Hook & Needles

Call the DR!!

2008-07-08T12:00:00.001-07:00

Ok I know! I'm a GEEK - but I LOVE my Dr!! And SOMEONE get me a Diet Coke - and Damn I will SMILE!!

I am NOT alone!!

2008-07-03T15:08:00.000-07:00

One of the fellow mom's of Ravelry forward this to the "moms" .. I was in STITCHES and had to share!!!

I suddenly feel like I'm not alone in these teenage years! Oh Michael! Oh Stephanie! Be ready ... it's going to be a FUN weekend!!!

Happy 4th everyone!

Quiet Day in the Office

2008-07-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

Ok so everyone in the office is traveling this week - and I've been left in here with 2 other people. Randomly we here music playing in the bakground and have to name the artist, song and year. Like:

or:

And least we forget:

but the best was:

Yeah - I love my job!!!

TRUE COLORS

2008-06-29T21:21:00.000-07:00

My boss sent me an email the other day asking me if I was doing anything Friday night. Usually the response would be “of course” since those questions usually are followed with “oh, I needed you to do me a favor …” but this Friday I KNEW it was in regards to going to see the TRUE COLOR concert tour here in San Diego with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, the B-52’s, and (holding breath) CYNDI LAUPER!!!
I have ALWAYS loved Cyndi Lauper – from the moment she erupted on the music scene back in the 80’s. Yes I was one of “THOSE” kids that shaved my head to the side, dressed in neon and dyed my hair carrot red just to be like her. And to my mother shame I even received my diploma from college in a black skirt, green neon tights and BAREFOOT! Needless to say I’m a Cyndi worshipper!

So when Sam asked if I was busy Friday, it didn’t matter if I was having dinner plans with Madonna and Guy Ritchie – I’d cancel! The really COOL part was not only did our staff get tickets, but Cyndi also made sure Robert was able to come… TOO FREAKEN COOL!!!

Ok enough of the small talk – the concert... well it ROCKED!! Joan Jett was as amazing as always!! And yes “I LOVE ROCKn’ROLL’ was the best part of her set! Cyndi came out to introduce the “MC” Carson Kressley (the fashion guy from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy!) and again – AWESOME! Ok, I will admit I’m not a HUGE B-52 fan (Like Sam and Matt are) but it was nice to rock out to “Love Shack! (drum roll) and then there she was – the sweet voice with Rocken’ sounds!! OMG!! She Bop, Girl’s Just Want to Have Fun, and the most impressive Money Changes Everything (Duet with Joan Jett!)

But I have the moment I cried was when EVERYONE came back on stage to sing TRUE COLORS! Cyndi’s passion is HRC and obviously this concert was a way of her promoting the get out and vote cry and also to make sure that everyone – not just a select few – have the right to love and MARRY who they want! And I would like to ask EVERYONE out there – regardless of what you feel to think about one thing that Cyndi said that makes so much sense whatever your orientation is – Once the government says who you can and cannot marry, based on sexual preference – what’s next? What if they decide if all the Brunettes with curly hair can’t get married? Or only blonds can marry redheads … what if the next decision and segregation affects YOU and no one says anything??? What would YOU do and what would you hope someone would do to help YOU?!

As a way to thank Cyndi for her generosity for making the tickets available to me, our office and off course dear Robert!, we are collecting for the HRC in the office with Sam matching ever dollar I collect - So I hope to make a HUGE donation SOON!! Also - going to do a yarn in sale too (you know profits going to the cause) It really hit home about what happens when the next law effects something I do because of who I am, because my parents were from Sicily or my daughter was born in Connecticut. Someone has to stand up for my rights - so damn it - it's gonna' be ME!

There are more people who PAY to vote for the AMERICAN IDOL than the AMERICAN PRESIDENT – hmm makes you think huh??! So in the words of the 80’s – come November – ROCK THE VOTE!! Vote smart! Get out and Vote!! And make sure that you have a say in your todays and TOMORROWS!!

Silly little box!

2008-06-25T11:18:00.001-07:00

Isn’t the internet a wonderful thing? Through this stupid little line that goes through this box on my desk to a plug in the wall we are connected to our friends, families and the world. Sometimes we find friends from years gone by, meet our perfect mate (bow to my dear Rob – from when we had a whooping 24 baud modem!) , or make new friends and business partners . Amazing isn’t it all!

I belong to this amazing group of friends on Ravelry – the 9-5 Multi-taskers Group – that we all work hard at what we do, but also get a moment to sneak away to the “box” for some chit chat on the internet. Through these friends, I have met some great, GREAT ladies – and often will sit and “chat” with them when things here in the office go so awry I feel like I’m going to lose it.

We had this really COOL swap … hmm wonder who had that idea (blush) … and I got the most AWESOME gift from my partner Ally!! She TOTALLY spoiled me … I LOVE my bling, bling purse she made me – and my little purse to hold all my gadgets! WOW! Ally you are amazingly talented!! She also stocked me up with all these great treats for my desk – nummies!! And I LOVE this Sushi wallet! I have been looking at this kit since I got back into knitting and now I can think about my new friend Ally every time I use it and how cool am I going to be when I go out for Sushi with Ms Laura and have a funky cool sushi wallet? Oh yeah I will ROCK!!!

I got to spoil my new friend Nichole in the process too. She and I had been chit chatting about her lovely stitch markers and had actually already swapped markers for yarn about 2 days before the swap itself came out. I got to play sneaky devil and chat her up more and see what she likes and dislike – all under the disguise of idle chatter… and she feel for it!! Seriously though she has some AWESOME stitch markers and you should check out her Esty store!!

Nichole also hooked me up with what might be my coolest link – she got me involved with this lovely LYS in New Hampshire, A Knitter’s Garden. Joann, the owner is a sweetie and I probably will NEVER ever met her, but she is my VERY first WHOLESALE client possibility for Zona Blue Design and my hand dyed yarns. I’m SO excited!! I have No idea what to send her – solids, semi-solids, self striping? It’s all a blurr! Nichole is my link in .. so I’m dyeing like crazy this week – sending like crazy – I have NO clue what I’m doing and I’m trying not seem like an airhead in the process but DANG! I’m sooo nervous I’ll blow it!

So this silly little box that sits on my desk – has found me, new friends, my man AND my possible new income?? WAY TO GO INTERNET!!!

The Invasion of the POD PEOPLE!

2008-06-17T18:53:00.000-07:00

Today has been one of those days were I REALLY question the "why" of it all..

