tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301004742024-03-13T22:27:28.920-05:00Swim Mom KnitsThirty something wife and mom of two boys who spends all her time at the pool (although not swimming)knitting maniacally.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.comBlogger177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-22097656934447655482007-05-02T14:06:00.000-05:002007-05-02T14:27:55.434-05:00MovingWell, I finally did it. I am moving to typepad. Come see my new home, a work in progress.<br /><br />New home of <a href="http://swimmomknits.typepad.com/swim_mom_knits/">Swim Mom Knits</a>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-36530571423761709852007-05-01T14:59:00.000-05:002007-05-01T15:20:03.652-05:00Where did Monday go? Thanks to two big deadlines and a procrastinating bossman, Monday disappeared before I really even knew it began. Luckily, I knew he was putting off what had to be done so I was prepared for a little overtime and a very busy day. With the weather so nice, my evening was almost entirely spent outside with the boys.<br /><br />Saturday, Nate and I played. We jumped on the trampoline, played frisbee and all kinds of ball and went for a bike ride. Then Ben and Shane got home from swim team. We played some more. Shane's friend James came over that night. I escaped to my room and knitted while they did guy talk. Sunday they got up early and took Ben fishing at my grandparents. Nate was so upset that they went fishing and he didn't get to go. So, I loaded him up and we went fishing. We only managed to catch one fish (didn't get a whole lot of bites either) even though we fished for over three hours. Ben of course caught the most fish, I have never seen anyone as lucky as him. Once when he was a toddler, he put the hook in with no bait and still caught a fish in less than a minute. Anyways, I was hungry so I bribed Nate with food to get him to leave (it works so much easier if he thinks it is his idea) and we went back to the house while the rest of the boys fished more. Then more playing outside.<br /><br />Once the boys got back, Shane loaded Nate up for swim team and left Ben and I at the house. Ben wanted to go on a bike ride, so I agreed. Mistake two of the day. (The first being a lack of sunscreen, I get bad rashes from the sun, so my legs are big rashy messes). My bike still had flat tires so this was my second ride on Ben's bike. My ass is bruised like you couldn't believe. It hurts to sit on my nice comfy office chair. Plus with the fibro, I have barely been able to walk. It is hard to play outside with your kids when you don't want to move because it hurts. (Okay that is all with the whiny). Yesterday, Ben and I went on a bike ride (he loves to ride his bike and we don't allow him to cross the highway without us, that and he doesn't really get to ride that many days with his swim schedule) but Shane had aired back up my bike tires. Much better. I love my granny bike.<br /><br />I nearly finished my scarf while watching Heroes last night. How can there possibly only be three episodes left? I feel a little shortchanged on that but anyways. The scarf is the multidirectional noro scarf. I gotta say that the Noro is endlessly fascinating for me. I was a little concerned because it feels mighty scratchy to me but I don't have a whole lot of issues with it and I love watching the colors change. This scarf will likely go into my gift stash which became surprisingly empty after Christmas last year.<br /><br />The dinosaurs are from a pattern on the X-treme knitting website. The patterns look pretty easy, if I ever start them. I decided this would be my break from the clapotis which I haven't touched in 5 days. Tonight I may have to start back on it. I also plan to block Nate's scarf and the silk scarf if it rains. If it doesn't, well I will probably be outside getting even redder.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-49154794439519824282007-04-27T14:44:00.000-05:002007-04-27T15:07:10.373-05:00Fun with Lights<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RjJWUYB7CmI/AAAAAAAAAEk/dmp1aajCx_c/s1600-h/Nate+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058200239538375266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RjJWUYB7CmI/AAAAAAAAAEk/dmp1aajCx_c/s320/Nate+001.jpg" border="0" /></a>Nate and I spent our evening together last night. We played board games and then Nate asked to play with the Lite-Brite. I agreed that would be okay. So he got it out. He would pick the color and I would punch the holes. Then he would put the pegs in until he was done with a color (he wanted to do a pre-printed sheet). He was so excited the whole time. I was able to knit some in between my duties. We also watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Nate deemed it good music and said he liked the movie. (Of course, he likes Barney so his taste is somewhat suspect). He was so excited when he finished that we had to take a picture.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RjJWUoB7CnI/AAAAAAAAAEs/PO6QR6EPYuU/s1600-h/Nate+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058200243833342578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RjJWUoB7CnI/AAAAAAAAAEs/PO6QR6EPYuU/s320/Nate+006.jpg" border="0" /></a>We tried a self-portrait but apparently I am not very good at taking them. So this was the best we got.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RjJWUoB7CnI/AAAAAAAAAEs/PO6QR6EPYuU/s1600-h/Nate+006.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I did give in and go to the LYS after work. I was going to get some cotton yarn for Nate. He wants dinosaurs. I got him purple, brown and green. They will be the ugliest dinosaurs. We wound the purple last night.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RjJWU4B7CoI/AAAAAAAAAE0/lQ4pzVMX4v8/s1600-h/Nate+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058200248128309890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RjJWU4B7CoI/AAAAAAAAAE0/lQ4pzVMX4v8/s320/Nate+008.jpg" border="0" /></a>I also gave in and got three balls of Noro Kureyeon. (It has more blue and green than the photo would suggest) I am making a scarf with short rows (I don't know the actual pattern). This will go into the Christmas pile for next year. The final expenditure was the book. I had this on my wish list, but couldn't resist when I saw it in person. So many patterns that I would actually make (not that I will ever get around to them but hey I like books). It was a nice little trip and I felt much better after the evening with new yarn. This feels like a pay ahead for the overtime I will likely be working this weekend.