01:00.003-05:00

Since I last wrote about Blitz's handicapped adventures, we have made major progress!!
He went from absolutely no use of his hind legs to being able to stumble around like he's drunk.
The 'regular' vets originally suggested that we think about putting him down. They also mentioned starting with a $1000 MRI to attempt a diagnosis (no guarantees there, though!), followed by possible surgery, etc.
Instead, Beth suggested someone who had helped her Shepherd-mix to get back to walking.
We have since made a number of trips down to Alexandria Kentucky to see Dr. Lieck. He is a chiropractic, accupuncturist vet for dogs as well as farm animals.
He did find that some of Ditz's spine was out of alignment, the disc was probably bulging and squeezing the spinal cord, so he adjusted accordingly. That was followed by many accupuncture needles. I had to look away but Ditz made it through. As a supplement to the accupuncture, he also prescribed some Chinese herbs. Every day we saw improvement so we kept taking him back for more.
We haven't spent the $1000 yet but we have spent a majority of it. Ditzy never lost the sparkle in his eye, never looked ready to give up, we couldn't just let him go.
He can now kind of run around the house, can get up on the couch, even jump onto the bed if he gets a good running start! His muscle tone is almost back to what it was and he can scratch behind both ears. We still carry him up and down the stairs but we no longer have to hold him up to go to the bathroom. He also no longer needs the doggie wheelchair we got for him. That will go to the garage for a while to make sure he doesn't need it again. Eventually, we may sell it on Ebay again.
The house is once again complete - PITA is back!

Doggie Math

2009-01-12T19:14:00.006-05:00

For Christmas, I was given 2 dog DNA kits. We had not been able to determine what Ditz was but thought we had Abbee at least mostly figured out. Turns out Abbee is more the 'mystery mutt.'

20-36% Beagle +
20-36% Cocker Spaniel +
10-19% Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound)+
less than 10% Collie +
less than 10% Great Pyrenees +
less than 10% Labrador Retriever +
less than 10% Miniature Pinscher +
less than 10% Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Equals....

100% Abbee!

and for Knucklehead (Also known as Stupid, Mystery Mutt, Ditz, PITA, etc.):

20-36% Boston Terrier +
10-19% English Setter +
10-19% Great Dane +
10-19% Papillon +
10-19% Schnauzer +
less than 10% Afghan Hound

EQUALS....

A Ditz!

Maxine...

2008-12-31T12:16:00.000-05:00

What kind of sweater?

2008-12-21T20:11:00.001-05:00

You Are an Argyle Sweater

You are contemplative, brainy, and serious.

You don't take much lightly - life is too important for that.

You are a very determined person. You don't let anything stand in your way.

You think out your actions and act deliberately. You don't waste time, money, or resources.

What Kind of Sweater Are You?

2008-12-17T16:37:00.000-05:00

Missing Michigan

2008-12-14T14:33:00.001-05:00

Why I Love Michigan at Christmas Time....
When it's Christmas time in Michigan , And the gentle breezes blow,
About fifty miles an hour, And it's twenty-two below.

You can tell you're in Michigan 'cause the snow's up to your butt,
And you take a breath of Christmas air, And your nose holes both freeze shut.

The weather here is wonderful, So I guess I'll hang around,

I could NEVER leave Michigan , My feet are frozen to the ground.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Lost Doctor Seuss Poem

2008-11-17T16:13:00.000-05:00

thought provokers

2008-11-17T16:08:00.002-05:00

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it."
--Raymond Chandler (1888-1959), American writer

"Democracy is the worst form of government, except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."
--Winston Churchill

"Catch a passion for helping others and a richer life will come back to you!"
--William H. Danforth (1870-1956)
--Businessman and philanthropist

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
–-Franklin Delano Roosevelt

How is your day?

2008-11-08T22:51:00.002-05:00

This is about where I feel I've been lately.

A month or so ago, I suddenly got a toothache like I've never had before. I was walking around with ice on my face.
The dentist sent me for a root canal. Extra anesthetic had to be used but I made it through. The endodontist took me off the antibiotic the dentist had prescribed and gave me Vicadin and prednisone.
Within a couple of days, it started hurting again. I called the endodontist who told me it wasn't supposed to be doing that! Duh! He said we'd watch it for a couple more days and go from there. Something told me to go back to the antibiotic, so I did. And that did the trick.
During this, I apparently got a case of salmonella. It hit Friday afternoon at work. I managed to get home somehow. Everytime I ate or drank, I ended up doubled over in pain. The next morning, driving Zack to his SAT was difficult. I probably should not have been on the road. I could not concentrate on what I was doing. I did not get back to work until Wednesday. Don't ever want to try that again!

A couple of faucets in the house were clogged with deposits and not flowing well (1 almost barely at all), so I got some CLR and cleaned them up.
Then we started having trouble with our hot water supply and water pressure?!?!? Was this related to cleaning the faucets? It didn't make sense but what else had changed?
In April, we had a tankless water heater installed. We shouldn't be running out of hot water!! The shower head seemed to be the main issue so I took it off again. Inside was a plastic strainer-type thing. It looked to have been dislodged so I got it back into place. Maybe it was restricting the flow too much and keeping the water heater from turning on?? Got some hot water for a couple of days before we lost hot water all together. What now? Turning on only the hot water in the laundry room sink (within a few feet of the water heater), I could see that the power light was turning on. The heater was trying to do something. At best, I could get bits of lukewarm water.
Turned out that a cut-off switch inside the unit itself had tripped. We had checked the circuit breakers but did not realize that it also had these internals switches. For some unknown reason(s), one of the internal tanks overheated so the switch tripped. Once we rest it, we had hot water again.
I also had to take it apart another time through all this to clean crud out of it. We are having major construction on the road, watermains, etc right behind us. They are probably stirring up everything that has settled in the system over the years. Regular cleanings will probably be a part of life for a while.
Then, that Friday afternoon at work, I got an email that we had a watermain break right across the street from us. What would that do to our water supply and heater?!?!? They worked till almost 11pm trying to figure out why we had water and everyone else in the neighborhood did not. It almost sounded like the system was running backwards from what they thought it did. It's repaired now, just have to get a coupke of areas in the complex re-landscaped.

The odometer in the car I drive is now on the fritz. It usually works but sometimes stops. It is usually 12+ miles to work. One day it only recorded 5.5 miles! Expensive to fix so I'll just have to track approximate mileage via gas consumption. I've always tracked gas mileage so this should not be difficult. i have the entire history since we've owned the car so i can use that as a foundation.

Zack had a run-in at school with someone he's had trouble with before so we had a meeting with the assistant principal. Since Zack is now 18, he got to sign the 'behavior agreement' and will have to deal with any consequences of his actions.

Somewhere in this, Ditz, our 'Stupidog' started acting a little funny. Couldn't quite put our finger on it but he wasn't quite as 'prancy' as usual. Then he started having trouble getting up onto our bed and then onto the couch also. One vet visit and we were told he had hurt his back. He was prescribed some anti-inflamatory medication.
Within two days, he was having major trouble walking.
A second vet also said back injury but it would probably take hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to figure it out. Even an X-ray probably wouldn't tell anything since animals aren't good at sitting still enough to get good pictures. Maybe a broken spine, maybe a slipped disc, maybe a tumor, maybe who-knows??? And what would we be able to do about most of those problems anyway? And the anti-inflamatory was stomach irritating so he wasn't eating or drinking much. He was switched to pain meds and steroids. There was already signs of nerve damage. Steve was basically told we would have to decide by about Monday whether to put him down.
Ditz has now lost almost all use of his rear legs. He has minimal movement and no strength so he drags himself with his front legs. His tail still wags and he appears to have most bladder control but has not pottied since. We carry him in and out, up and down, wherever he needs to go.
One night, Steve woke up to thumping sounds. Ditz had gotten himself down 18 steps toward the basement and outside. Only 7 more steps to go but Steve took care of them for him and carried him outside. We are looking into doggie wheelchairs and other assorted assistive devices.

Thursay morning, I headed out to the old car to go to work and found that stuff had been stolen overnight. The cell phone charger was gone (of course!), as was my fleece with Brian's football picture button, my sunglasses, my calculator for figuring gas mileage, the gas mileage book (remember the odometer issue?), most of the goodies from the glovebox, even my insurance cards! They separated out the registration and left it on the console, cleaned out the glove box and left it open. The 2 newer cars were not touched. Neither were the neighbors' from what I could tell.

Friday, my temporary crown came off while I was at work. (I think I need to give up working on Fridays! Something always seems to go wrong.) Tuesday I go for the permanent one so I'll make due till then.

And then when I came home, I wanted to get online to do some more looking at doggie wheelchairs. I turned on my laptop and logged in. Then it went completely dead. Like someone had flipped a switch. No power, no sounds, no nothing. I tried a different, universal cord that Steve had for his work computer. Still nothing. Today, I stopped at Computer Rennaissance and the intial guess was the power plug/port had broken away from the mother board. It's fixable... to the tune of $250! I could bring it in and they could look at it to figure out for sure. When I came back home, I looked and the port did seem to wiggle. Argh!
I brought it in and it actually did turn out to be the power cord itself, not the port! $50 for a different universal cord and I was back in business. If I have to have trouble, I guess $50 beats $250!!

When do I cry 'Uncle'?!?!?!?

drawing of Jesus

2008-10-22T16:41:00.003-04:00

Look closely and then look closer yet and then keep looking...It took me a bit to see everything so be sure to continue to look at the picture for a while.