Work has been overly stressful - pick a country and I'm sure we have SOMETHING going on there but my friend Maureen recommend this amazing book GETTING IT ALL DONE - by David Allen., and although I had been doing a lot of the general management stuff, this book really hits on a few good key elements on multitasting and simplifing your life and work. REALLY! Awesome read and it has NOTHING to do with yarn and knitting... unless you consider that I now have incorporated the habit of placing my patterns & yarns into the Do, Defer, and Trash (egads) catagories ...lol

One of the other things I have noticed though is that all this craziness has a root of evil and I'm calling them the "20-somethings!" (sorry out there... there are a few of them that have tarnished it for the lot!) I want to know when the answer "Gee, I don't know" became acceptable at work.

ME: So why are we spending $20K on this ...

HER: Gee I don't know ...

ME: And you are late why?

HER: Gee, I don't know ...

ME: And the reason you didn't say anything to anyone about these charges on your credit card are why?

HER: Gee, I don't know ...

OMG - even before I started working, I use to help at mom's restaurant (read that as FREE labor that had no choice in the matter) and if I ever said "I don't know" to anything business related, she FLIPPED... the answer ALWAYS had to have a solid reason. Hell we are talking MONEY, DINERO, (or in terms this chicy might get) BEER!! And worse, its not me, there is a term now for these kiddos - Millinials! They even got their own spot on 60-minutes!!

I am so tired of the "me generation!" WAIT!!! I was the me generation, wasn't I? I was a child of the 70's and in college during the 80's. I knew excess I knew credit card debit! But these kids, they don't try out for a team, they don't win or lose, they are there for the spirit of it all.

Ok, don't get me wrong, I might not be THE best team player - In fact I sent an email to my managing director today BEFORE I sent it to one of the Millinials because I didn't want to be too bitchy! But would you have ver thought of just announcing an hour before a doctors appointment you were leaving (when no one in the office knew you were going? Or on Friday afternoon you decided at 4 - yeah it was time to wrap up and go home?

I'm SOO tired of the extended lunches, the whining in the office that YES you really have to put in 1-year before you get a paid vacation and omg PLEASE stop talking about your birthday to EVERYONE on the phone 2 weeks before it happens and a week afterwards. Really, after turning 8 years old - and mommy and daddy stop throwing the b-day parties - ENOUGH!!!

And can you PLEASE take the damn I-Pod earphones off while you are in the office. Yes I text messages on my cell too, but I didn't pay $300 for a phone to have a QWERTY keypad, nor do I have a relationship through one (remember when you actually had to CALL someone up to ask for a date? Now it's all a IM or phone text... and yes, they even break up with you these days on those things!)

ohhh -- did I say I needed a LITTLE therapy? Ok Maybe that was more than my nickels worth, but really it felt SOOO good to get it out there!!

It is FINALLY Friday …

2008-06-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

I don’t think I’ve looked forward to a weekend SO much in a VERY long time.

I’ve seen some really great highs this week – like Lyn from New Hampshire not only coming out to San Diego to see her daughter (who was evacuated due the fires in October 2007) and then having breakfast with DH and me on Saturday, but she brought ANOTHER amazing blanket for us to deliver through the San Diego Blanket Project.

My knitting group got together to celebrate its 1 year anniversary the other night and WOW, you know merlot and knitting really doesn’t mix! But it was really nice to see some of the original group, some have had a baby, another is GOING to have one. We’ve had new people join the group, have 2 active men knitting with us, and have lost a few of our ole’ regulars. When all was said and done though, it was a refreshing moment and nice to get back to our roots.

Other than that, I still can’t get any of my projects to stick and become FO’s … who knows maybe tomorrows KIP will inspire me. But today the sun is shining, my head is high, its PAY DAY and I just ordered $200 in yarn for my knitting group … it’s a good day …

Stuck in a rut ...

2008-06-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

Words – to paper … sometimes the hardest thing in the world to do. Lately though, I just compose these incredible things (be they lists, blogs, letters and memos to Sam, that sound awesome in my head, but get my hand near a pen – and watch out … I’m deadly. Nothing has come out right!

The same can be said with my fiber! I have yarn on top of yarn, design on top of pattern all ready at the go and I sit here frogging – again – another latest and greatest. I can’t seem to make a square, a hat or a scarf hold true to pattern. The fiber is all wrong, the texture isn’t right, or (this is my favorite) why do I even bother when … (you fill in the blanks).

I think I’m burnt out. I don’t know. I’ve made a few gifts already (although I’m thinking of getting a craft booth with a few fellow crafters this fall and selling things) and well that though lasts about an hour and then I tell myself how silly that is.

I’ve been dyeing a good amount of yarn lately. But even that, doesn’t seem to keep my interest. Randall (one of our costume designers at work) says sometimes you just gravitate to particular colors and I should go with it, but I can’t seem to break from the vibrate blue, greens and purples. I tried – Really! And I ended up coming up with THIS: I’ve even started turning to friends on Ravelry to say HELP… but that’s not working… I’m ALMOST tempted to try socks again but we all know that will lead to loud swearing and lots of broken needles. I need to be back in New England – I need to have a reason to play with yarn. I think I’ve exhausted all there is for fiber in my mind in Southern California. I think I need a vacation to the Arctic!

Hmm … so words went to paper today now maybe I can get yarn to needles ... maybe

Norma Rae! Norma Rae!

2008-06-06T13:14:00.001-07:00

So I'm thinking today that the universe and I aren't talking. I've lost my cell phone, got about 2 hours of sleep and have been working on a personal project for my boss now for almost 4 hours and still have to get the regular $hit done too.

I'm going on strike!

I walked into the house yesterday and the 16 year old was too tired to get a job (ohhhh poor thing) and the 12 year old couldn't clean his room, but after a long day the first words were "what's for dinner" - Yup I'm on Strike!

Then I asked for help in skeining some yarn for a new client, the 16 year old says no - she's watching TV, the 12 year old is busy playing video games. Can they clean the counter, vacuum the floor, maybe even unload the dishwasher? Nope! - So I'm on Strike!

When DH got home last night (15 minutes later than he said - this normally shouldn't be a problem - but in his world he works from 8 am till 10 pm and has missed the last 5 weeks of date night and dinners at 8:30 - and yes doesn't call) I had already gotten in the car to go out and basically blow the world off ... SMART man intercepted me, got me dinner (as bad as it was he gets a point for trying) and said YUP - You're on strike!

Tomorrow I go food shopping. I'm going to take MY food, and MY clean clothes and MY electric and have a good ole' time. Maybe some yarn and I will reintroduce ourselves ... maybe a nice Ice Tea...

Hmm -- I wonder how long its going to be before they even notice ... that "I'm on strike!" ?

It's BACCCCKKKK!!

2008-05-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness for my friend Anita - without her I would have missed the Spring Dish Cloth Swap and very honestly mine have been looking a bit old so LORD KNOWS I am in need of this swap! (plus I am so tired of life that this is just the right amount of mindless activity to MAYBE get the juices flowing again - who knows)

Well rule #1 is to post our questionaire so here is everything you want to knwo about me and where even more afraid to ask ...