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-51118187522363826292007-04-26T15:06:00.000-05:002007-04-26T15:25:40.975-05:00Bike RidesYesterday, Ben finally got his final present for his divisional times. Pokemon Pearl. He got up a half an hour early this morning so he could play before school. Nothing like a video game to motivate him. It has been all Pokemon all the time since they announced the new games. Best yet he and his dad can battle each other.<br /><br />Tuesday, I went on a bike ride with the boys. Bad for me -- my bike had flat tires so I had to ride the bike Ben got for Christmas (which is to big for him). My bike has a nice cushy fat butt seat. Ben's has a little hard seat. So besides hurting from the exercise, I was hurting from that little bitty seat. On the plus side, Nate has finally gotten fast enough on his little bike that we could ride without to much trouble. I hope we can get him off training wheels this summer. He really needs a slightly bigger bike (which we have in the garage. You know, second kid gets all the hand-me-downs). <br /><br />We also played some badminton. Which mainly consisted of me chasing the birdie after Ben had hit it. Nate tried to make it even more interested by throwing footballs and baseballs to me while I was playing with Ben. This was why we ended up on a bike ride.<br /><br />It has been over three weeks since I was last in the LYS and I am really feeling the itch to go. Not that I need anymore yarn or anything else really. Of course, what does need have to do with it? I did start looking at patterns for the Cashsoft I bought last fall. I have four balls in a deep red. I think I want a really pretty scarf, this is for me, any suggestions?<br /><br />Nate and I were looking at patterns last night and he told me he wanted one of every pattern he found in the book we were looking at. He was somewhat disappointed when I told him that wasn't something I would do for him. He got all snugly with me when I got home (girls' night out). We won't have to many more years left before my snuggle level will go way down.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-77514743591141469112007-04-24T14:40:00.000-05:002007-04-24T14:58:49.152-05:00Rambling<div>I spent the evening cleaning. First I had to shovel out my car. Talk about gross. The boys had spilled all kinds of snacks in the back. I am surprised the vacuum didn't give up in protest. Seriously, there was goldfish, trailmix, nerds and I am afraid to know what else. I took everything out of the car and a bag of trash (mostly from the back). Then wiped down the inside and vacuumed. Nate even helped me for a bit. Now I just need to wash the outside. I keep putting it off because there is rain in the forecast. Plus I park under a maple tree. Which of course means every morning there is sap all over my car.<br /><br />After the car, I cooked supper. Stunned my husband since I don't cook real meals very often. This has more to do with a serious lack of desire to cook more than a lack of talent (although we could have a lengthy discussion about my kitchen disasters, they are legendary in my family). Then I had to fold the laundry that Shane washed for me while I was sick but of course he didn't fold it (that's okay because I don't touch the dishes). I had asked him to mop the floor in the kitchen, but realized he wasn't going to do it until I was ready to sleep so I started it. Why do people do that? By the time I am doing something myself after I asked Shane to do it, he should just stand back and let me finish because I am ticked. Anyways, I switched to cleaning up the living room and vacuuming the floors. White carpets + black puppy = disgusting carpets. Good thing he is so cute.<br /><br />I spent my tv time knitting my square which I am getting gauge on but is turning out much smaller than it is supposed to. I guess I will see how it turns out. But I am terribly lame with no pictures of knitting content. I will distract you with photos of Nate in his dress clothes.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/Ri5gD3Cv5YI/AAAAAAAAAEc/6nz7hXoTFC8/s1600-h/Josh%27s+Wedding+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057085051014997378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/Ri5gD3Cv5YI/AAAAAAAAAEc/6nz7hXoTFC8/s320/Josh%27s+Wedding+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>That is Nate's camera. I think all the kids at the wedding took pictures with it at some point during the wedding. Mostly, I had picture of various family member's nose hairs, the floors and ceilings. I ended up taking some pictures on it. I really need to invest in a new camera.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/Ri5gDnCv5XI/AAAAAAAAAEU/PI_GJ7XGbus/s1600-h/Josh%27s+Wedding+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057085046720030066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/Ri5gDnCv5XI/AAAAAAAAAEU/PI_GJ7XGbus/s320/Josh%27s+Wedding+007.jpg" border="0" /></a>Nate came into my room this morning after Shane had left but apparently didn't see me in bed. I heard him crying in his room. He was upset because Daddy wasn't there and he didn't know where I was. Poor guy just doesn't wake up very easy. He came in a slept with me for the rest of our morning.</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-65901477176010511232007-04-23T15:22:00.000-05:002007-04-23T15:29:39.278-05:00Sleepover SuccessBen's first sleepover was a complete success. He had a great time and came home exhausted. Then he got to go to swim practice. He slept on the way to grandma's that night. Unfortunately, I left work Friday with a huge migraine which did not leave me alone until Saturday. Shane took care of the boys both days without a whole lot of help from me. After he dropped the boys of at my mom's he went to hear his cousin's band while I sat at home with the dog. I couldn't even knit I felt so bad. I did manage to watch a couple of B rated flicks on my cable until it died in the middle of the second movie (which was definately not worth watching second time).