Look at the lines the artist used to draw this picture of Christ. There are scenes from Christ's life.

The "longer" you look at this picture, the "more" you see.

Some things to think about...

2008-10-22T16:25:00.003-04:00

"Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability."
--John Wooden, college basketball coach, winner of 10 NCAA championships

"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions, and not on our circumstances. We carry the seeds of the one or the other in our minds wherever we go."
- Martha Washington

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."
- Abraham Lincoln

"Laughter is an instant vacation."
--Milton Berle

"The secret to getting ahead is getting started."
-Mark Twain

"The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential...these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence."
- Eddie Robinson, 1919-2007, Grambling State University football coach.

The nearest way to glory -- a shortcut, as it were -- is to strive to be what you wish to be thought to be.
-- Socrates (469-399 BC) Greek Philosopher

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are we doing for others?'
--Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Every worthwhile accomplishment has a price tag attached to it. The question is always whether you are willing to pay the price to attain it - in hard work, sacrifice, patience, faith, and endurance."
--John C. Maxwell

Interesting Quote

2008-10-21T10:10:00.000-04:00

"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."

Albert Einstein
1879-1955, Physicist

VIP from earlier in the season

2008-10-20T16:29:00.002-04:00

Weekly V.I.P.'s
Name : Brian Huffman

Family-Karen, Steve, Zack

Favorite food-chickenHobbies-video games (Call of Duty 4, NCAA Football)

Favorite teacher-Mr. Poggi

Why Mr. Poggi?- " I just really enjoyed being in his class"

How do you feel about high school? (What are you looking forward to/not looking forward to?) "Overall, I am not really looking forward to it but I am looking forward to the 1st week only.

"If you were coach for the day, what would you do? All tackling drills

Anything else-“I’m awesome”

A word from Coach Christman: "Brian has the potential to be a very, very good football player for us this year. His got great speed and skill could lead to him excelling at either running back or corner back. For the team's sake, hopefully it's both!"

My Homecoming Royalty

2008-10-19T20:36:00.004-04:00

Brian, being his usual flirty self...

and then out with the guys for dinner...

2008-10-02T17:41:00.000-04:00

Knitting fix...

2008-09-28T19:01:00.003-04:00

Most things are just posted directly to Ravelry lately but here are some of the most recent FO's:

(not) Becky by Berocco in Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton.

Galaxy 3 in Regia Galaxy that Steve brought back from Canada last year.

Wag and Ringo from Knitted Critters for Kids to Wear by Jean Adel. 2 more expectant parents at work!

Do things ever change?

2008-09-28T17:51:00.000-04:00

http://theanchoressonline.com/2008/09/27/545-people-with-too-much-power/

Thank you Duke Energy!

2008-09-16T21:10:00.002-04:00

Yesterday afternoon, they told us they did not expect to have us back on line till Saturday morning. Overnight, the power went on and off several times until it finally stayed on at about 3:30 a.m.

Steve has power at work. I do not but I get to do some work in the dark while others stay home (and probably get paid more than me!).

Brian v. Loveland

2008-09-16T20:16:00.002-04:00

Last week's game was against Loveland.

Kings won 25-10.

Brian had 2 rushing touchdowns, 5 or 6 carries, and about 150 yards.

Steve says he'd like to have Bri on his Fantasy teams!!

NEW TORNADO POLICY

2008-09-16T20:14:00.000-04:00

for the Cincinnati and nearby areas

In case of possible tornadoes sweeping through the Cincinnati and nearby areas, we ask that all residents take shelter at Paul Brown Stadium. We are certain that a touchdown will not occur there.

Thank you for your cooperation,

National Weather Bureau

In the Dark

2008-09-15T19:42:00.003-04:00

I know, I should be used to it, but...

this time it's literal. I am currently posting from Steve's work desk since they have power. Power at home was first reported out at 1:06 pm yesterday afternoon (Bengals fans, what happened to Brian Utecht?).

It is still out. I think the current numbers are over 600,000 still in the dark. They have restored 250,000 so far, are working around the clock, recalling crews from Texas as well as calling in help from the Carolinas, etc.

And still, they do not expect to get us back up and running until....

are you ready????

Sure????

9:00 am

September

20th!!

That's Saturday folks!! Almost a full week!

Healthy Living My way

2008-09-06T16:09:00.001-04:00

The lighten-up approach to living long, healthy lives.

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it . . Don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass(green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies,your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program? A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! . . . Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle? A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle,it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach. Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. And remember: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

AND . . . . .

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION:Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Bored gym teacher

2008-09-06T16:04:00.001-04:00

THIS IS AMAZING!

It must have taken forever for him to get these tricks just right!!

This guy is incredible.

Click on this link... Snotr

Thought of the day

2008-09-06T14:54:00.000-04:00

The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind.

--William James

Senior eye test

2008-09-05T17:42:00.001-04:00

(and I did see sheep..at first. Then I looked closer to see if I recognized anyone!)

Olympic Knitting Trial

2008-09-01T21:15:00.000-04:00

Icarus was to be my Knitting Olympic Trial. cast on no earlier than opening ceremonies and finish by the time the flame is put out. Each knitter is supposed tyo choose something to be a personal challenge. Icarus had been on my 'to do' list for a while. And the yarn was sitting in the stash. When MIL commented on my old 'chain mail' shawl and mentioned how she could use one, I figured it would be a good project for Olympics.

I tried, but didn't even medal.

I do like the finished project tho!

It is worked on US3 Addi lace circs out of some cotton cone yarn I inherited from a friend a few years ago.

Since the cotton was not going to stretch as much as a wool, I worked about 6 extra repeats before starting the edge patterning.

Had I worked the number of repeats called for in the pattern, I probably would have finished by closing ceremonies.

Instead, I finished late, late Saturday night. Blocked it last evening/overnight (strung out and pinned to our back deck). I consider it a success!

Are we bad luck?

2008-09-01T20:46:00.002-04:00

During wrestling season, Brian claimed I was his bad luck charm and did not want me to go to his meets.

For football, I went to 1 out-of-conference scrimmage during which he scored both touchdowns for Kings.

Steve and I went to their first game (also out-of-conference) last Saturday. Rough day. Kings could not keep Springboro from getting through the line to save the day. They also couldn't stop the Springboro offense. Brian got the ball for Kings a couple of times but was taken down immediately. Kings lost miserably.

Wednesday was their next game but it was approximately an hour away, at 5pm. Tough to do for those of us that have to work. (Steve went to his first Fantasy Football draft and also missed the game.) Brian ran back a punt and made a regular touch down. Kings won easily.

I think this weeks game is at home, again on Wednesday. Do we go or do we let him do his thing on his own?!?!?

Touchdown!!

2008-08-16T17:15:00.002-04:00

Football season has started. Brian is on the 9th grade team, primarily as a running back. Sometimes he's put in on defense or even special teams.

The first scrimmage was a week ago against Glen Este. Steve went to that one and watched as Brian apparently had butterfingers.

Yesterday Kings traveled to Withrow HS. Interesting ride down into Cinci. We picked up Brian's brother along the way so he could watch, too. Withrow is apparently an old school but it has the coolest stadium I think I've ever been in!

Kings won 14-12. And Brian actually scored both TD's for Kings!
Should be a fun season...

Internet yuck!

2008-08-16T16:58:00.002-04:00

Well, we're back.

We think.

We've been through umpteen phone calls and 3 service calls but it looks like it's finally working.

A laundry list of excuses:

*bad modem

*wrong power cord for new modem

*service 'off'

*forgot to reprogram service for the new modem

*splitter on line for cable was interfering (been there for 2+ years since we switched to satellite)

*bad wiring before the modem

and my favorite:

'We don't know what's going on.'

We even replaced our wireless router somewhere along the way. Is there anything else left to replace?!?!?

A post from work - don't tell the boss!!

2008-07-25T16:51:00.006-04:00

We've been having internet problems at home lately and they have gotten progressively worse. We now have no internet at all. Steve called Time Warner who told us the modem had gone bad. Drive over to Tri-County Mall and trade it in. I did that. They don't have the speediest customer service reps there so it took longer than I expected. Finally got the new one and brought it home. Steve plugged it all in but it looked like it was still acting up. He tried resetting it and giving it some time. No luck. Called Time Warner again. Spent over 90 minutes on the phone with them (most of it on hold) before they determined that they couldn't even detect the modem, almost like service was 'off' and they couldn't restart it. They think there's something wrong with the wiring before the modem. Can't get out to even look at it until Wednesday!

In the meantime, I am restricted to using my work computer which does not allow me to access any of my personal email accounts (yahoo or roadrunner). If you have sent any messages there and I haven't responded, I apologize!! I'll get to them as soon as I can.

If you are on Ravelry, I can access those messages from work (at least till corporate figures out what it is!). Look me up as 'Kaparoo' if you're there....

Yum - Starbucks!

2008-07-22T16:30:00.002-04:00

What Starbucks drink are you?

You scored as a White Chocolate Mocha
You are mostly like this drink because this drink looks like regular coffee on the outside, just like you seem to be normal. In reality, you are both really great and sweet.

White Chocolate Mocha
75%
Frappacino
75%
Espresso Shots
63%
De-Caf Latte
63%

What Starbucks drink are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

Breakfast Cookies

2008-07-18T19:07:00.005-04:00

An old recipe from S.H.A.R.E. Michigan, tweeked by Steve...
YUM, YUM!