1. Do you Knit or Crochet? For how long?
Both - crocheting since I was about 6 and knitting not long after that - recently returned to my roots and have been crocheting up a storm but will LOVE LOVE LOVE the way fabric draps with knitting

2. Do you enjoy using metal, wooden, or some other kind of needle\hook?
Mostly I'm a metal girl, with my double points in bamboo (maybe because they hold the yarn better)

3. What are your favorite types of yarn? Any you just can't stand?
I'm in LOVE with anything that is a wool blend (maybe because I've been dyeing so much lately) but its easierfor holiday gifts too. Although I just found Vanna's new color ways for the summer and think a lot of the gifts will be based on them. CAN NOT stand anything in the novelty yarns!

4. When it comes to cotton, are there any brands you'd love to try and haven't?
I would LOVE to try some Egyptian cotton .. I have a skein but cannot bring myself to knit a dish cloth with it (sorry Corinne)

5. When you make Dishcloths, do you use them yourself, or tend to give them as gifts?
Both (although I've been lagging in the self spoils lately!)

6. Do you have a favorite color? Any that you dislike?
I love the greens, blues and purples, hot colors just don't do it for me :(

7. What color(s) (if any!) are your kitchen and bath decorated in?
We have an all white kitchen with a wonderful wood floor. I love the clean lines it gives, but a spot of color is always nice!

8. What are your favorite scents around the house?
Can't have any - kids and I are allergic

9. What is your very favorite thing about summer?
Coming home after a LONG day at the office, grabbing the kids and heading to the pool, maybe on weekends going to a drive-in with my honey, and just having longer day light hours to play.

10. What is your least favorite thing about summer?
The Electric Bill in August! Even in San Diego it get HOT!!

11. Do you use soap or body wash in the shower?
Only unscented (see allergies statement)

12. What scents do you enjoy in the bath?
None

13. What is your favorite dishcloth pattern?
All of them

14. What sort of treats do you enjoy? Sweet or Salty?
Both

15. Imagine today is one of the hottest days of the year - what do you do to keep cool? Or are you one of those folks who loves the hot weather?
At the pool with the kids, knitting in hand with a nice Ice tea in the other

16. What sorts of hobbies do you enjoy besides knitting or crocheting?
POKER!!! Texas Hold em!

17. Do you collect anything (besides yarn!)
mini snowglobes

18. Are you on Ravelry? If so, share your ID!
Georgiegirl65

19. Do you have any allergies?
None

20. Do you have any pets?
Kids have Hamsters - I have kids :0

The Best Feeling in the WORLD!

2008-05-23T14:48:00.000-07:00

Ok I know as a mom of two I should say holding my babies when they are born, or when I hear the words "mommie I love you" ... but SERIOUSLY the absolute best feeling in the world TODAY is getting in to NEW JEANS 2 sizes smaller than I use to wear!!

I know I use to say it was the 26 tumors but D-A-M-N!!! that was 6 months ago!! time for this girl to flaunt it .. lol oh wait THAT'S what gets me into trouble.

Anyways - Hope everyone has a SAFE and WONDERFUL holiday weekend!!

We all do something stupid ...

2008-05-19T11:56:00.001-07:00

Miss Moneypenny - please mark this post personal and make sure you forewarn all and any reader that they may get more than they bargain for here.

I use this blog more like a reflection of who I am, where I've been and where I would like to go more than the original purpose and that was to showcase all the wonderful fiber creations I create. Unfortunately, due to recent developments in my life, I have done neither reflected on my life nor created and I have seen the dark corners of hell that I have drawn myself into and now am in the process of pulling myself out of.

First I would like to let people like Laura know how much I absolutely adore her and thank the powers above that she is my friend and "twin". She is the only one that give my ass a good kick when I need it and hold me up when I stumble. I so am very lucky for you and I will hold your hand if you hold mine!

The reason for all this self indulgence and self "ugh" is that over a year ago there was an Idiot who I thought I was long through with that I thought could no longer hurt me, my family, my dear Robert. But stupid me and my "12 year old heart" didn't know that the moment he decided to grace me again with his presence that every thing I thought would be changed.

I realized that although I am a strong woman, can run a non-profit for the SD Blanket Project (which I apologize I have let lapse because I have been so selfish), be a Business Manager in probably the coolest job with the coolest bosses, and a damn good mother of two great kids ... regardless of all that - I am still learning to accept that I am capable of being loved by one incredible man and that this other Idiot is just a distraction.

I realized yesterday that I do not interact sometime (ok MOST of the time) but REact to people. I don't know what I can do about it but I seriously think that knowing the problem my be the first stop in to solving the problem. And a word of advice ... when an EX comes back into your life, for whatever reason, RUN - do not walk, do not pass GO, DO NOT collect $200 - as fast as you can in the other direction!! There is a reason that these people are ex's and we often forget all the bad - but trust me RUN LIKE HELL!!

So I took to hiding my blog and making it private (which I have now unblocked because I won't hide myself again from anyone), back to knitting last night (augh, I really have to get SHORTER size 11 needles), and we all had burgers and hot dogs on the patio for dinner while we watched the balloons over the San Diego coastline and all 4 of us TALKED. (ok, Stephi didn't like the "when you getting a job Miss I'm 16 now" talk, but hey welcome to being 16!)

I'm going to take the baby steps BACK to my family and friends and DOING my job the best I can, and I can hope that if and when I stumble - cuz I know I will - I'll have folks to hold me up (like this really great guy that has shared the past ohhh 17 years with me and understands that sometimes a hug and holding my hand speaks VOLUMES to what I really need!!)

Ok, Miss Moneypenny, set this post to self-destruct in 5 - 4- 3 - 2 .....

And the beat goes on ....

2008-05-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

So life at Casa de Smith has resumed to its normal craziness … Stephi is working on getting a job (YEAH! She can now pay for her $300 phone bills!!) and Michael is still twisting my heart around his little finger … and work is well to say we are busy is a major understatement – YUP I’m thriving in my environment!!

On Friday my friend H got me KILLER tickets to go see Montgomery Gentry at Pala Casino here in Fallbrook … I’m so really excited –I mean the last time I went to any concert I think my hair was dangerous to the environment in the 80’s!! And H – being a true “good guy” HATES country so he got me the tickets and is going to then disappear – he earned points for that one… maybe we both grew up in the year we weren’t hanging out … but DAMN it’s a concert!!

The really cool part is I’m going to go with my 22 year old costume designer from work (OMG – I’m old enough to be her MOM!!) and we are raiding the costume warehouse for clothes – but I’m drawing a line at the OKLAHOMA wardrobe … no way am I going in with the petticoat and singing about the wind sweeping down the plains! Maybe some Cowboy boots, and if the “girls” will fit into a leather vest … Hey do people even dress for concerts anymore?? Damn I better consult with my 22 guru!!