<br /><br />Sunday, we met my parents at my Great-Aunt's house to get the boys. They were having a little lunch to celebrate my Aunt moving to her new house and starting her new job in a whole different town. Nate was playing with my Great-Aunt's husband, G. G is easily 85 (maybe more, I haven't ever asked). Nate and G would play and then G would come in and nap for 20 minutes and then they would go back out and take a walk and then nap. It was incredibly amusing. The funniest was watching them play hide and seek. Even their neighbors watched that. During naptimes, Nate entertained all the rest of the adults.<br /><br />Hopefully, I will have some knitting to show soon. I have a mitered square mostly finished and still need to block my silk scarf. I am thinking tonight will be cleaning the car and rummage sale work since I missed out on that this weekend.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-20304834405140777092007-04-19T15:27:00.000-05:002007-04-19T15:38:27.764-05:00First SleepoverBen has his first with friend sleepover scheduled for tomorrow. He stays with relatives all the time, but this will be the first time with a friend. He is so excited he talks about it constantly.<br /><br />Last night, I brought home some poster paints for the boys. Nate had been painting with watercolors, but they just don't give the pretty colors very easily. He must have painted six pictures last night. The final one, which he gave to the sitter, was a tornado about to eat flowers. I think he was trying to mimic a painting Ben was making with a pond and flowers, but when he described the picture he decided it was a tornado. I should have bought two sets of paint though. Ben is constantly complaining because Nate mixes the colors when he doesn't get his brush clean (which is pretty much every time he switches colors) and while I think they can get along okay with one set, I am pretty much with Ben on this one. It would irritate me terribly to have my paints mixed when I don't want them to be.<br /><br />I picked up Ben's sweater again last night. I had worked on the Clapotis for around an hour and needed a break. It's a little dull and I am switching between two balls because the colors were so different. I am half-way done with Ben's second sleeve, then I will have the seaming and hood to do. I hope it will still fit next year. Sometime this weekend, I am going to weave the ends in on the silk scarf, wash it and block it on my new blocking board. It has been patiently waiting for some use (although Nate claims it is a gameboard).Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-2545025746613226772007-04-18T13:55:00.000-05:002007-04-18T15:25:35.245-05:00I was hiding my head in the sand.Yesterday, I was hiding my head in the dirt. When really bad things happen in the world, I have to just shut down for awhile and regroup. In this particular case, that meant tuning out of all media coverage. So I stuck my head into the ground and pretended it wasn't happening. This involved mindless DVDs and playing Dora dominos. <br /><br />My free time was nice. (There are always advantages to letting my husband have his fun time. Guilt- his anyways, I don't ask for this when I always leads to mommy time.) I read some, did some laundry and napped. When the boys got home, Nate had to tell me all about what they did. Ben wanted to leave to play with his friends.<br /><br />I have been working on my mom's clapotis. I have a month and a half to finish it. This may require more will power than I typically manage in staying with one project. I am nearly done with the increase section which has always been a little boring for me.<br /><br />Last, it turns out that I am allergic to the chemical in the mothproofing of the yarn. So, I have two skeins of Lamb's Pride Bulky, one orange (slightly used I started a hat and frogged it) and one teal. I would love to give these to someone who could make charity projects out of them. I originally bought them with the intention of making Dulaan projects, but if you have a charity you knit for that works for me to. If you want 'em, just leave a comment. First commenter who wants them, gets them.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-56077021989622885202007-04-16T15:06:00.000-05:002007-04-16T15:34:01.481-05:00Weekend AwayThe lack of posting on Friday was thanks to the nice bossman who allowed me to go home an hour early to that I could travel to the otherside of the state for a wedding. I hadn't bothered to check and see how far it was to this particular town and was a little stunned to realize it would take at least 4 hours to get there. So we decided to go early (I didn't want to run into bad weather on the way to the wedding the next day).<br /><br />The wedding was nice. My husband's family is catholic some more so than others. This particular couple did the full-blown catholic ceremony. Nate asked when it would be over very loudly at one point. Thankfully they are the type that understand kids so it was laughed about.<br /><br />Everyone proceeded to the reception where my husband and a goodly number of his relatives got completely silly (way to much alcohol). But there was a band and good dancing. The boys went back to the hotel with some relatives so that they could swim with their cousins. I went back to pick them and my nieces up for the night so that my husband and SIL/BIL could go to the bars with a group of already drunk people. (like I wanted to walk to the bars at 11:30 in my dress and heels. I was perfectly happy going to get the kids. Although getting to sleep was another story). Then one of the groomsmen was so drunk that he walked out of the bar without informing anyone (apparently he wanders when drunk) so there was a frantic search culminating with me being woken up at 2 in the morning. (And really out of all the family at the hotel mine would likely have been the last room he would have come to. So why the drunks all thought I would know if he was back is beyond me). He arrived at the hotel, apparently he walked from the bar to the hotel and all was right with the world so I went back to sleep.<br /><br />The next morning I got to enjoy all the rather hungover people at breakfast. There is nothing better than being clear headed around a bunch of people who imbibed to much. Unfortunately, the boys were exhausted and Nate had a meltdown before we left. He wanted to live at the hotel. I think I would be willing to do that except for the cost. All three boys were beyond cranky yesterday and I was glad to be home.