2 cups Bisquick
1lb ground sausage
~12oz shredded cheddar cheese
2/3 cup milk

Brown and drain the sausage then place in a large bowl
Add Bisquick and cheese and mix well
Add milk last and mix again until all the Bisquick is moist
Place teaspoon-tablespoon size balls (depending on how big you would like them) on a greased cookie sheet
Cook ~15 minutes @ 350F

Chef's Notes: I typically double up the recipe and use a maple and spicy sausage mix. It gives you a nice sweet and spice contrast. You can add more or less cheese for your desired tastes, I usually use sharp cheddar.

Quote of the Day

2008-07-18T19:04:00.001-04:00

"Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em, 'Certainly I can!' - and get busy and find out how to do it."

Theodore Roosevelt
1858-1919, Twenty-Sixth U.S. President

Surprise, surprise!

2008-07-17T18:01:00.001-04:00

As a 1930s wife, I am
Poor

Take the test!

New Additions

2008-07-08T18:21:00.003-04:00

Do we really need more pets?!?!?!?
Probably not but.... Brian's friend's family was looking for a home for 2 parakeets.
We now have 2 - Thunder (darker grey/blue) and Lightning (white with hints of lt blue).
Guess I need to get some pictures to post.
(Does anyone know whether I can mix doves and keets in the same cage? I've been thinking of getting a larger cage anyway...)

We made it!

2008-06-29T19:50:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was Zack's appointment to take his driving test. (1:45pm)

In the morning, we picked up this month's AngelFood order. We had Zack drive there and back just to 'warm up' a little.

When we got home, I squeezed the groceries into the freezer and then Zack wanted to head to the testing station early to make sure we had all the paperwork required and spend a little more time driving the course.

We got there and got another copy of the list of paperwork needed. The same list that was on the appointment reminder I printed from the web scheduler. Out to drive the streets and somehow, we ended up in an area I was not very familiar with.

And then I looked down at the list of paperwork again. This time I noticed that the 50 hour affadavit was supposed to be notarized!! Oh no!! Quick, to a bank for their notary. We went to the one in the grocery store since we have accounts with them.

She's not in today. Did I want her to call down to the bank-mart across from home? 'Don't have time.'

To the bank located out in the shopping center parking lot.

Nope. She's off today also.

Where else can we go? They suggested the bank in Walmart and gave directions to get there.

I'm really getting worried at this point that I've ruined Zack's big day.

Into Walmart and to the bank. Notary?? Please!?!??!

Yes, but.... Her renewal isn't in yet so she can't help. 'But DMV has one.'

What?!?!? That's what we're trying to get this done for!! Why didn't the others tell us that when we explained what we were trying to do?

Now, how do we get there from here? Left at the light out of the lot, then left on 48. Sounded easy enough.

We headed back to the entrance/exit we came in at. No light and no left turns allowed. Quick, turn through that other lot and back toward Walmart. We managed to find a different exit that had a light! (Hopefully the right one.) Took a left and were able to see the next intersection and it was 48! We're on the right track. It is now about 1 and we were supposed to arrive 15 minutes early for his 1:45 appointment. There should be enough time to get it done before his test.

I pulled out the driver's book and found the phone number to the testing station. Do you really have a notary?!?! No, but the license office next door does. And they are open till 2.

Yes, we should be able to make it! And it was closer than I thought. Soon we were there.

Into the lot and pick a spot. Zack and I were't quite communicating so it didn't quite look like he'd done much driving at all when we pulled through the lot and passed the various examiners heading in and out to the cars.

We picked a spot and he backed in so he wouldn't have to potentially back out into traffic with the examiner.

To the licence office and get the form notarized and we find out that the testing department doesn't even check it. It's checked afterwards at the license office when you actually get your license.

What time is your appointment, they asked. 1:45. Well, hopefully, you'll be done and able to get back here before we close....

Ugh!

It's now about 1:10 so we have plenty of time to sit and wait. We check in and settle in for the long haul.

1:15 and Zack is called!! Out they go and I start climbing the walls.

At about 1:30, he comes back in, following the examiner. 'Mr. Eyeore' isn't showing much. Did he pass or not?!?!?

Then he cracks a small smile!!

We collected the papers and read the letter to parents and headed back next door to the license office. We check in and sit down to wait again. A few minutes and we're called. It's looking like we'll make it before closing and then some.

Then the license machine goes down. And they are fighting with it, and making calls, and threatening the sledge hammer, and...

Then they start turning people away saying they didn't think they's get it up and running again before they closed. Some asked if they could take their papers to another office or if they had to process them at that location. They could take them elsewhere but the other offices close either at 2 (only a few minutes away) or they closed at noon.

More waiting and sweating.

Then they get the machine working again!

The first person waiting to have his picture taken does, and then it goes south again. Turns out his license is suspended so they can't actually renew it till after it expires. He's not happy and there is yelling back and forth across the office. Eventually he leaves.

Now it is after 2 and they're supposed to be closed. What about the rest of us? They kept working!

Zack has his license!!

I have left a message with the insurance company to find out how much more money I have to send them.

And Zack took his first drive all by himself today. He didn't like wearing my sunglasses when he drove and wanted a $13 pair the other day. Ace Hardware had sent a flyer advertising assorted sunglasses for 99 cents. Today was the last day of the sale. He drove across the street to Ace and also to pick up a paper at the grocery store for me.

Steve laughed at me when I took note of what time Zack left so I would have an idea of when he should be back. I watched him pull out of the driveway. I had asked him about calling me when he got there but it turns out he forgot his phone.

I kept myself busy so I wouldn't climb the walls too much.

And before I knew it he was back!!

Tomorrow, Brian has weight lifting at school and Zack wants to get a parking permit for school so they will be out on the road again. I'll have to make sure they have their phones with them...

quote for today

2008-06-26T17:08:00.001-04:00

"Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more. They did all that was expected of them and a little bit more."

--A. Lou Vickery

Boy update:

2008-06-26T17:02:00.001-04:00

School finished the day after Labor Day (snow make-up day) so now they are home being bums.

Zack:

-finished his junior year of high school and has been accepted to Sinclair Community College. This is the school that sponsors the Digital Media Arts Academy program at his high school that he has been in the last couple of years. Supposedly, as long as he completes next year's class (which he is signed up for and is looking forward to), he will receive a scholarship to Sinclair to continue!

-is scheduled for his driving test Saturday the 28th.

-is headed back to his psychologist to work on his anger and resentment that really seems to have blossomed since his father's death last year.

-is nursing an ill gecko. For some reason, Twilight and her cage-mate stopped eating and lost a lot of weight. I tried various remedies from the pet stores but we did lose Oopsy. Twilight made a $100 trip to the specialty vet (same one that I took Angel to last year) and is on a special food via syringe after soaking in a warm bath several times a day since. She has been more active and has pooped more since so I'm thinking/hoping it all might be helping...

Brian:

-finished 8th grade and will be headed to the high school in the fall.

-was part of the 4x200 realy team that broke the school record this year.

-volunteered at a track camp for younger elementary kids and was voted 'Best Counselor' and 'Best Piggy Back Ride Giver.'

- is finishing up helping at wrestling camp this week.

- received the 'Health Award' and a President's Fitness t-shirt at the end of school.

-Has managed to break yet another cell phone. (I think he's on #6 and counting...)

quote of the day

2008-06-19T17:01:00.000-04:00

"There are two types of people who never achieve very much in their lifetime.
One is the person who won't do what he or she is told to do and the other is the person who does no more than he or she is told to do."

--Andrew Carnegie

Change is Coming...

2008-06-19T16:58:00.000-04:00

The buzzword of this election is 'CHANGE.' All candidates toss it around without
saying what they want to change to. Just that we need CHANGE!

This brings to mind the following illustration.

Years ago, there was an old tale in the Marine Corps about a major who
inspected his Marines and told the 'Gunny' that they smelled bad. The major
suggested that they change their underwear.

The 'Gunny' responded, 'Aye, aye, sir. I'll see to it immediately.'

He went into the tent and said, 'The major thinks you guys smell bad, and he
wants you to change your underwear Smith, you change with Jones, McCarthy,
you change with Witkowskie, Brown, you change with Schultz .'
'Change, now get on with it'

And the moral is:

Any candidate may promise change in Washington ...but the stink remains!

Eva in her Sunflower Sundress

2008-06-18T20:40:00.003-04:00

I only gave this to her Dad on Monday and he already sent me a pic of her in it!

Isn't she adorable?!?!? (I just wanna squeeze those little legs!)

A bit of stash knitting

2008-06-15T20:44:00.005-04:00

Up-Down Spiral Socks (a.k.a. Purple Rainbow Socks):

Leftover Cherry Tree Hill wool sock yarn, 2 strands at a time in a slip stitch pattern. Fun!

Toe-Up Circular Seemless Baby Booties:

left over Sockatta cotton sock yarn from my Mock Wave Cable Socks

Minnowknits' Sunflower:

using stash Plymouth Wildflower DK and stash buttons

Peachy Baby Sweater (the designer's was in a peach yarn):

worked top down, also out of stash Wildflower DK

And don't get any ideas about the baby items!! I work with a bunch of young kids that all seem to be starting families.

Transparent Butterfly (Absolutely gorgeous! )

2008-06-12T17:29:00.002-04:00

It comes from Central America and is found from Mexico to Panama. It is quite common in its zone, but it not easy to find because of its transparent wings, which is a natural camouflage mechanism.

A butterfly with transparent wings is rare and beautiful. As delicate as finely blown glass, the presence of this rare tropical gem is used by rain forest ecologists as an indication of high habitat quality and its demise alerts them of ecological change. Rivaling the refined beauty of a stained glass window, the translucent wings of the Glasswing butterfly shimmer in the sunlight like polished panes of turquoise, orange, green, and red. All things beautiful do not have to be full of color to be noticed: in life that which is unnoticed has the most power.