But knitting is there – and I usually get in about 5 minutes a day when I’m in line to drop Michael off at school .. but I have completed a few things. A couple of really cute LONDON BEANIES (yes H you get one for when you go camping – but you are NOT getting the sweater!) and Stephi even asked for a shawl for her prom dress…

Right now I’m working on another Lucy Bag for my friend TJ’s daughter who is turning 16 five days after Stephi does. YES, STEPHI is going to be 16!!! Yes, I have a special gift for here (which has been hell to work on since she is ALWAYS snooping – hmm wonder where she gets that – cough, cough)

So hopefully I will get a few more stitches in today … and until then I leave you with this ...

Flashback Thursday

2008-05-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

Was surfen' around the other night and found this ... hope those that remember it enjoy it as much as I did seeing it :)

And "kids" this is what they REALLY use to play on Mtv ... ahh the good ole' days ...

We Graduate!!

2008-04-30T16:12:00.000-07:00

So it’s been doing a lot lately:
Family Camping trip – check
Artwalk – check
International Business – check
Car Accident – check
Taste of Little Italy – in process

But the best thing I can mark off on my list is STEPHANIE GRADUATES HIGH SCHOOL!

We got her test scores last night and this kid ROCKS!! In order to graduate from the California School system, kids have to pass a series of tests that basically show – wow – they actually learned something in the 12 years. And for ANYONE that knows me, this year has been a killer.

Between hospital visits in the first few days of school, being told that my normally A student was a “problem” because she would question the teacher (yes the teacher actually said that the Holocaust was never proven therefore it was not a fact and Stephi should not bring the topic up in class – HELLO – I’m Italian and my Nana was Jewish and a survivor of the holocaust – our family was THERE … rumor my ass!!) Sorry I digressed…

To homeschooling – where I was told I couldn’t / wouldn’t be able to do this and work the schedule I do with the 3 companies … and raise another child ..

To all of those nay-Sayers I have one thing to say – KISS MY GRITS!! My kid got nearly perfect scores on both the Math and English portions of this test!! She is amazing!! Stephanie YOU ROCK!! I am so proud to have you as my daughter and you are an amazing person …

… now go clean your room and set the table, its nearly dinner time. Love Mom xoxo

Where's GeorgeAnne (like where's Waldo with better pics!)

2008-04-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

Yes I’ve been missing in action – I’m sorry but seriously if you know me you know where you could have look – Either my desk at work or in the kitchen dyeing yarn (you can see all the pretty colors in my sidebar)!

Work has been amazing the past few weeks. The Imagination Entertainment side of things has been going world wide with events in Turkey and for the first time I’m REALLY happy I use to hang out with a Turkish guy who told me how to get things done … Thanks H! But seriously International Business was NOT something I was ready to jump into!! Making collection calls at 2 am our time – Sam I love ya’ but seriously … oh hell I love my job!!

This past weekend was the INCREDIBLE ARTWALK 2008!! Over 400 artist booth closing down 15 city blocks and I walked that event for 18 hours over 2 days in 90+ degree weather… but I LOVE it!! (Maybe I’m heat stroked, but what better job is there were you can hang out with artist, work on your tan, AND carry your knitting with you to work on??!)

The only bad part of the weekend was some idiot decided that my car made an excellent RAMP for his to back up over … yup I was the victim of a stupid car accident! The Saturn takes a licken’ but keeps on ticken’!! I love this car and more importantly as bad as the damage is I walked away from what could have been a terrible accident! The really “cool” part was I called Robert in a full fledge state of panic and within 15 minutes this man was by my side to help me get the car on the tow truck, get my rental, and got me to work (yep went to work after being hit head on – hey it was ARTWALK weekend!!)

So now it’s back to knitting at night and dyeing yarn when I can … I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking because seriously … I’m pooped!

Counting my Blessings

2008-04-09T19:27:00.001-07:00

About a year ago I started a knitting group. My heart was breaking – it’s a long story and if you know well enough you know it’s long and evolved. But I started to get out away from a computer that I had hid behind to pretend to be someone and something I wasn’t…. so I started a group. My therapy group.

In that group I met some AWESOME folks… and one amazing lady who I swear is a sister to my heart. I actually MET her for the first time after the fires in San Diego (her dad ended up losing his home) but I knew from all the emails of the previous months before that she was a great person.

Through the past few months (can you believe that girl - 6 months?!) I feel so inspired by her… We share so many things from home schooling our kiddos, to knitting and crochet to (blast) a similar sense of humor!

I guess in all that tragedy and especially in my heart break – I grew up a bit. I use to think that I needed a lot of names in my cell phone of people to call “friends” but rarely knew anything about me at all. Now I have a much better perception about what I want in my life not what I THOUGHT I needed.

I realized today I have people I care about and who really care about me. So thank you Amanda, and all my therapy “sisters” who held me when I would cry about nothing. You really do make a difference and I might not always say it – but I’m so glad I have you in my life!

There and back again …

2008-04-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

Wow! It’s been a week and such a strange ride at that. Let me see where to begin. Perhaps at the beginning. Fiber wise: I’ve been knitting and dying! I’ve had LOTS of hats on and off the needles. Some are going to friends who are collecting for their chemo patients:

And another hat is going to my Reggae friend. This guy is amazing! At 36 he is raising is daughter solo, going to college, and works 2 jobs. One of his jobs is catering the food at a Reggae club where he occasionally gets to DJ as well. So I thought this was PERFECT for him – well he thought so too! And he is now “pushing my wares” down at the club and I’m loving it!! Thanks TJ!

Other than that .. hmm I HAD MY FIRST ETSY SALE!!! Actually, I have three sales and I love it. Dying yarn has been awesome, but it’s now a family experience – Michael and Stephi help wind and skein, Robert helps in the photo process (the man went out and got me Photoshop C2 to help me!!) and I get to clean the kitchen! I love my etsy store and I’m learning a lot about me in the process. Right now I’m having a SINGLE SKEIN SALE to clean out the test skeins, so you might want to take a look over there. So fiber life is good – life life is HECTIC! It’s tax season (rabbit season – sorry that’s my bow WB cartoons!)

We have ARTWALK 2008 coming up in three weeks. What Sandi and Paula do as a team is an amazing feat! I am so proud to be a part of that! In addition to the KidsWalk area (really, if you have children, are a fan of the independent artist or just love a good time in Little Italy, San Diego – you should NEED to come down on April 26 and 27) but we are also having an Artist Auction for these AMAZING benches that with all the funds raised will help fund the ArtReach Program.