<br /><br />Tonight as payment for my labors (dealing with the drunk, tired and cranky) I get alone time while the boys go out to eat.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-8196824823667735412007-04-12T15:11:00.000-05:002007-04-12T15:31:02.897-05:00In which I must face realityI had my checkup with the rheumatologist on Monday of this week. Unfortunately, this brought me a horrible reality check. You see, they weigh me every time I go. Typically this is the only time I am weighed since I don't keep a scale in my house. I also have no full length mirrors so I can completely lie to myself. Anyways, Monday I realized just how much damage I have done to my weight by drinking soda and not sticking to my diet. How much -- 10 pounds in four months. There was no getting around the weight gain. My brother is getting married in two months, I will have to get a grip on my diet by then.<br /><br />I also have a wedding to attend this weekend and had to go shopping for a new dress (all the cute ones I bought last year are to small). I hate shopping when I feel fat. But I did it anyways. I found some really cute dresses and one even followed me home. I found one I would have loved last summer (when I weight 15 pounds less than now) but just didn't care for it with how I look now.<br /><br />Ben is still doing fine. He goes to his swim practice tonight. He is looking forward to this immensely. In fact he is willingly doing two practices. I think I will be glad to go back to four days a week.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-35408114895205368072007-04-10T14:06:00.000-05:002007-04-10T14:25:55.198-05:00Blogger, Ben and Pics<div>I think I will have to add to the cacophony of voices sounding off in disgust at the new blogger. It is terribly irritating. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyways, my mom informed me on Sunday that if her clapotis would be done in time she would like to wear it to my brother's wedding. No pressure there. I of course told her it would be done. I have since frogged the previous attempt, rewound all the yarn (so I can alternate the skeins and keep the color difference from being as noticable) and washed the yarn I had to rip. I did manage to get it restarted but I hardly think the first ten rows counts as much progress. I also want to finish my silk scarf/wrap. I was hoping to wear it this weekend, but I think it will be way to cold for any of my dresses (which are all sleeveless) with a silk wrap. So it may get saved for the brother's wedding (I'm am not in the wedding party, thank goodness).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thanks for all the well wishes for Ben. The doctors believe that this episode is likely unrelated to the previous seizure and more from lack of oxygen after his fall. I am not sure if this makes me feel much better since he fall was really just your basic slip & fall, it could happen any time (he is not the most graceful of kids -- well outside the water anyways). He kept his hospital ID on until today so that he could prove he was in the hospital. I am guessing some of the kids in his class are big liars.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now for some pictures. Nate and Ben finding eggs. Ben was instructed to look for the "hard" ones. I ended up having to give him clues for the final two.</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RhvkDM3PhNI/AAAAAAAAAD8/zXm6Fk5Ve48/s1600-h/Easter+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051882150669812946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RhvkDM3PhNI/AAAAAAAAAD8/zXm6Fk5Ve48/s320/Easter+011.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RhvkDs3PhOI/AAAAAAAAAEE/248ZLVZBcvE/s1600-h/Easter+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051882159259747554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RhvkDs3PhOI/AAAAAAAAAEE/248ZLVZBcvE/s320/Easter+013.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RhvkEM3PhPI/AAAAAAAAAEM/_5X42UEU-Ms/s1600-h/Easter+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051882167849682162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RhvkEM3PhPI/AAAAAAAAAEM/_5X42UEU-Ms/s320/Easter+014.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Grandma and the boys. </div><div> </div><div>As you can see, our backyard is a huge mess. The mound of dirt is from when we dug out for the pool. Shane hasn't wanted to get rid of it all because he has hopes of being able to put in a culvert in our front ditch. But since this pile has been there for two years, I think it is time to get rid of it.</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-53177071409911692572007-04-10T11:12:00.000-05:002007-04-10T11:13:09.921-05:00TestOkay I'm testing out some of the changes. If someone would comment and let me know how everything looks and if I am able to email back, I would be a happy girl. Thanks!Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-53522341505479535382007-04-09T14:25:00.000-05:002007-04-09T14:47:18.121-05:00More medical funSo the weekend started out nice enough. We were all home on Friday and cleaned house. I got my haircut and Ben and I bought groceries. Saturday, I got a nap and cleaned more. Sunday, we were all prepared for company and I was starting the potatoes for lunch when it happened. Ben came into the kitchen and fell. Shane helped him up but he couldn't breath. Then his eyes rolled back and he started to have a seizure. Fun all around. We had the ambulance there and the guests started arriving. By this time, Ben had come to and was joking around with the EMTs (one of whom is his best friend's dad). But we still had to go get him checked so I got to ride in the ambulance to the hospital and spend some time knitting while he had his tests done. (This is his second seizure, but he doesn't have a seizure disorder.) Ben and I got home after everyone had eaten. He is doing fine but I am sure we will get to visit the neurologist again.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I didn't get to see my nephew hunt easter eggs although I did get to watch my boys. Pictures soon.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-41199833858588957792007-04-05T15:54:00.000-05:002007-04-05T15:57:15.689-05:00Happy Easter!Happy Easter! I won't be posting tomorrow since I get the day off. Thanks for all the well wishes for our anniversary. I am going to attempt some changes to get the comments to work properly, so if anything doesn't appear to be working properly, let me know.