To the praying women in my life...

2008-06-12T17:07:00.001-04:00

Live your life
in such a way that,
when your feet hit the
floor in the morning,
Satan shudders and says,
"Oh, no....she's awake!!"

2008-06-06T09:16:00.000-04:00

Car lust

2008-06-04T16:37:00.004-04:00

Recently I fell in lust with a new car. I used to drive small hatchbacks and really liked them. When I bought my last 2 cars, there weren't really many offered. And a small 'wagon'?? That was an evil word on car lots! We have, as I'm sure we all know, a 1993 4-door Saturn SL, a 2004 Saturn Vue (toy SUV), and a 2007 4-door Saturn Ion. Nothing wrong with any of them. Till I saw one of these on the lot (they're so cute in person!):

More pics available at:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-saturn-astra-1/153905/

And then this week, Steve sent me an email saying Ford would be bringing back the Fiesta! The old Fiesta was probably one of my all-time favorite cars. Couldn't kill 'em, great gas mileage (40+/-), fun to drive, and plenty of room, especially for a small car.

More pics here:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2x0y0z9-ford-fiesta/

Since I'm still paying on 2 of the current Saturns, I'm not sure I need a 3rd. And the Fiesta won't be in the states till next year. Guess I'll be dreaming for a while!

...just someone's feelings up in Jamestown NY!

2008-06-04T16:16:00.002-04:00

Thank You Ruth!

2008-05-24T18:10:00.004-04:00

My second beautiful set for the Stitch Marker Exchange came from Ruth in Seattle! And with some Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate - can't wait to try it...
Turns out, Ruth and I traded as I sent to her as well!
Thank you, thank you!

A requested Angel update

2008-05-24T17:40:00.003-04:00

I do like to take her outside for fresh air and sunshine.
And a little 'cuddle' time.
Yes, she still sits in my hand, usually.

She hasn't been out in the grass in years. What would she think?

The grass apparently tickles. Angel spent a lot of time trying to groom herself, and the grass!

I even took her over to the ground below the birdfeeders and gave her some wild bird seed to peck at.
She just enjoyed the weather. There is always seed back in the cage!

As long as I squatted or sat down, she was fine. If I stood up, she got spooked and tried to get away. She still has trouble walking on flat ground, walking on the grass was even tougher! She also tried to fly a couple of times. She can get a couple of feet off the ground and then comes crashing down, face first. I don't think she did any permanent damage, just lost a few feathers and damaged ger pride a little. But she did seem to enjoy being out again!

Mother's Day ceramics from Brian

2008-05-24T17:23:00.005-04:00

It whistles better than I do!

No mortgage...

Adorable!

The top was supposed to be bright white but the teacher 'antiqued' it. I like it!

Thank you Bri!

Thank You to all our Veterans!

2008-05-23T15:26:00.003-04:00

The story is excellent but you must go to the link at the end to get full appreciation.

The elderly parking lot attendant wasn't in a good mood!

Neither was Sam Bierstock. It was around 1 a.m., and Bierstock, a Delray Beach, Fla. , eye doctor, business consultant, corporate speaker and musician, was bone tired after appearing at an event.

He pulled up in his car, and the parking attendant began to speak. "I took two bullets for this country and look what I'm doing," he said bitterly.

At first, Bierstock didn't know what to say to the World War II veteran. But he rolled down his window and told the man, "Really, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you."

Then the old soldier began to cry.

"That really got to me," Bierstock says.

Cut to today.

Bierstock, 58, and John Melnick, 54, of Pompano Beach - a member of Bierstock's band, Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Band - have written a song inspired by that old soldier in the airport parking lot. The mournful "Before You Go" does more than salute those who fought in WWII. It encourages people to go out of their way to thank the aging warriors before they die.

"If we had lost that particular war, our whole way of life would have been shot," says Bierstock, who plays harmonica. "The WW II soldiers are now dying at the rate of about 2,000 every day. I thought we needed to thank them."

The song is striking a chord. Within four days of Bierstock placing it on the Web, the song and accompanying photo essay have bounced around nine countries, producing tears and heartfelt thanks from veterans, their sons and daughters and grandchildren.

"It made me cry," wrote one veteran's son. Another sent an e-mail saying that only after his father consumed several glasses of wine would he discuss "the unspeakable horrors" he and other soldiers had witnessed in places such as Anzio, Iwo Jima, Bataan and Omaha Beach. "I can never thank them enough," the son wrote. "Thank you for thinking about them."

Bierstock and Melnick thought about shipping it off to a professional singer, maybe a Lee Greenwood type, but because time was running out for so many veterans, they decided it was best to release it quickly, for free, on the Web. They've sent the song to Sen. John McCain and others in Washington. Already they have been invited to perform it in Houston for a Veterans Day tribute - this after just a few days on the Web. They hope every veteran in America gets a chance to hear it.

GOD BLESS every EVERY veteran...
and THANK you to those of you veterans who may receive this !

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO HEAR THE SONG AND SEE THE PICTURES:

http://www.managedmusic.com/php/BYGIndex.php?page=playBYG

If that doesn't work, click http://www.managedmusic.com/php/BYGIndex.php?page=Before_You_Go_Home and keep clicking on "hear the song."

On the site, you will see that there is the original version dedicated to WW2 and Korean Vets and then they added another for the Vietnam Vets (same song, different pictures).

do I really need more socks?!?!?

2008-05-21T20:51:00.002-04:00

Bit of Lace Sport Footies out of Cascade Fixation.

Mock Wave Cable in Sockatta.

The beginning of Up-Down Spiral socks in Cherry Tree Hill.

I'm not sure if I really need more, but I keep knitting them anyway....

I'm also trying the Little Leapin Long Legs in a 'mystery' wool....

thank you Jean!

2008-05-21T20:34:00.003-04:00

The Lonestar Needler sent me these beautiful stitch markers and amazing dishcloth!

She adjusted the pattern for the dishcloth in order to use self striping yarn!

TODAY'S POSITIVE THOUGHT

2008-05-21T09:48:00.000-04:00

The nobler sort of man emphasizes the good qualities in others, and
does not accentuate the bad. The inferior does the reverse.

-- Confucius (551-479 BC) Chinese Philosopher

Betty

2008-05-17T20:51:00.002-04:00

I realized that this blog is named 'boys, knitting, and geckos' but i've never posted anything about the geckos.
Here is Betty, curled up in her bowl. She is just one of a bunch we have but the first I've seen to doo this. I thought it was cute!

Another Saturn story...

2008-05-17T20:13:00.004-04:00

But not as fun as the last one...
In March, after Cincinnati's so-called Blizzard, Steve headed off to work.
I had called in to work as I had pulled my lower back the day before and had a made a doctor's appointment to find out if I would ever be able to move again. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't get comfortable, etc. I was not a very happy person at this point. And the phone rings. It was Steve telling me he felt sick. I thought, if he's sick, he should come home and go to bed. He doesn't need to ask my permission or anything!
Nope. Not that kind of sick. He had 'tore out the entire side of the Vue.'

It turns out, they had been working at installing parking lot lights and just had the concrete pillars/bases in. Somehow, as Steve was cutting from one aisle to another, he managed to not see one and bounced the car off it. He said he hit pretty hard.
I actually surprised both of us and didn't lose it. What difference would that have made anyway??
He called the insurance company and got all that taken care of during the day. I spent several hours at the doctor, and then went to the pharmacy before I was able to come home. I couldn't wait for him to get home so I could see all this damage.
Finally, he made it home:

Not as bad as I expected!
We took it to the recommended repair place down at the corner. With that weekend's snow, they were scheduling for 2 weeks out! We were concerned about what mechanicals were now open to the elements with the broken 'skin' on the front door. We talked about trying to cover and seal it but then decided we wouldn't be driving it anyway (2 otherSsaturns to choose from after all!). They were concerned as well since the power window motor sits right behind the break. But if we're not going to drive it, why not leave it with them and they's squeeze it in when they could. They figured they'd probably be able to get it done before what they were even scheduling for.
They were right! It was done in just under a week. They had to replace the front door as the frame was bent and the skin of the back door (it cracked also). And the paint, etc.
I think the insurance company only had to pay about $1100 for their part plus the $500 deductible and it's back on the road!
All better now...

AAA or UPS??

2008-05-17T19:44:00.002-04:00

A little background:
We have 3 Saturns, one being a plain old 93 SL. It may not be the most glamorous or in the best of shape but it's paid for and it gets the best gas mileage of the 3.
A few weeks ago, I was talking with Steve about some of the goofy things I learned early in my driving days (25 years ago!) and ended up telling him one of the stories of the 1972 Mercury Capri.
I was a junior in high school and had to ask permission (and have a good reason) to drive the family van. Dad was headed out of town on business for the week and said I could drive his car for the week!! Yeah - no school bus! Boy was I excited!!
Monday night, I was to attend a meeting at school so off I went. Up over the mountains, into the next town. It was probably dusk, so I had the headlights on but cars started flashing their lights at me anyway?!?! And then the dash was dark and...
then it wasn't running so well.
Or at all.
I managed to get it into one of the gas stations and called home. My step-mother got in the van and came after me. She pushed me all the way back home. Broke the back-up lights and such but we got the thing home. It would hav e to wait for Dad to figure it out and fix it.
No car for the week now and it was only Monday!!
When Dad called home, we told him what happened. He proceded to tell me that if I had been a UPS driver (as he had been), I would have been told to take my shoe off and hit the battery terminals with the heel. It would have been fine.
It turned out that the alternator had failed so banging on the battery terminals wouldn't have actually helped for that situation but... the story stuck.

