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!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Mother's Day ceramics from Brian
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!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thank You to all our Veterans!
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).
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).
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
do I really need more socks?!?!?
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!
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!
She adjusted the pattern for the dishcloth in order to use self striping yarn!
TODAY'S POSITIVE THOUGHT
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
does not accentuate the bad. The inferior does the reverse.
-- Confucius (551-479 BC) Chinese Philosopher
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Betty
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...
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...
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??
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??
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
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:
(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:
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Falling off the edge
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!!
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!!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Zack's digital media
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
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?
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?!?!?
Your Linguistic Profile: |
 65% General American English 25% Yankee 5% Dixie 0% Midwestern 0% Upper Midwestern |
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?)
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Stitch Marker Exchange
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!
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
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?!?!?
Monday, January 21, 2008
Are you sick of e-mail forwards?!?!?!?
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
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
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!)
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!)
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Changing plans
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!
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...
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!
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!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Drive-By Fiber Fun
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!
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