<br /><br />BTW we play all kinds of pinochle but my favorite is racehorse. Six players and you pass cards around the table. I learned when I was really little so I don't remember to much of the learning process, but my husband still isn't confident enough to play with my family. I usually get roped into playing at his side to because so few of them know how to play. At least it is less bloodthirsty than my mom's family.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-46219348452691854222007-04-04T15:31:00.000-05:002007-04-04T15:43:50.125-05:00Wedding AnniversaryToday is my anniversary. Best yet, I actually remembered and wished my husband a happy anniversary before he did. This is a best record for us. Neither of us tends to remember on the actual day although we usually go out to dinner around the date. 9 years ago today, Shane and I were in Vegas getting married at the chapel of the divorced stars. (They advertised by saying they were the chapel of the stars, but every last couple they named were divorced. Didn't exactly indicate a good success rate. Shortly after we married there, Billie Bob and Angelina Jolie married there. Scary, huh?)<br /><br />I have exactly one picture from our wedding day. This was not due to lack of pictures being taken. I left my camera in the cab and of course it was never found again. I had two aunts and two cousins fly to Vegas for our wedding. Their camera ended up with the film exposed. I didn't think I got any pictures. (I did have the video) My Aunt surpised me at Christmas and gave me the one photo to survive of me and Shane at the gazebo outside the chapel.<br /><br />Shane had never wanted to marry and when we were dating I certainly never imagined our relationship would be long term (well, until he got me pregnant). But here we are nine years, two kids, one dog and a house later and still in love. <br /><br />Love you Shane.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-60264564472350256752007-04-03T14:13:00.000-05:002007-04-03T14:27:43.326-05:00My mom time was wonderful on Friday. I ate dilly bars for supper (I rarely do this because I get hungry to quick, but I wasn't really hungry for supper so I chose to be a little bad). Then I read and watched some tv. Shane had shampooed the carpets, so there wasn't a whole lot of choices in what I could do. I couldn't get to the stash but I still haven't been knitting much. Saturday, Shane finished the carpets and I mostly stayed out of his way, not so easy to do in a cracker jacks box house. My brother and his fiance flaked on us as we figured they would so we went with Plan B celebrating our anniversary with dinner at the fancy Italian/French place. Shane hadn't ever eaten there but I had for work. We had risotto. Shane had steak au poivre and I had tilapia with a crab sauce. It was so delicious. Then Shane finished with bananas foster. We were going to go to the movies, but we had gotten such a later start and of course in a restaurant like we went to time moves very slowly so we bailed. We stopped at the book store (again) and went home. <br /><br />Then we watched The Prestige. I was sadly disappointed in this movie. I wanted to enjoy it because I love Michael Caine and Hugh Jackman but I just couldn't. When it was over I was just irritated.<br /><br />Sunday we went to my Aunt's to get the boys and have some lunch. I ended up playing pinocchle (in my family if they need you to play, you play). It went pretty well and my team won, which rarely happens. Then we took Nate to his first swim practice. He was so funny. The coach used him to demonstrate with while at the side of the pool. Everytime they moved to the next task Nate was always the last in line since he never pays attention to what he is told. But he was so polite and always raised his hand to ask permission to get back in the water (they only allow one per coach in the water at a time at this age group. to many of them can't swim). <br />He didn't want to get out when practice was over.<br /><br />Ben was so ancy to be able to swim that he chose to swim wearing his regular swim trunks, no earplugs and pink goggles he borrowed from the coach. Apparently 1 1/2 weeks is his limit without being in the water. The coach had Ben demonstrate the proper technique for the kickboard to the little ones. He was so proud.<br /><br />Yesterday, my copy of the new Yarn Harlot book came to my house. I had completely forgotten that I ordered it. I haven't started it yet since I was in the middle of another book.<br /><br />I did start a hatfor the movie on Saturday night. It is Lamb's Pride Bulky in a bright orange color. I think I am allergic to the mothproofing. Anybody know if this would be aided with washing the yarn? The last yarn that I was allergic to wasn't helped by washing it which made me really sad since the scarf was for me.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-48864244448042083792007-03-30T15:07:00.000-05:002007-03-30T15:21:42.445-05:00It's officially mom timeThe kids will be off visiting relatives by the time I get home so it will be officially mom time. I will have most of the evening to read or watch kid inappropriate tv and to eat ice cream for dinner. Shane won't even be home until late since he is dropping the kids off at various relatives. This is one of those times I am really glad we moved back closer to the family. We are supposed to go to dinner with my brother and his fiance on Saturday which will be a first for us. If not, Shane and I plan on eating out and seeing a movie. (I will see a movie before the end of April!)<br /><br />I found out last night that my Aunt (my Dad's middle sister) was in the hospital for chest pain! Last time the family copies each other medically was colon cancer (aunt, cousin and grandma) so I could do without a repeat of that. She is fine at the moment but will have more tests. On the plus side, she works at the hospital so she gets extra good care.