Flash foward 25 years and I drove the little car to work. After work, when all I want to do is get home and crash, I turn the key and...
NOTHING!
No cranking, no clock, no radio, nothing.
Being a stick, the first thing I decided to try is popping the clutch.
The only other person at work at that point is one of our truck drivers with a bad hip. But he wouldn't get in and let me push! What a sight we must have been!
But...
still nothing.
Pop the hood and find the battery terminals. They are hidden off the back side of the battery, poking out from under the battery cover. They looked ok but what did I have to lose?!?!?!
I took off my clog and smacked the first terminal. It almost looked like I pushed it into the battery. But nothing bad happened so... I hit the other one, too.
Then I got back in the car and turned the key.

(Plain) Jane started right up!

I drove straight home, do not pass go, do not collect $200, etc. (I really didn't want to run those errands anyway!)

She has started and run every time I've asked her to since.
Thank you UPS!

p.s. Anyone know how to reset the clock on an old Saturn radio??

socks, socks and other knitting

2008-05-17T18:24:00.005-04:00

Some of what I've been working on the last couple of months...
(in no particular order)

Star of the Day hat and toddler socks:

Galaxy again:

Jaywalkers - finally!

assorted hats for the ShipSupport.com group:

(the last 2 are the Koolhas hat pattern from IK.)

BFF socks:

Phiaro Stole for Kim:

this...

became....
Fawkes:

and...
Falling Leaves:

Falling off the edge

2008-04-13T22:27:00.003-04:00

I haven't really fallen off the edge of the Earth! I am still here.
Now, where to start?

Last month, Steve took Brian and his birth-brother, De'Anthony, to State wrestling. Bri lost both matches and came home. He says he had fun and wants to go again.
He then debated and debated between school track and a community baseball program. The girls convinced him to do track again. He's had several meets and has done well. He is running the 100 and 200 and has tried the long jump and high jump. He usually gets first place in the 100 and 200 and then a 2nd or 3rd in the field event. He is aiming to break some school records. I think he's within .2 seconds on the 100 meter dash!

I took Zack to karate testing the day of the 'blizzard' here in Cinci. We got about 14 inches over a couple of days. Most stores were closed, all school activities were cancelled, etc. But we went to testing anyway. AND HE GOT HIS SECOND DEGREE BLACK BELT!!! His picture was up on the school's site but it has probably been replaced with this month's testers.
Zack has also gotten back to driver training. We had to renew his temps (again) and then the school had to get permission from Columbus for him to pick up where he left off (state guidelines say he is supposed to finish within 6 months of starting but...) so I didn't have to sign him up and pay all over again. He's been doing much better this year. Maybe by the end of school I can stop being his taxi driver!
And in school, Zack has been continuing with his Digital Media Arts and took a trip to Sinclair Community College. He has done some placement testing and has been accepted to start classes. (How does that work if he's only a junior in high school?!?!?) Sinclair is supposed to be one of the better community colleges, it is who offered the digital media arts satelite program at school, and they are the ones that give scholarships for completing the digital media arts program. Zack insists that is what he wants to do and where he wants to go so I guess I better not argue too much!

As a family, we have switched churches and some of us have gotten involved in Sunday School classes again. Steve and I are attending one that is currently studying Thesselonians and Brian has gotten involved in the Middle School group (their middle school goes through 8th grade and then they move up to the high school group, no 'junior high') but I haven't been able to get Zack to attend on any regular basis. He is still quite resistant to the whole idea. He did not have a good experience at our last church and then his father passed. He is pretty much convinced that God does not exist right about now. I am hoping and praying he can work through it and get back to church soon.
Steve and I are also participating in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University through this new church. We definitely need to join forces and get our finances under control! It's pretty much common sense and I have done a lot of it before but now we are working together and working on common goals. Even though we are still beginning, I feel more at ease already!

On the homefront, our water heater tried to blow it's top a couple of weekends ago. I called my brother up in MI and he walked us through diagnosing it. One of the thermostats was stuck and it was just a-cooking away! The relief valve worked so it was able to vent itself all over the floor insteading of launching itself into space.
The same day, I had turned off and opened the 'beer fridge' in the basement because it was frozen solid and hadn't been used in a while. I did not put any towels down. We had a cold puddle on one side and a hot puddle on the other side! What timing!
Last year Steve ordered a tankless water heater from his brother. It was still waiting to be installed. We had gotten a couple of starter quotes on labor from an electrician and a plumber. Ouch! They'd cost more than the unit itself!!
Tom and I played a little phone tag last week until we finally caught up with each other Wednesday night. He asked whether I knew that I was having company this weekend?!?!? He and his wife, Kim, and Dad and his wife, Susan, came down from MI and installed the tankless yesterday. We have endless hot water now! The supplies were a tad expensive (they had to run three new 40 amp circuits for this beast and that wire was over $1/foot itself! And don't forget the copper tubing!!) 1 project done.
Last night, Steve and I went to see Chonda Pierce in her Staying Alive Laughing show. The men were definitely outnumbered but Steve seemed to enjoy himself. We laughed, I cried, I'm glad I finally got to see her...

Oh well, it's a work night so I should get myself off to bed. Morning is on it's way!!

Zack's digital media

2008-02-17T16:23:00.002-05:00

Zack has been taking a 2 credit Digital Media class this year (and has registered for next year's version, too) and has been doing quite well. One of their group projects was to make a movie. They wrote, acted/improvised, filmed, and edited. Beginning to end. The Kings students took 6 of 10 spots at the local Business Professionals of America competition and then Zack's group took 4th for production at the district level! Congrats Zack!

Brian's wrestling

2008-02-17T16:09:00.004-05:00

From the Kings' site:

This year the Kings Junior High Wrestling Team captured the Cardinal Division Championship soundly defeating both Wilmington and Little Miami. Placing for the Kings Knights were:

Paul R, 122 lbs - third place
Jason D, 128 lbs - fifth place
Tyler R, 134 lbs - sixth place
Brian H, 142 lbs - fourth place
Brady V, 150 lbs - third place
John M, 160 lbs - fourth place
Eric S, 172 lbs - third place
Garrett C, 205 lbs - fourth place
Trevor S, hvy - second place
The team also had strong performances from Parker P and Tucker O.

The KJH Wrestling Team is coached by Tim Guilfoyle and Joe Woodall.

Steve signed B up for district wrestling this weekend. He weighed in last night and was to be there ready to go at 9 am this morning. Steve and I got up and were getting ready to go when Brian informed me that I am his 'bad luck charm' and didn't want me to go!!
I've gotten periodic updates from Steve during the day. There are 14 kids in his weightclass but they have the brackets set for 32 giving him byes in his first 2 rounds. He was pinned in his first real match and then pinned his next opponent. His third round brought another loss so he has one more to go to determine 5th/6th place. The top 6 places go on to states so I guess there is a trip to OU in his future. I wonder if I get to go?

What kind of English?!?!?

2008-02-17T16:03:00.003-05:00

Your Linguistic Profile:

65% General American English

25% Yankee

5% Dixie

0% Midwestern

0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

General english = OK
Yankee - I understand (NJ and CT afterall!)
Dixie?!?!?!? What?!?!?!?
and no midwestern or upper midwestern? What happened to my MI days?
(and it only adds up to 95%. What's the other 5?)

Stitch Marker Exchange

2008-01-24T20:31:00.000-05:00

I signed up tp take part in the latest round of the Stitch Marker Exchange. I decided to try 2 partners for my first time out. I would make and send 2 sets and receive 2 sets. Sounded simple enough (and fun!). Then I started worrying about what to do! I am such a worrier... I made quite a few sets and then had some of my knitting pals help me choose which to send. They were to be mailed by 1/15 but by the time I got to the post office, they were closed. I went the following day and made it! 1 set headed of to Angie in England and 1 set to Betty in Hawaii... I hope they make it soon!

I also received 2 sets of beautiful stitch markers, and on the same day (Saturday, January 12th)!
from Melissa...

and from Laurie.

Thank you so much ladies!

Waffle House Mickey

2008-01-24T19:57:00.000-05:00

After knitting Tuesday, Jeff, Beth, and I headed to Waffle House where Beth and I decided to order waffles. Can't tell you why, but the waitress asked if we wanted Mickey Mouse waffles. We both said 'yes.' Who could resist Mickey?!?!?

Are you sick of e-mail forwards?!?!?!?

2008-01-21T20:59:00.000-05:00

This came via e-mail forward but...
here it goes anyway!

For those of you who are sick of getting e-mails that tell you to forward it to at least X number of people in the next 15 minutes so that wonderful things and miracles will happen if you do, or there will be serious consequences if you don't, then you will enjoy this.

This is hilarious! (and it's ABOUT TIME someone did this!)

click here

Meanest Mom on the Planet

2008-01-21T20:42:00.001-05:00

DES MOINES, Iowa — Jane Hambleton has dubbed herself the "meanest mom on the planet."

After finding alcohol in her son's car, she decided to sell the car and share her 19-year-old's misdeed with everyone — by placing an ad in the local newspaper.

The ad reads: "OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."

Hambleton has heard from people besides interested buyers since recently placing the ad in The Des Moines Register.

The 48-year-old from Fort Dodge says she has fielded more than 70 telephone calls from emergency room technicians, nurses, school counselors and even a Georgia man who wanted to congratulate her.