Thanks to all the budget cuts many schools have lost the arts in the school systems and ArtReach is a way to help bring some of it back! As a parent I’m glad they are there – as part of the team … I just am amazed at what goes on and what the kids get out of this!!

And if that wasn’t enough, everyone take a deep breath because 10 days after ARTWALK we have The Taste of Little Italy! Needless to say – a lot going on in an amazing company! This is all part of my day – in the morning I might be working for Sam and the iL Circo side of the company, and by the end of the day I might be looking at some of the most amazing art that is going to be showcased at the April event.

Yeah it’s hectic and amazing and I’ve been there… and back again.

Is that a Gray Hare?

2008-03-25T16:22:00.001-07:00

I work with a fairly young bunch of people - I guess you have to when you are an acrobat or contortionist .. but there are sometimes when I feel like I saw the invention of the wheel. For that I have to say:

Since the “kids have it so easy” rant is still in full effect, I thought I’d pass this along as well. Feel free to update as necessary, as this list only refers to kids born in 1980…I’m sure it gets worse in later years! Each year the staff at Beloit College in Wisconsin puts together a list to try to give the faculty a sense of the mindset of that year’s incoming freshmen.

Here is this year’s list:
The people who are starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1980.
They have no meaningful recollection of the Reagan Era and did not know he had ever been shot. They were prepubescent when the Persian Gulf War was waged.
Black Monday 1987 is as significant to them as the Great Depression.
There has been only one Pope. They can only really remember one president.
There were 11 when the Soviet Union broke apart and do not remember the Cold War.
They have never feared a nuclear war. “The Day After” is a pill to them, not a movie.
They are too young to remember the space shuttle (Challenger) blowing up.
Tieneman Square means nothing to them.
Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic
Atari predates them, as do vinyl albums.

The expression “you sound like a broken record” means nothing to them.
They have never owned a record player.
They have likely never played Pac Man and have never heard of Pong.
Star Wars look very fake to them, and the special effects are pathetic.
There have always been red M&M’s and blue ones are not new. There used to be beige ones? (I actually don’t remember these and I was born in ‘68–L)
They may have heard of an 8 track, but probably never have actually seen or heard one.
The Compact Disc was introduced when they were 1 year old.
As far as they know, stamps have always cost about 32 cents.
They have always had an answering machine.
Most have never seen a TV set with only 13 channels, nor have they seen a black-and-white TV. They have always had cable.
There have always been VCR’s, but they have no idea what BETA is.
They cannot fathom not having a remote control.
They were born the year that Walkmen were introduced by Sony.
Roller-skating has always meant inline for them.
The Tonight Show has always been with Jay Leno.
They have no idea when or why Jordache jeans were cool.
Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.
They have never seen Larry Bird play, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a football player.
They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.
The Vietnam War is as ancient history to them as WWI, WWII or even the Civil War.
They have no idea that Americans were ever held hostage in Iran.
They can’t imagine what hard contact lenses are.
They don’t know who Mork was or where he was from.
They never heard: “Where’s the beef?”, ”I’d walk a mile for a Camel,” or “de plane, de plane!”
They do not care who shot J.R. and have no idea who J.R. is.
The Titanic was found? I thought we always knew where it was.
Michael Jackson has always been white.
Kansas, Chicago, Boston, America, and Alabama are places, not groups.
McDonald’s never came in Styrofoam containers.
There has always been MTV.

Just in case you are having one of "those" days ...

Playing Tour Guide

2008-03-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

I'll be playing your tour director today - since Robert and I FINALLY got a day off together!

We started our morning off at Hash House a Go-Go in Hillcrest. OMG if you ever get to San Diego and want an AWESOME breakfast – GO HERE. We waited an hour for a seat, but trust me the food is SO worth it! Look at these plates!!

We did not eat again until 10 that night it is worth EVERY PENNY!!

From the restaurant, we headed down to the San Diego Embarcadero. I work about 10 feet from these place every day and I never realized just how beautiful it is. We went to the USS Midway War Museum and well… just look at the view!

Right next to the USS Midway was the Bob Hope Memorial. The really neat thing about this, is that there is no statue of Hope, but instead it's images of what he saw when he was performing. This was amazing and after living here 13 years, I didn't even know this was here!!

Oh and this was REALLY cool!
Yup, that's me in the red ... that's one BIG statue!!

When we got home, My friend Anita - aka the Easter Bunny - had gifted me with these adorable stitch markers ...

Last, but not least, we snuck away for dinner (it consisted of a $1.50 hot dog) at one of the local casinos and ended up winning about $40!

So nope, there wasn't a lot of knitting on my vacation ~ unless you count the 2 rows I did in the car on the way to the casino ~ but in those 24 hours with DH I had the BEST day!! WOW ... this was ONE AMAZING, TOTALY AWESOME day!!

And this ladies and gentlemen, concludes our tour today. Thank you and come again :)

Happy Spring Equinox

2008-03-20T10:14:00.000-07:00

IT’S SPRING TIME!!

It’s really NOT that big of a deal when you live in San Diego but this weekend I’m sneaking away to my condo up in Carlsbad with my family … and look at this view!! Not only do we get to over look the beautiful Pacific Ocean but look at these flower fields! If I can’t find inspiration there, then well, there isn’t much to inspire me!

I’ve been dying A LOT lately and just having a blast with it. I sold my first skein of Merino Wool at the Assembly Party last week (Which I am VERY pleased to say was by far one of the BEST events we have ever put on - poo poo on MY melt down!!) but still nothing yet on Etsy, I think I really need to get some better pictures of the yarn since I’m not quiet getting the beauty yet. But I’m SO pleased with the effects. I have worsted weight, DK and now fingering for all my sock friends…

The best part is I’ve gone from Kool Aid dying right to kettle dying and the best part is its all natural dyes so even when the kiddos help (yep I’ve added this to the Chemistry curriculum for Stephi) I’m not worried.

So other than dying my heart out, I’ve been KNITTING a storm up!! I’ve got these Pi chemo caps down to a science and if you can believe it, I’m now designing my own hats too. I realized just because I live here and I’ve never been a hat wearer doesn’t mean I can’t knot for others. So I’m loving it. It’s still saving my life while I’m helping others – RIGHT ON!!

I'm Melting ....

2008-03-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I had a melt down!

It was one of those days when no matter what I was doing, I found 4 other things wrong with it… and worse, these usually were from other people that I have to go fix problem with. Top it all off, my boss came over to my desk just as the tears began to roll down my cheeks.