<br /><br />I really haven't been knitting much. I really have been reading way to much. I think I have finished 8-9 books in the past two weeks. I have three to go before I finish all the ones I purchased from the bookstore the last time. I need to go to the local library and get books there. I used to go to the library all the time when I was younger, but got in the habit of buying books about 15 years ago. Since I reread a goodly number of books, this never bothered me much. Plus the books get passed around the family (usually between 3 and 7 people read them). But this last grouping aren't books most of the family will be likely to read and really aren't the sort I will be rereading (Kay Hooper -- Bishop Crime Series for the curious) since to me mysteries lose their enjoyment when you know all the secrets (and for the record she is pretty good at keeping you guessing, I have probably only figured out about 2/3 of her which is a decent record for me. I always figure them out. It is one of the reasons I don't read a lot of mysteries).<br /><br />My plan is to go through the WIP basket this weekend. I am hoping for some inspiration. Plus I am getting startitis and I really have enough projects started that I shouldn't cast on for anything else. Unless of course I go to the movies, I will have to cast on a hat to take with me. Hats are my favorite movie knitting. If the movie is just the right length I will be ready for decreases by the end and it keeps me from snacking during and therefore getting up to use the restroom in the middle of a movie. How is it that I can sit through a three hour movie at home without getting up, but put me in a theater and I can't make it through a 90 minute movie?Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-24411964715830648912007-03-29T15:18:00.000-05:002007-03-29T15:37:36.494-05:00My evening of huntingI am having one of those days. The ones where everything is emotional and everything seems to take twice as long to get done. Plus, my throat hurts and I am hoping against hope that my boss didn't infect me when he came to get tissues (which sit right in front of me on tope of the shelf above my computer).<br /><br />So two nights ago I am sitting on my bed knitting (of course) and watching tv when I catch a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye. It was a huge spider! I mean seriously like the size of a half dollar. Now I am a fan of spiders out in the world, but in my house not so much. So I didn't try to go get the camera to get a picture of this huge spider, but I did attempt to squish it. I failed miserably and the creepy thing got away. I spent the next ten minutes huddling on my bed furtively watching the spot where it had been like it was going to miraculously reappear there and not directly on me. It completely threw me off for the whole night. I just kept waiting and waiting for it to climb onto the bed. Finally, I decided it wasn't going to come back out but was going to nest in my stash of yarn so that I might find baby giant spiders in the future. So I got up and went to turn of the tv (I never do this, that is what a remote is for) and there it was on the floor by the wall. I crept up with the nearest book (I have lots of books so there is usually one handy although I really don't like squishing the insides of bugs onto my books. But in the case of huge a** spiders, sacrifices must be made.) and squished the living daylights out of the spider. Then I went to sleep, the hunter in me satisfied that the hunted wouldn't be crawling all over me while I slept.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-48193703794710923902007-03-28T15:47:00.000-05:002007-03-28T15:50:56.965-05:00Nothing at allThere is nothing happening here, not that I am complaining to much. Bossman is getting ready to go on vacation for a week so I have been super busy at work which doesn't leave much time for blogging.<br /><br />The boys and I played outside last night and I ended up with a rash again. Sometimes I really hate that I am sensitive to sunlight. Nate suffered another meltdown last night. I will be glad when he gets over this round of meltdowns. Both boys are ready for summer swim team. Ben will miss his first practice. He is going to spend a night with his Aunt, by himself and one with his Grandma. This hasn't happened in ages. Nate is spending it with his Great Aunt. So Shane and I will have the whole weekend to ourselves. Dinner together without kids. Then much cleaning and yard work (at least for him). <br /><br />My UFO for this month -- my mom's clapotis. I must frog it.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-77461037760324986622007-03-27T15:40:00.000-05:002007-03-27T15:43:08.305-05:00High PointBen got the award for High Point Earner in his age group! He was so excited and stunned. Otherwise, we have nothing to report.<br /><br />Kadiddly, I have no email address for you and didn't see one on your blog, but feel free to add me to your blogroll.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-34825148966908767482007-03-26T14:53:00.000-05:002007-03-26T15:40:27.156-05:00Motorcycle FunWe had a very busy weekend. Friday night, I started with that trip to the LYS. First thing the owner says to me is look at the yarn on the table. Brand new 100% silk Claudia's Handpainted. Yummy! I managed to resist temptation, well that temptation at least. I can resist that $40+ plop on one skein pretty well (I eyed the other silk yarn I have for 2 years before buying it. But I still have the sea silk I got at christmas so wasn't overly tempted, yet). What did get me was the brand new Namaste bags she had in. I fell for the <a href="http://www.namasteneedles.com/products/accessories.php">needle bag</a>. I got the dark brown/teal combo. The only way this bag would be better is if it came in black (at least for me). I immediately put all my needles into it. Although, I did have to order some more circular pouches and a couple more straight needle pouches. Shane didn't even complain about my purchase. <div></div><br /><div>Saturday, we went to my cousins for a house warming party. The boys charmed all of the girls <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RggtN7gBUCI/AAAAAAAAADw/Ew78POYUrlo/s1600-h/Motorcycle+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046333099802185762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RggtN7gBUCI/AAAAAAAAADw/Ew78POYUrlo/s320/Motorcycle+003.jpg" border="0" /></a>there and ended up going home with the grandparents. Sunday we went to the grandparents to help my Dad tear out the bathroom. (He is doing very well, thanks for all the thoughts.) </div><div> </div><div>My brother and his fiance came over on their motorcycle so Nate got to take his first ride of the year. My Dad had to dig out his little guy helmet. I managed to get a pretty decent video of him riding. He was confident enough on the back as they were pulling in the drive to wave.