"The ad cost a fortune, but you know what? I'm telling people what happened here," Hambleton says. "I'm not just gonna put the car for resale when there's nothing wrong with it, except the driver made a dumb decision.

"It's overwhelming the number of calls I've gotten from people saying 'Thank you, it's nice to see a responsible parent.' So far there are no calls from anyone saying, 'You're really strict. You're real overboard, lady."'

The only critic is her son, who Hambleton says is "very, very unhappy" with the ad and claims the alcohol was left by a passenger.

Hambleton believes her son but has decided mercy isn't the best policy in this case. She says she set two rules when she bought the car at Thanksgiving: No booze, and always keep it locked.

The car has been sold, but Hambleton says she will continue the ad for another week — just for the feedback.

I love it!! (But I think oshe stole my title!)

Changing plans

2008-01-06T21:30:00.000-05:00

The sweater of 2 posts ago has undergone a slight change.
Although both Fleece Artist yarns had the same blue in them, together they just weren't quite doing it for me. And since the one was thinner, I had to knit on smaller needles with 1/3 more stitches, and I was going through it quickly. I was worried about running out of yarn.
Tia came to OH this weekend and I was able to catch up with her for a bit at the yarn store yesterday. She was picking out yarn for Eric's sweater and I looked for a replacement. After trying a number of different colors and yarns, a Cascade 220 blue was chosen. It was similar to the Fleece Artist but came in higher quantities. I was all set to go. Then....
I ended up stumbling over 3 hanks of Malabrigo in a beautiful deep blue-green called Tuareg. It's not really a color in the blue-green Fleece Artist but it definitely 'flows better' (that's Steve's term) so today I frogged the 6" of cable rib I had done on the 2 sleeves with the Fleece Artist. I rewound the old and wound up 2 of the Malabrigo and away I went. I've got the 6" redone. Not sure how much more I'll do on the sleeves (I tend to wear shorter sleeves or I push them up and out of the way) and then I have the bottom of the body followed by the button band.

I haven't worked on the Uptown Boot Socks any more. I really think they're going to get ripped out.
I did finally settle on a needle for Mermaid Socks. I swatched so many times and never liked the way it came out. This time, I just went with it on US1 again and this time it was OK. I cast on Friday night and worked the entire cuff yesterday. This morning I turned the heel. And then tried it on. It goes on, but it's 'snug' shall we say?!?! And so it pulls the patterning out so much that it loses the effect. Do I rip that one too????
Maybe it's just time to do my Jaywalkers out of some purple Lorna's Laces I got from Merlin the Cat Yarns a few months ago....

On a fun, non-knitting note, It was Steve's birthday yesterday (41). We went to the Funny Bone comedy club down at Newport on the Levy. We went once before and had a great time. The emcee/performer was ok. Then it was on to a guy from Cleveland. He had us rolling, especially with the comparisons between the Browns and the Bengals! And then the headliner: Finesse Mitchell. He was on Saturday Night Live from '03-'06, has a book out, and is in the upcoming movie, Mad Money. He was great! Before we knew it, time was up. We go to the early show to avoid the smoking so they can't run over and still be able to get ready for the next round. If you get a chance to see him, do it!

So close...

2008-01-06T21:20:00.000-05:00

School was supposed to reopen Wednesday 1/2 but it snowed. There was 4" on the car when I left for work. I drove the old car since it's a stick and I had no problems. Steve stayed home with the boys.
Thursday was cold and some of the salt-melted snow had refrozen as ice but we all headed out to school and work anyway.
Friday brought a wrestling match for Brian after school. And weather finally did not get in the way!!
He was up 24-11 in the 3rd round with only 15.7 seconds left. Then he got pinned.
He handled it well. And sometimes a loss is a good learning thing.
He's got 3 big all day meets the next three Saturdays and a couple of smaller duals after school (some of the rescheduled meets from December snow days) before the end of the season/end of January. Busy, busy...
Good luck Bri!

Drive-By Fiber Fun

2008-01-01T22:02:00.001-05:00

My current attempt at socks: Uptown boot Socks in Pace. Not sure I like the way it's coming out tho... I may frog and try something else...

2 skeins of Sea Silk from Steve for Christmas. Is there a lace shawl or stole in my future?!?!?

My first pair of Galaxy socks. 3x1 rib, US 1, Magic Loop, 2 at once, short row garter stitch heel and toe. And it turns out I like the way the inside looks, too (sock on the right) so I may do 1x3 rib on a future pair...

New stash, possibly for Fawkes socks...
Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in 'Flames' colorway.

Tried this Hanauma Bay Socks pattern before with a different yarn. Not the right combo. Was also agonizing over what to make with this yarn from Bob when he went to Italy. It is Sesia Mistral Baby, 100% fine merino. Now, this is a combination! Sooooo soft - thanks Bob!

Let it snow!! He was originally supposed to be a Christmas gift but... I just couldn't part with Pete - he's too cute!

More yarn stash, Araucania Ranco in green and red from Chile....

Bennet's wife wanted new house socks for Christmas. He wanted red and green and lacey and warm. Hmmmmm....
Toe-to-Cuff Lace Rib socks in Lion Wool. Hope she likes them!

1 skein of Fleece Artist Blue Faced Leicester Aran (blue-green) and 1 skein of Fleece Artist Blue Faced Leicester DK (blue) from Steve for my birthday and Christmas. That is now being turned into:

Mr Greenjeans from Knitty.com
A top-down pattern so I can work till I run out of yarn!
The top is the Aran worked on size 8 US, using the size M stitchcount. I worked the body to the point where it changed to the cable rib pattern. Clipped the yarn and then used both ends of the remaining yarn to work both sleeves at once. And I used every inch!
For the cable rib section, I added the DK, switched to size 7 US needles, and the stitchcount for the size L.
I am working the sleeves first (the cable ribs start higher on mine than the pattern because of the limits of the blue-green) and then will work the body and the button band with the remaining blue DK. I think it will work!

Trying to catch my breath

2007-12-27T20:36:00.000-05:00

I've been a baaaaaaaddddd blogger! It's been weeks!
Regular life and trying to get ready for all our Christmases and time has flown by.

Dad and Susan and her grand-daughter came down from MI a couple of weeks ago. I moved down here seven and a half years ago and this was his first time seeing our place. Had to get it cleaned up and semi-presentable. Turns out the basement hadn't been really cleaned up since the dishwasher fiasco 3+ years ago.

(I was too cheap to pay Sears to install a dishwasher. We were scheduled to be the first delivery of the morning so I pulled the old one out the night before. Disconnected the lines and all. Just needed a new dishwasher to put in it's place and they could haul the old away. We originally had the water turned off but then decided to try plugging the line so we didn't have to head up/down 2 flights of stairs to turn the water on for showers or flushing during the night. I used a tapered, rubber point protector out of my knitting stash and shoved it in the end of the line. I then duct-taped the daylights out of it so it wouldn't blow out. We turned the water on and watched. All was good so we went to bed.

Then it blew.

And ran all night long.

Luckily there is a drain the floor downstairs. We shut the water off and mopped up. Fans helped dry the drywall in the ceiling. We had a mess! But I didn't have to pay Sears the $50 or $60 for a simple dishwasher installation.... Aren't I a smart one?!?!?
Steve's family came up from SC over Thanksgiving 04 and, among other projects, screwed the drywall back up, scraped the old texture off, retaped, and retexturized the whole thing. They also installed some recessed lights and used a bit more of the never-ending 5 gallon pail of yellow paint on the old, ugly paneling. Major improvement!! We just never finished cleaning up. Till this month.)

We even managed to find a bound 9x12 broadloom rug for $119 (Harry's Corner) since it's only painted concrete at this point and then get the Christmas tree put up before they arrived. It was good to see them and spend some time together. One of these years we're going to have to head up their way...

Last weekend we headed to Steve's family in SC. We hit the road after I got off work Friday, got in about 2:30 am Saturday, and returned Sunday. The boys had gone down over the summer but I hadn't been since... I'm not even sure when. Lots of family, close and distant, and some I'm not sure are even technically family. Always more kids around than I can keep track of. Couldn't get everyone together in the living room for the assorted family pictures so we headed out to the front yard. Need to do more visiting there, too. Christmas #2 done.

Monday was a shopping day for me. I don't do malls or crowds well. I also don't appreciate folks who ding my car up in the parking lot! Red spots/gouges on my 07 navy blue Ian the Ion. Argh and a Merry Christmas to you, too!

Tuesday = Christmas #3.

Wednesday I was back at work (Steve's off all week)and made some more attempts at shopping in preparation for this weekend. And knitting group was rescheduled from our usual Tuesday to Wednesday. I needed my fix big time and we had a few people make it that had been missing for a while. A good night with good friends.
Brian headed off to his brother's/sisters'/foster mom's for a couple of days. Guess he won't be making it to wrestling practice!
Zack has already 'beaten' both Halo 2 and 3 on the new Xbox 360 they got. Don't his thumbs ever get tired?!?!?

(Today I found another couple of gifts for this weekend and I picked up my order from My GirlFriend's Kitchen - my kind of cooking!! Also made it to the chiropractor in preparation for the hours in the car. Now I am parked in front of the tube and 'puter. Updated my blog list and added logos for a couple of swaps I'm Taking part in. I missed posting about a couple of projects I completed - gotta find the camera and the pics to post. The 'list' for that has been updated also.