Now Sam is an amazing boss – he runs this amazing entertainment company that I get to “play” at as Business Manager. When I was sick he was the GUY who stocked the ladies' room for me with all the feminine products a girl could dream of, and when he saw me yesterday crying all he did was ask if I was ok and gave me a hug. Yeah there might be better jobs out there with more money, but he is understands all my quirks with the kids and knitting - in short me! Thank you Sam – you got me through THAT melt down…

Nevertheless, I wish that were the only one yesterday. When I got home I got some sad news about a few of the people that are in the Blanket Project with me. NO, not the sad news were you wear Black, but just the part where you realize that they are no longer able to be involved. And it’s sad because they were there from the start and to beg for their help … not my style. Charity knitting is something we do because we want to, not for quilt reasons, and more importantly I know when people are going through their own trials they need to re-prioritize … and sometimes knitting and friendships go to the side. I can only hope that she knows I’m here for her, and always will be, and when she’s ready … I’ll still be just a call away – Project or not.

But in all that I also realized I have this AMAZING wonderful friend from ‘Jersey! Damn, she reminds me of everything that is GOOD about being an East Coaster and I love talking to her and hanging with her. I called her in the mist of my tears and asked her what was I doing wrong… and proceeded to have a conversation with myself with her on the other side of the line. Ten minutes on the line and she made the really BAD day seem not so bad. I was able to get back into the office, get back to the press kits and back to the task at hand. Thank you for listening M and thank you for being my voice of reason!

So today is a new day, no melt downs ... yet. I have my lunch knitting with me and all the press kits for the project went out. I’m hopeful that we get some attendance at the Assembly Party on Saturday for the Project and if 10 people show great and if its only M and me, well we will be working our butts off but it’s ok… sometimes I just have to realize that everything is going to be okay when I breath in and out and in again…

With Every Stitch, We Save A Life

2008-03-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

Everyone in my Fiber Therapy Group seems to be talking about the book The Knitting Circle lately and it wasn't unit Heidi said that it took place in Providence, RI that I had any interest in picking it up. (Yes, a part of me will forever stay true to my East Coast roots, although I consider myself now one of “those” Californian people).

The book probably will never make it into the “Great Halls of Literature” fame, but for those of us that are fiber affected, I would definitely recommend it for several reasons. Primarily there is a line in the book that has struck a chord with me and if you have ever knitted or crocheted for a charity or friend in need you will understand … the words were simply “with every stitch, it saved my life”.

Right now I’m not only working on the San Diego Wild Fire Blanket Project, which whenever I speak of it I tend to talk people’s ears off (sorry), but I’m also working on these great little Pi Chemo Caps. I think they are a little more fashionable and yes, the math factor is a major draw for me. These things are a quick little knit and only take MAYBE a skein, so if you are trying to destash this is a very worthy and cool thing to do!! (ps NO I haven't followed Dr orders - I'm knitting!)

Then last night I started to think more about “with every stitch, it saved my life” and it really started to hit home on a more personal level. I’ve always knitted or crocheted to some extent. I’d start a project, it would sit in the closet and maybe I would finish it. I think the only time I really work diligently on anything was Stephi’s christening gown, and that was because I was on bed rest.

But in May of this past year, prior to knowing about the tumors, prior to Fiber Therapy, my life really was the $hit$. My relationship with the world was miserable and I found myself alone in a room filled with people. I had placed someone in my life that had no right being there and ended up draining me of my life spirit. Looking back, I don’t blame them for this I gave that power … but when they were gone, I was left with only the person I saw in the mirror and I didn’t like her very much … not much at all.

I wandered into a friendly place, you know the place that everyone knows your name … fortunately its Michael’s and not a bar… and found the most sensual fiber. I didn’t know what I was going to make but I knew I had to have it… and stitch by stitch, I made a blanket for Laura’s daughter. But more importantly, I know that with each stitch I was rebuilding ME. I was able to look into me, reflect who I was, and see where I was and what I wanted to do with ME during those hours of quiet. I was able to leave the dark hole of my room, rejoin my family, be a part of their world, and still stitch by stitch rebuild my world with them there. It was an amazing process that I began, and I thank my friends that I have made along of helping me in getting through it.

The funniest part of all this is that person that I thought I needed in my life came back this weekend. Although it was nice to see them, I realized that I'm not the person that I once was. Yes, we all grown and change, but it is has been with every stitch I became a stronger person. It’s been through my fiber, my friends, my blogs and my family that I have seen all the beauty out there. Maybe it’s the colors in the yarn, maybe its creating something from nothing, or maybe it’s after 43 years, I FINALLY believe in me.

But yes … with EVERY stitch, we save a life!

Into the Closet

2008-03-04T09:34:00.000-08:00

2008 is the year to get it all together… I mean after last year nothing else could go wrong, right?

ENTER THE CHIROPRACTOR… (This is where you place the dark music, the thunder and lighting, and fear strikes the heart of men!)

Since my first surgery in July, I have been having increasing pain in my right shoulder. I thought it was because when we went camping, MAYBE I slept on a rock … ok I’m naïve. One of the women I work with who is a Sports Med specialist (what she is doing being the Event Manager for ArtWalk I will never know – but I would be lost without her) suggested that instead of sitting her in pain I actually get my @$$ to a chiropractor and see if there is something wrong.

I HATE MY DOCTOR!

Seriously I don’t – Dr S is a dream but he had me hooked to so many sensors doing electoral analysis to see whether I was leaning left or right… and I didn’t like what I saw. Apparently with all my years as a Cheerleader (ok everyone wipe your keyboard clean from the soda you just spit out!) and then the years of caring children and high heels I have totally destroyed my back!! Yeah the 5-south “S” curve is less curvy than what I have going on! So here is the diagnosis

The good news - If I take it easy, go in for corrections and stop doing the “flying Russian splits” (all you cheerleaders know what I’m talking about lol) I should be ok. No more lifting items more than 7 lbs for right now, back to proper posture and all that good stuff our mothers taught us that we thought was stupid and we could forget.

The bad news – I’m on KNITTING RESTRICTION! Ok there was a lot more he told me I couldn’t do, but seriously I’m suppose to stop using the muscles! I tried to explain to him I’m a CPA and I use the same muscles when I’m using a 10-key … hmm that did NOT buy me any street cred at ALL!

So what am I going to do?! Well, I have my Yarn Yummies of dying – no joke I have been looking into working with Stephi on her etsy store and maybe selling some hand dyed yarn, I can organize for the SD Wild Fire Blanket Project…

… but I know me, in about 2 days I’m going to look at my yarn and pick it up and hide in the closet so Robert doesn’t see me and knit! Yup I’m going to be officially IN the closet! Oh well there’s a nice light in there, and with a few extra pillows and my I-pod... it might just be damn cozy!

A lovely weekend to DYE!

2008-03-03T15:06:00.000-08:00

It was a GORGEOUS day in San Diego yesterday!! The type of day when all you want to do is find excuses to play outside... and I did!