</div><div> </div><div>I on the other hand wasn't treated so gently when my brother took me for a ride. Many years ago I used to have my own motorcycle, but after having the boys I sold it since I really couldn't use it. I usually have my Dad take me for a ride at least once a year. I had the baby brother take me this time. I hadn't ridden on this motorcycle before (it's his fiance's and they just got it last year). I gotta tell your it was the most uncomfortable bike to ride as a passenger and I nearly fell off the seat when he took off. But it was a nice day to ride. Ben opted out entirely.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://knit-knack.blog-city.com/">Rebekah</a> wants to know an irrational fear, I have a number of them so I am going with the one that cracks my husband up the most:</div><div> </div><div>1. I can't have curtainless windows at night because I always think someone is watching me. This is true even if I am in the middle of nowhere. I think this goes hand-in-hand with my fear of people breaking into my house if Shane isn't home at night. Last time I was all by myself I blocked the doors so that if someone broke in I would hear it.</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-44775583417248377552007-03-23T14:59:00.000-05:002007-03-23T15:27:38.067-05:00Weekend FunCan I tell you all how happy I am the weekend is here. This has been the longest of weeks. Between Dad and work, Shane got sick, the bossman has been out for two days with the flu the kids are restless because the weather has been wacky. I am worn out. I don't think it helps to know that my Dad was planning to rip out a major portion of his house this weekend and my boss will be coming in and loading me up with work for Monday. I am going to try not to focus on all of that and just enjoy the fun and gorgeous weather we are supposed to have. Plus I think I will stop by the yarn store on the way home. I won't buy any yarn since I have already used up my free day this month, but my subscription to Interweave is gone and there might be a book I would like. It always makes me feel better to go into the yarn store.<br /><br />I have girl's night out tonight. I am hoping to convince her that a movie would be good. I haven't seen a movie in the theater since James Bond and I think I would like to go. Normally, I am better not seeing any movies in the theater since I get easily annoyed by people talking. That and the BF and I have a curse with our movie going. We always end up sitting by the people who talk to each other, on the cell phone or once just for fun a lady cracking sunflower seeds open during a whole movie (American Beauty, no background music to drown this out). The BF thought I was going to cause a fight with that one, since I climbed over the back of the seat at the end of the movie and told the lady how rude she was to make that noise and leave the mess (although much nicer than she deserved). She was like twice my age and left a huge pile of sunflower seed shells on the floor for the poor people to clean up. One time, I thought the BF was going to cause the fight when she hit the row in front of us so hard the whole row shook and told the people to shut up. Mind you, we never do this without a couple of polite be quiets first.<br /><br />I am down to one repeat left on the silk scarf. I am ready to move to a different pattern. The chart really hoses me up (this isn't my first chart either). I much prefer written out directions, but I am to lazy to write out what is charted.<br /><br />My blocking board came in on Wednesday. So fast, I would definately order from Guardian Tablepads again. I also got a new pair of Dansko's from Zappos.com. It is like wearing slippers but that is an evil website. I may have to ban myself from it like I did ebay.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-5631260482562128932007-03-21T14:32:00.000-05:002007-03-21T15:29:02.489-05:00Aughhhhhhh!Okay, I feel better now. Even a virtual scream helps sometimes. I had recovered from my bad mood almost entirely yesterday, then my mom calls. My dad was in the hospital for chest pain. Of course, mom didn't call until he was out and then cuts the conversation short because she had told me he was okay -- no details mind you-- and my brother was on the other line. That's it. That was all I knew. <div><br /><div></div><div>Now this might not be cause for real concern except for three issues 1. My grandfather and three of his brothers all died of heart attacks before age 50 (one before 40) 2. My dad NEVER goes to the doctor or hospital. He waited two weeks after he smashed his finger to a pulp to get it x-rayed, and he was at the doctor the day of to get stitches in it! So for him to voluntarily go is bad. 3. The last huge case we had was for a heart attack that was misdiagnosed so I am prone to freaking out entirely about this. </div><br /><div>So I got to work today a little out of sorts. In fact so out of sorts that the other attorney (2nd bossman) actually noticed I wasn't my chipper self. (I am entirely too bubbly most of the time at work, especially in the morning. I can't help it, I am naturally friendly and happy.) So I had to fess up to the issue. Anyways, I finally gave in and called my Dad at lunch. He is fine. (or so he says) No chest pain or any other problems to report. He claims he didn't let Mom call because we would have come to see him in the hospital and there was no reason to panic (although I disagree with this line of thinking entirely. What I am supposed to wait until he is dying?) Little did he know we couldn't have gone to visit him that night anyways.</div><br /><div>Then he tops all that off by informing me that he is planning on ripping floors and walls out of their house this weekend. Good plan right after chest pain (not to mention the rotator cuff surgery)! So we are going over to their house this weekend to "help". </div><br /><div>So I spent the evening last night watching American Idol and knitting. Is it me or do all the guys this season suck? I haven't watched any season since the second so I was unprepared for how bad they were and I really only watched because it was british invasion week and I needed mindless tv.