Christmas #4: It was looking like we were leaving for IL and my Mom's and sister's after I got off work tomorrow but we're gonna sleep here and then leave early Saturday morning. With another Sunday return.
And I get to work again on Monday, off Tuesday.

I think I've used up my Christmas allotment for a while. I may have to take any future ones off the 'to do' list. What do you think?

Harry Potter Nicknames

2007-12-26T09:49:00.000-05:00

just in case we haven't had enough in the quiz department...

Who are you?!?!?

Snow Days

2007-12-09T19:24:00.000-05:00

Wednesday brought 1" of snow and the boys got the day off. Steve and I went to work as normal.
Friday was our next 'winter storm.' 2 hour delay was announced at 5:12 a.m. Steve left for work at 6:40(when the boys would have normally left for the bus) and the roads were only wet.
Ugh! I want real winter and people who can deal!!

Monk

2007-12-09T19:14:00.000-05:00

He's my hero!! I'm almost to the point of putting the show on the calendar and scheduling around it.
Friday was his Christmas show (he shot 'Santa') and January brings new episodes. Can't wait.
In the meantime, I have finished reading Mr. Monk and the Two Assistants.
Sharona came back so he had her and Natalie battling for the job while solving several seemingly unrelated cases.
Next up is Mr. Monk in Outer Space. He wears a space suit in LA, what does he need to go to outer space for?!?!? Guess I'll have to read and find out.
They aren't literary masterpieces but they are good, clean, fun reading.

Quick Knits

2007-12-09T18:10:00.000-05:00

Friday night's knitting from stash. Tudora from Knitty out of Cascade 220 color 5016 (a pretty pink with a hint of blue). A collar to keep my neck warm (ever since the accident in 4/2004, cold causes sharp pain and spasms so scarves, turtlenecks, etc are required) that won't get tangled in stuff at work!
Yesterday's take-along knitting (to the ferguson Christmas party!?!?). The color in the pic is way off - they are really a soft range of pastel pinks, peach, purples. 1 ball of di.ve Teseo, 98 yards, 55% wool/45% microfiber makes 2!! A pattern from a ballband of something I bought several years ago and have since made significant adaptations to. Will probably be given away...
A pound of World's Finest chocolate from the P&G Christmas box - all gone now.
Finally done!! Another significantly reworked pattern and lousy picture...
And the first of how many pairs??? 64 sts, , US1, 3x1 rib, garter stitch short row heel

Citizenship

2007-12-02T21:18:00.000-05:00

Brian has brought home the Citizenship Award for the 8th grade, 1st quarter!
During his study hall, he heads to the Special Needs classroom and helps out. From the group involved, they have also created 'Partners Club,' of which Brian is President. Partners Club is planning a party/fundraiser the Thursday before Christmas. They are seeing if they can get a local celebrity or two (also pronounced 'Bengal') to come. Apparently, a couple of the other partners' parents know or work with Bengals.
Bri's teachers all comment on how well he is doing and what a knack he has for it. He even is thinking of becoming a Special Ed teacher.
Way to go Bri!!!

Football updates

2007-12-02T17:13:00.000-05:00

Steve is now happy. Nebraska has been floundering and backsliding for several years, with this one being the worst in decades. They fired their athletic director and hired their beloved old/winning coach, Tom Osborne. After their last game (a blown lead for another loss), he then finally fired Bill Callahan. Rumors have been flying.
They are currently having a press conference announcing their new head coach, Bo Pelini. He used to be defensive coach at Nebraska in 2003. Steve thought he should have been head coach instead of hiring Callahan after the '03 season. Now he gets what he's wanted for the past 4 years. And there's only one way to head for the Huskers - UP!

There were also rumors that Randy Edsall was leaving UConn to head to Georgia but...
He told his team at this morning's team banquet that he's staying at UConn!
I recently read about how he landed at UConn. He accepted the job before he even saw campus and it's lack of facilities. He says that had he seen it, he would not have come. Can't say I blame him! But he has gotten a new field and world-class facilities and has developed the program into a competitor. With WV's loss yesterday, we managed to tie them for Big East Champs!! And we are headed to the Meineke Car Care Bowl December 29th. If I hadn't already commited to family in IL, I'd probably be planning a trip in the other direction to see my Huskies!

(Now, what's up with Calhoun's basketball team?? Not even ranked?!?!?)

rainy days

2007-12-02T15:52:00.000-05:00

equals warm fuzzy days...
(but not good picture days - sorry!)

finished knitting my Shimmer socks last week, didn't work in the ends till yesterday (Great Feats by dyepot.com)

450m of Fleece Artist Hand Dyed Blue Face Leicester, from Steve/Romni Wools in Toronto for my birthday last week

Kid Aran and Roving for Thrumming with pattern on the band, also from Steve/Romni for my birthday

8 balls of Regia Galaxy yarn, from Steve/Romni this week.
Steve said he spoke with 3 different women while in the store. They all said the same thing: It was their 1st time there, it's the largest yarn store they'd ever seen, they all thought they'd died and gone to heaven...
Road trip anyone?!?!?!?

Fallen off the earth?

2007-11-25T21:18:00.001-05:00

Not really. Much as I might want to.
(let me apologize in advance for my venting...)

Steve had to go to Toronto last week for work. He left at lunchtime Sunday with a probable return of sometime Saturday. And, yes, he had to work Thanksgiving.
He was up there last month for the Canadian Thanksgiving and had to rework his schedule so they could have the day off. Now that the shoe was on the other foot, he was still the one that had to rework his schedule. They were ging to work all week, even if it was for an American company that would be closed for a holiday. And then, to top it all off, not all the machinery was there so there were delays getting it in and running. And some never did get going. He was not able to do what he was there to do. He came home Friday evening but will have to go back this week.

Brian went to his foster mom's and brother's on Thursday. Another sister is also living there now. And they chat with a couple other sibs that are in the area and occassionally visit, too. It's good for him to keep up with family. He came back saying he has a cousin (unknown name) that plays on the Miami Dolphins. Hmmm.... maybe there is really something to this whole football thing?!?!?

Friday was just me and Zack. He's always reading and had been complaining that he was out of Star Wars books. Half Price Books was supposed to be giving away gift cards and tote bags to the first 100 customers, beginning at 7 a.m. By the time I got Zack up and out the door, we got there about 8:30. I could not imagine a used book store as being a popular destination first thing on Black Friday but apparently it was. Zack got all the Star Wars books they had that he hadn't read yet. 4 of them. He's going to have to supplement with full price books at Barnes & Noble and Borders and such.

I want the boys to switch bedrooms and beds. Kind of. Brian's room has a much larger closet than Zack's but he hides stuff that he should not even have. Zack is like his mother, a pack-rat, and does not have a large enough closet to properly put things away. I wanted to get them switched this weekend. No cooperation/help from the rest of the folks here so it still isn't done.
Zack currently has a futon/bunk but only sleeps on one side of the bottom. It takes up way too much space in his mess of a room. Brian had a loft bed (still in the garage) that he would not climb up in either, especially once he broke his leg. Brian has his brother and friends over occassionally. He could use the futon/bunk right where it is once they switch rooms. That means Zack needs a bed for the other room (Brian's mattress is currently on the floor, awaiting a frame). Zack and I went from Half Price to Furniture Fair (they had a sale going, too) but he did not like anything. Figures. He's fighting this whole thing as much as he can.
Just like he's not getting his father's stuff out of the bathroom and put away - it's been seven months!!

(I wanted to get some of the basement cleaned out and rearranged, too. Nope, didn't get that done either.)

I really don't like crowds and malls and all that so we headed from the furniture store to the grocery store. Not too many people at the grocery store the day after Thanksgiving! $232 (after $158 in store and coupon savings) later and I still had a list going of what we needed. Boys!!

I did do some knitting later on. I just have to weave ends and I will have.....
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another pair of socks.
These took some reknitting (almost half a sock worth) but I like the finished product better. Gotta get some pics.
And when I get those pics, I'll also have to get some of what Steve brought back from Romni Wool (LYS in Toronto that he found). He picked out yarn all on his own!! He said the place was absolutely huge. Their site says 6000 square feet. Can I go, too????
He even remembered that the Harlot is up there and thought about trying to find her... She probably appreciates that he didn't!

As I expected, UConn lost to West Virgina. I just did not expect it to be as bloody as it was. 21-66. Ouch! But we finished #2 in the Big East behind WV. And we are headed to either the Gator Bowl or the Sun Bowl. (Unlike NE that's staying home this year.)

Did manage to get some laundry done and some bills/paperwork somewhat caught up. Only after I had a complete meltdown. Steve works and then sits in the recliner 'cuz he works and makes the money.' Well, I work, too. And I have basically all the responsibility for everything around the house, too. How is that fair?
And I've asked for help.
And I've screamed for help.
And I've cried for help.

And I get ignored.

I ask the boys to do something,

and they walk away and ignore me.
Steve says we'll have to talk about it another time.

Later, noone remembers me even saying anything. Unless, of course, I had a screaming fit. Then I'm just a witch (with a capital B).
Either way, it's not working.

I must come up with a plan....

waffles vs. spaghetti?!?!?

2007-11-18T22:18:00.000-05:00

Zack saw the truck sweater on the kitchen floor, where I had taken the picture of it. He asked if it was the same one I made for him when he was little.
Nope, making another.
Then I showed him the pic from the previous post.
He informed me that it looks like the way girls think. He says guys have waffles for brains and girls have spaghetti. Guys compartmentalize and nothing crosses over from section to section while girls just have a big ol' jumbled mess. 'That's what they learned in health class.'
Thanks public schools!