Robert and I went yarn hunting and I found some great deals on wool for MORE Lucy bags … can you believe that I have had this pattern for 6 months just hiding in my stash and NOW I can’t stop making them (don’t ask me what I’m going to do with these things, but everyone better be surprised if they get one for a birthday, anniversary, RAOK or Christmas gift!!)
So needless to say out came the dying pot and the dyes and SHAZAM! We have a mess on the patio and colors galore!!

This baby is called MEADOW :

The variegated pink – really has no name yet, but the pink tie-dye is called SWEETHEART and not sure if someone is going to be gifted the yarn … or the project!

Tonight I’ve decided to play with the color BLUE (seeing how my hands are still stained pink and red!) so let’s see what happens with all that. Thank goodness I live in San Diego … Connecticut is about 46 degrees today and under another threat of freezing rain.

It was HIS Birthday but I got the presents!!

2008-02-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

My Dishcloth Exchange Partner SOOOO spoiled me and my presents came in on Rob's birthday ! Looks at all the pretty gifts I got to unwrap!

The kids tried really hard to swipe the chocolate and all the nummies but I won!! And look at that BEAUTIFUL tape measure cozy! I'm SOOO spoiled!! Thank you Alana for an amazing swap!

You are more than welcome to come knit with us in San Diego any time ... but you have to teach me those patterns :) Thank you AGAIN for all the goodies!!! I can't wait to do the Spring swap now ... but until then I'm going to go back to making some dishcloths with my new, pretty cotton!!

You Jump - I Jump!

2008-02-27T16:32:00.000-08:00

I've been on the ledge today and either needs someone to talk me in - or in the words of Titanic "I jump you jump" ... or something like that!

Knitting - crocheting - fiber in general has become my world of escape and I really didn't realize how much until last night when something unsettling happened and while we were trying to figure out how to get from point A to D without tripping on B and C I exclaimed "don't mind my knitting it calms my nerves."

Laughter EVERYWHERE!! Robert couldn't contain himself when he said "you knit when you are happy, sad or bored!!" And the funny thing is he's got a point to that! Which made me look around at all I've been making lately and all my yarn (and I'm not including the HUGE amounts in the garage and Robert's new "Car Cozy") ...
and I got to thinking ... What have I been doing with my fiber addiction this week ?

I started and finished another Lucy bag, this time in a brown and gold Fibonacci Sequence (for those that might not know it’s after 1, each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers such as 1, 1, 2, 3, 5 etc – yup I’m a Math geek!) I made it a bit taller than I intended too but overall it wasn’t too bad. The single knitted rows didn’t show as much as I would have liked, but overall the experience was good, and I might repeat again only next time start at 2 on the sequence and also consider the base of the bag as a part of the sequence.

I also re-found my fascination with Kool-Aid dying wool. I found a bunch of gold Paton’s on sale at Michael’s for $1 a skein and that is TOO good of a deal to walk away from and especially with my new love of felting, I thought I would venture back to the dying side and see what happen.

Step 1:

Step 2: (after 7 packages of Lemon-Lime)

A rather variegated Moss Wool that didn’t turn out too bad. I’m going to use it for a small felt bag or I-pod cozy or bowl or something, but I’m definitely not going to give up! I’m already thinking about what colors I can use to over-dye another skein and see what I get and what other methods I can do. This is a cheap fun way of playing with color and right now I need distraction!!

The good news in life – drum roll – Robert and I FINALLY booked our anniversary cruise... with kids in tow but come this fall we will be in the Mexican Riveria! Each one of us is looking forward to something – Michael wants to play mini golf on the top desk, Stephi loves her Soda Card and Dance, Dance Revolution, but I think Mom and Dad are most looking forward to the hours that we can just sit and watch the waves and the world, he with his book, me with my knitting and us side by side. Yeah, life don’t get much better than that!

And I have to thank my mother in law today … although I haven’t seen or heard from her in over 10 years, because 40 years ago today she gave birth to the most wonderful man – MY HUBBY! Yep – after calling the Old Man 4-0 for the last 3 years – he finally IS 40! So thank you Lorraine and Happy Birthday Handsome – I love you more every day!!

Knock Wood!

2008-02-19T15:21:00.001-08:00

Well, I think the Smith Family has “officially” gotten rid of all the yuckies this flu season can provide … either that or I’m just not going to acknowledge it anymore. I’m so tired of being sick! I told Robert it feels like all I have done since the beginning of 2008 is lay in bed sick, but he very quickly reminded me that I’m in a MUCH better place than I was then at the end of 2007 and after the surgery and the tumors. Right on Robert!

For our anniversary though the boy DID make everyone at work take note, I didn’t just get flowers ON the 13th, but I got 2 dozen roses then and another 2 dozen on the 15th … just because… yeah he’s a keeper. (I know, I know – hush up and get to the good stuff … where is the FIBER!!)

I FINALLY started and completed my first Lucy Bag! It was AMAZING and super easy and absolutely perfect for knitting while being sick on the couch. Once I got through the increases of a crochet cast-on this thing was a no brainer!! Started it on Sunday the 10th and finished and felted by the 16th, I did the thing in Paton’s Classic Wool I found at Michael’s on clearance for $2/skein and it 2 and a bit skeins. I’ll proberly use the remaining wool for an I-pod holder for Stephi or maybe a cell phone cozy … not sure, but this was one GREAT pattern (so much so I’m already on my second one and this time I’m adding color!!)

Also, made Stephi a pair of hand warmers. I cannot believe just how useful these things are in “sunny” San Diego! Robert and I ended up going to dinner the other night at the Beach House in Cardiff (dinner was LITERALLY on the beach with candlelight!) and boy did my hands get cold. Pattern is SUPER easy and mindless and seem to be the hit at my knitting group. Hopefully in the next few days I can write it down and get it out to everyone that has asked me for it… sheesh pattern writing sure is a pain in the butt!

So other than GREAT knitting time, I DID stumble across a book I have to shout about and tell all my crochet friends about. There is NOT a single pattern in this thing that you will NOT love! Maureen and I drooled over everything on Saturday and I went and got Cotton Ease for one of the designs for our cruise!

Seriously, you can't go wrong with this book!! Whether you are a x-small (I won't even say I hate you...) or a 3X, Doris Chan does a great job of describing size ease and making sure that the patterns will work for EVERY shape and size!!

Oh I have to REALLY crow - as any mother would - as most of you know I started homeschooling Stephanie in November for a multiple of reasons. On Friday we got her grades, and she is carrying 30 credits in a homeschool enviroment where she has to be self-motivated and really push herself (and us at times) and I have to say the girl got STRAIGHT A's!!! RIGHT ON STEPH!! Needless to say there will be some special mom and kid time this week... I'm SO proud!!

17 years ago ...