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RgGMLwsoSZI/AAAAAAAAADY/uoW5O5FVjBU/s1600-h/YFC+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044467191310207378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RgGMLwsoSZI/AAAAAAAAADY/uoW5O5FVjBU/s320/YFC+012.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>I did manage to get pictures of the scarf. Though not in the good and pretty sunlight. I definately need to get my husband's help with some pictures. </div><div> </div><div>I like the second one, it really shows how shiny the yarn is and it really is as soft as it looks.</div><div> </div><div>Oh yeah, Nate passed his preschool screening with flying colors. Apparently he didn't know what a mailbox is called. He called it a mail thingy, obviously he has picked up his mothers ability to remember the names of things. They told us it was pretty likely he would be able to go next year as they base it on age and need first. Need, maybe not; but by age he should be shoe-in since he will be five in September.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RgGMZgsoSbI/AAAAAAAAADo/hQDo6vmgzEk/s1600-h/YFC+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044467427533408690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/RgGMZgsoSbI/AAAAAAAAADo/hQDo6vmgzEk/s320/YFC+013.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-49348490112440179342007-03-20T12:27:00.000-05:002007-03-20T15:16:31.991-05:00Preschool and RiskNate gets tested for preschool today. Yipee! He is so excited about all the big boy stuff he gets to do. Swim team call-outs are next week when he will be placed in no doubt the least skilled group. We don't have to do them with Ben, but we will have to find out when his practices are. I am sure he will swim with the gold group. Then practice starts in one week. Only one more week without practice... Although the practices will only be – crap I just realized it will still be four days a week, just two for each instead of all four for Ben. Well, more knitting time for me.<br /><br />Shane began teaching Ben how to play Risk last night. Ben picked it up pretty quick and should be kicking his dad's behind at the game in no time. Of course, since they were playing games, Nate thought we should. So we played Candyland, Hi-Ho Cherri-O and Dominos.<br /><br />I finally figured out what I was doing wrong on the silk scarf, after ripping out so many times I was going crazy. I kept forgetting to add the YO at the beginning of the wrong side rows. So I made it through one-half of the chart plus a little last night. I will put up pictures tomorrow for <a href="http://rabiesonmyshoe.blogspot.com/">those of you who asked to see it</a>. I am so happy to still have sunlight when I get home, I might actually be able to get a good picture of it.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30100474.post-44731988457912005142007-03-19T14:09:00.000-05:002007-03-19T14:26:40.084-05:00Raving<div>I have been in a horrible mood all day. It started out good enough and I was in a good mood. Slowly it has deteriorated to me ranting and raving about everything. The phone has been non-stop, clients have been especially whiny and lunch sucked. I finally gave in and went to the gas station and got a pepsi, cheese popcorn and some hostess cupcakes. I feel better (ah, the power of junk food) but am still really bitchy. I have yet to figure out why people feel the need to spill all of their issues to the law firm receptionist (okay, technically legal assistant, but they don't know that). Half the people who call have no idea who I am or what I do here. I could be a temp who cares not about their privacy. I just amazes me.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>What totally sucks is that after work I have to take my cranky butt down to Aldi's to get some vegetables. I am not sure the world really wants me to do that today, but if not today we will be out of vegetables (well at least my two boys will be, since they only eat two types of veges and never frozen).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Let's turn to happier thoughts, shall we. On Friday last week, my boys met me for supper. They took me to TGIFridays. On the whole this was very nice. I had appetizers, pot stickers. I love the pot stickers. Seriously, delicious. Nate entertained us during the meal and Ben is finally feeling good enough and been without swim practice long enough to be absolutely punchy. We looked for new tennis shoes for Ben, as he seems to be going through a tearing them up faster than he outgrows them (but not by much) phase. However, what mom is willing to purchase and what Ben wants are two entirely different things. We did manage to come to a compromise but not one which led to shoes where we were. We have come to an agreement about where to shop next. Ben insists on non-tie shoes. He has narrow little feet so they slip on his heel. After trying some on, he realized they wouldn't be comfortable and agreed that something with a velcro might be better. So I told him he could do velcro.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Saturday we had a blissful day full of nothing. Shane had to help some cousins move, so it was just the boys and I. We did nothing but play. No cleaning, no grocery shopping (although we really should have) nothing. Well, they did sweep the kitchen floor but only because they had it so covered in play-doh there was no choice. It was quite a lovely day.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sunday we went to the MIL's to celebrate the SIL's 29th birthday. I spent my afternoon knitting on the silk scarf, but apparently still can't read the chart even though I am on repeat #4 of it. So my knitting was in vain as I ended up right where I started seeing as how I am unable to count. I also got half of the first sleeve down on Ben's sweater. There is still hope that I will have it done before winter is over.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Finally, anyone who has made it this far deserves a little treat. Nate and his Aunt (not the birthday girl) enjoying some ice cream after supper.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/Rf7j5GB8skI/AAAAAAAAADQ/yOYqJkjj8Ec/s1600-h/YFC+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043719202712367682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qNtPe2iSROM/Rf7j5GB8skI/AAAAAAAAADQ/yOYqJkjj8Ec/s320/YFC+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02838958153387023602noreply@blogger.com2