Ends...

2007-11-18T22:10:00.001-05:00

I knit and knit yesterday, bleary-eyed and all. But, this is what I have to show for it:

Ends and more ends.
Gotta finish them off,
attach the sleeves,
add the neckband and button bands,
add buttons and send the trucks on their way...

(It looks so small!)

Old Connecticut

2007-11-18T21:44:00.000-05:00

(Alma Mater)

Once more as we gather today,
to sing our Alma Mater's Praise,
and join in the fellowship strong,
which inspires our college days,
we're backing our men in the strife,
cheering them to victory!
And pledge anew
to Old Connecticut,
our steadfast spirit of loyalty.

Connecticut, Connecticut
Thy sons and daughters true.
Unite, to honor thy name,
Our fairest White and Blue.

That should probably do for the football season. We beat Syracuse 30-7 yesterday for the first 7-0 home record in UConn history.
And the first 7-0 home record in Big East history!
It's our first 9 win season since who only knows when.
We are 9-2 right now, with West Virginia at WV next weekend. One very tall order! It's probably not impossible, just very unlikey. 9-3 ain't too shabby for a school that just joined the Big East in '04 and is still figuring out what that whole defective, pointy ball thing is about - it doesn't bounce like a regular basketball!
A-bowling we go! (We have only been to 1 bowl game up till now. And we won the '04 Motor City Bowl. The only school to win in their first bowl appearance.)

And on the soccer field:
STORRS, Conn. (November 18, 2007) – Dori Arad (Hahotrim, Israel) scored two goals as the No. 2 nationally-ranked University of Connecticut men's soccer team captured the 2007 BIG EAST Championship title with a 2-0 win over Notre Dame at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. This is the conference-leading seventh BIG EAST Tournament title for the Huskies and the third in the last four years.
NEWTON, Mass. (November 18, 2007) - The University of Connecticut women's soccer team defeated Wake Forest Sunday 1-0 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to advance to the sweet sixteen for the first time since 2004. The Huskies improve to 13-5-2 on the season.

Men's basketball is currently 5-1 with our only loss being to #3 Memphis:
NEW YORK (November 16, 2007) - Tournament Most Valuable Player Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 33 points and freshman Derrick Rose added 24 more as third-ranked Memphis defeated the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team, 81-70, Friday evening in the championship game of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic before a crowd of 8,895 at Madison Square Garden.
And women's:
STORRS, Conn. (November 14, 2007) - Freshman Maya Moore (Lawrenceville, Ga.) came off the bench to score 31 points, 22 of which came in the first half, as the No. 2/2 University of Connecticut women’s basketball team defeated Holy Cross 91-36 on Wednesday evening at Gampel Pavilion.

Identity theft, sanity theft, ...or both?

2007-11-15T21:18:00.000-05:00

I went down to my credit union this afternoon to activate my ATM card and open a checking account to go with the savings. As part of the process to approve someone for a checking account, they get a report from ChexSystems. This is sort of like a credit report but has more info on day-to-day stuff like checking accounts.
I got rejected because something had been unpaid?!?!?!
She also pulled my regular credit report and found I have a higher than average score.
I have copies of both. The Equifax report all looks like my info. Nothing weird on my charge statements either.
The ChexSystems report has my social belonging to Michael J. Dell of Danielson, Connecticut. Last I checked, I am not a guy. And I have not had a Bank of Boston account closed for 'account abuse.' They had to write off all of $33.00 in 2003 but they made sure to report it!
There is an 800 number at the bottom of the report 'for specific questions about the results.' I called.
I got a message that all calls could be monitored yada-yada... She sounded Indian but I could understand her pretty well. Then the call was picked up by the next available representative. A little tougher to understand. I'm thinking the whole place is overseas. He asks for some sort of account ID or something. I had to ask him to repeat himself to make it out. Apparently that is the phone number for the member businesses to call. He says I have to call a different phone #. I write it down and dial.
Phone mail H*LL. I had 3 options for ways to request a report and 1 option if I was calling on behalf of someone else. I try pressing 0 but that is not a valid option, please try again. I tried the 4th option and got a recording about all the info they would need if I wanted to discuss someone else's records. And it sent me back to the main menu. The other 3 options are just recordings on how to go about getting a report.
Back into the credit union. They did not believe me but then remembered there was supposed to be another sheet with contact info. Couldn't find it, call the main branch to have it faxed. It finally comes through. Same phone number.
They tried it. Yup, phone mail H*LL.
She tried the yellow pages and Google. Hard to find much of anything on this company but then did manage to come up with a page with the same phone number. Again.
They agree it's not good to be relying on a company their customers can't contact.
They suggest contacting Bank of Boston since they are the ones who reported it and would have to request the correction/removal.
Come home, eat dinner, and get back to it...
I try some more online searching. They are part of eFunds and investigativeproffesionals.com but still no contact info for us 'little people.' If I were a potential business customer, maybe.
Then I try searching for Bank of Boston. I barely remember that they had been bought out/merged a couple of times. I figure the 'net should help. Right. I kind of piece together that they are now part of Bank of America. I call the contact phone # for the Connecticut area. 26 minutes, primarily on hold, but some time trying to explain this to a customer service rep who did not give the best of impressions of the company. And then I get 'disconnected.'
I have my UConn Alumni Association credit card that is now serviced by Bank of America (that whole buy and merge thing again). Pull some of their paperwork and try that phone number. I figure it's probably not the right department but they should be able to direct me. Right. Again.
She did try to help a little but she only has access to current credit card customers. No signs of a Michael J. Dell. And the only thing they show under my social is my UConn card. She transfers me. More hold time. Explain it all again. Still wrong department and no help. Tranfer again. Explain yet again. All anyone can manage to tell me is to contact the main 3 credit reporting agencies. It's not on those! And it came from Bank of Boston (a.k.a. Bank of America). This one tries to tell me they can't access this type of info anymore as it's all been archived and she's never had to do that much work, etc.
Somehow I think this info should be (and probably is) accessible for when Mr. Dell walks back in the door and they have to decide whether to grant him credit and such.
I asked repeatedly who I needed to talk to since she wasn't in the right department either. Transfer again.
This time it was just back to the main menu of phone system H*LL.
Back to square one. Again. Thank you so much for all the help Bank of America!!!
I don't think there's any identity theft as it goes back to 2003 and this is the first it has shown up. It's also not on the main credit reports. But still, it's not right and should be fixed.
How do I prove to them that I am not a man from Danielson Connecticut who abused his Bank of boston account?!?!?

2nd-ing the opinion

2007-11-15T19:31:00.000-05:00

From Neila in MN:

Demonstration of Support
Yesterday the Minnesota State Bar Association held a demonstration of support of the attorneys in Pakistan on the steps of the Minnesota Supreme Court building. I went with my boss, another attorney and a law student. As I stood there freezing because of the gusty winds and occasional snowflake, I realized that my discomfort was very insignificant compared to the discomfort of the attorneys and judges and people of Pakistan. There were several moving speeches given by members of the Minnesota, Hennepin County and Ramsey County Bar Associations. One person read an email from an attorney in Pakistan which almost brought tears to my eyes. Another speaker had just returned from the region and told us of conditions in Pakistan. It may seem a world away from us and it's easy to believe that the conditions there could not happen here. But is that really true? Aren't we seeing our constitution being deconstructed for the benefit or power addiction of a few? Once the rule of law is suppressed, the people have no voice.

Something for ua all to be afraid of...

Flip Flop Football

2007-11-11T21:24:00.001-05:00

UConn lost to UC :(
Nebraska beat Kansas State :)
Ohio State lost :)
The Bungles beat the Ravens :) (Sorry Bri!)
and in the early games today, mostly visiting teams with worse records won?!?!?

I don't understand but...

some knitting pics... finally

2007-11-11T20:51:00.000-05:00

I finished the Father and Son Socks (but for me) about a week ago. Here's the final picture.

And here is my first attempt at November's Sock Down project for Sock Knitters Anonymous. Hanauma Bay socks out of DharmaFey's HufflePuff 1st Year from Neila in HSKS3. It's been frogged. Too Pittsburg Steeler-ish. Maybe Rainbow or Annetrelac for this yarn?? Still deciding...

I started the Dragon scarf from Morehouse Farm. I knit over a foot worth and about a dozen spikes. Then I decided it was too stiff. The gauge was not right. I ripped it all out and started over on larger needles (US 8 instead of the recommended 6-7). I worked the spike bind-offs wiht a size 10.5 dp. I have now knit the entire scarf. It is still a bit stiff and definitely smaller than I expected. And I have almost a whole skein of yarn left. I'm thinking of ripping it again, working it on larger needles, again, and maybe even enlarging the pattern a bit...

Knitting update

2007-11-08T18:07:00.000-05:00

I finished my Father and Son (but really for me, 'Mom') socks. Picture(s) should be coming to this site and to Ravelry one of these days...
I started Ann Norling's Truck Sweater...
I started Hanauma Bay socks with my HSKS3 Hufflepuff yarn. They're coming out a bit too Pittsburg Steeler/Bumble bee-ish so they may get frogged. I'm trying to find a pattern that can work with the yarn and meets the requirements of the November Sock Knitters Anonymous (Ravelry again) project.
And I started Morehouse Merino's Dragon scarf in the red, appropriately named 'Huff.' I am debating whether I'm knitting too tight. The yarn is surprisingly heavy and they say to work on US6-7 needles. I'm thinking 8-9 might be better. I have about a foot (and a dozen spikes) done. Do I rip that, too?
Decisions, decisions...