2008-02-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

Did anyone see where the week went? Dammit! I KNOW I saw it here somewhere – but it’s been CRAZY!

On Friday I was BACK in the hospital – yay me – with Bronchitis … but I was good, just sat there waiting for the doctor and doing my hookah breathing treatment while crocheting my new purple shawl for ME. I fell in love with Vanna’s yarn so I decided to design something soft for me. I’m not sure if it was the medicine or exhaustion from not breathing, but got about 1/8th of the way done, nearly one skein, and well, to the FROG POND we went… so the beautiful soft purple yarn is now sitting on my desk taunting me to be re-worked into the shawl.

The really bad part about getting sick again is, other than the obvious, Robert and I are celebrating our wedding anniversary today!! OMG yes we got married the day BEFORE Valentine’s day… actually we eloped to Vermont to the most romantic place in the world and during a blizzard nevertheless. He asked me to marry him, and although over the years we both seem to have a different version now of what happen, YES he had to convince me to marry him with the excuse that if once we got to Vermont (we were living in Connecticut) I didn’t want to go through with this we could go skiing.

The truth is that about 17 years ago we met on the internet – when there was NO instant messaging and when you REALLY had to pay for each email you sent. I was looking for a friend only to go to the movies with (after all CT is NOT that exciting) and he was there temporarily working for the government on building Blank Hawk helicopters. He wrote me this wonderful 6 page email telling me about how he would love a movie friend and would I meet him for dinner that Friday night and then we could go see something.

I was going to stand him up since CT was having one of the worse Nor’easters of the decade, but we had agreed to met at the bar I was working at my co-worker called me on my mom’s phone telling me what a great guy he was … and he was drinking coffee (OMG who drinks COFFEE in a BAR!) He was on MY phone calling me the roads were safe and he was there and hoped I could make it. I did end up going and I’m forever grateful that I did – 15 minutes into sitting there I told my friend I could see myself dating this guy and maybe spending the rest of my life with him!!

Dinner turned into an 18 hour date of conversation and I knew that he was the one and by the end of the date – he asked me to marry him. YES! YES!! YES!!! And if either of my kids did this now I would be force to lock them away in a tower with a fire breathing dragon, but 17 years ago, it was different (now I KNOW I’m getting old!!)

We drove to Vermont in the blizzard, were married in the Town Hall by the Minister who was also busy plowing the streets and then drove back to home. I-95 looked like a scene from Dr Zhivago and it was magical and maybe it set the tone for the whole marriage thing, but I never regret that decision. We have our share of rough times, but we still feel like we are dating even after 2 kids. He IS my best friend, the person I can share all my thoughts with and tell all my secrets too. I still get giddy when it gets close to the time when he comes home from work, and hate that weekends only last for 2 days!

Happy Anniversary Robert – you have made the last 17 years a wonderful journey and I cannot wait to see what travels we take on the next trillion years together.

(ps we didn’t get to see our first movie until we were married for 2 months. Too funny!!)

Taco Tuesday!

2008-02-05T14:45:00.001-08:00

Tonight Laura and I are going to have our Taco Tuesday Night. We must have been doing this at least once a month for the past 8 years and seriously, it’s not about the Margarita or the buck taco but it’s very much about the girl time. (ok maybe it’s a LITTLE about the Margarita ... but hey who know that 2 Margaritas COULD cost $57 – Laura you needed to flirt more that night!!)

All joking aside, these are the nights that she and I can be “girls” not “moms”. Not have to remember that her daughter is going through a divorce or that my kids are being typical teenagers. These are the nights that we remember how we became friends all those years ago at the not so “quiet” parties when one of us would dance on tables and have an “Officer and Gentleman” moment with her guy (blush – guilty as charged - and he looked GOOD!!)

Robert calls me her “Wing Girl” and she calls me her personal “GPS”; I call her my soul sister and confidant. I can tell her ANYTHING and she has NEVER judged me, but then again it goes both ways. Not to say that we haven’t made decisions that pissed the other off immensely (usually Testosterone based) but ultimately, I think what has made us last is that we never ever do the old “I told you so” (ok , ok maybe once I got the EVIL EYE with the Poker dude .. but she WAS right!)

Four years ago, I moved to be closer to her, and she lives so close to Michael’s school that when I drop him off in the morning its always “There’s Ms. Laura’s” … needless to say I adore this woman. Not in the creepy way ,but the way that I’m really blessed to have her in my life. She’s Number 5 on my cell speed dial since she is always in the middle of my life and there when I need her! And her ringtone is "You are Beautiful" since she is inside and out!

Anyways, tonight is Margarita’s and Tacos… and in the 11th hour I finished her blanket! Hopefully she will have it on her bed or couch, and Nicholas and Jennifer are NO WHERE near it. Asher (her grandbaby) is ok, since he’s an innocent, but I’ve seen what her kids can do to a room. Nope, this is for her, for when I’m not able to answer my phone to tell her it’s ok to be sad because some guy was a jerk. This is for her to wrap around her when things get tough and the day is too hard and the only thing that will help is Chocolate Ice Cream. This is for her, to know how very glad I am that she came to my party that night of so long ago and we didn’t like the same guy. This is for her … for being her and my friend.

Super Bowl Sunday = Knitting Sunday!

2008-02-04T15:06:00.000-08:00

Yes - I know I was SUPPOSE to cheer for the San Diego Chargers … Yes, I KNOW I was supposed to be excited by my PATRIOTS going 18 – 0 to Super Bowl 42 … but damn, I was more excited by the fact that I was KNITTING 2 socks on 1 needle!

I have had it with the second sock syndrome so I figure if I was making hats for all this time on circular (who knew there was something called a “Magic Loop” method, it was always called “the easiest way NOT to have a seam by my grandmother!) I knew I could make 2 socks at once on 1 needle.

Ok, maybe I should have tried ONE sock first … but I’ve never been one to travel the road easily traveled (In fact my favorite poem is Robert Frost’s “The Road Less Traveled”) so I have the ribbing done and about an inch of the leg done. The yarn is a wonderful soft gift from my birthday, but I have a feeling that Stephi is going to be getting these once they are done. The pattern … well there really isn’t any yet that I can quote since I wanted to stay VERY simple, so I figured a 3 x 1 for the sock would be easy and not distract from the learning process.

So between cheering the Pats on yesterday and patting myself on the back for my accomplishment, I made a pair of Ninja Fingerless Gloves (thank you Corinne for hooking me up!) Who would have thought that in San Diego you would need hand warmers, but lately it’s necessary! I did these with Vanna’s yarn and now I know why everyone loves it – OMG this is soooo soft!! Pattern knitted on size 10-1/2 needles took MAY 4 hours but a lot of fun and well worth it. And Yep – the kids want a pair!!

I also did manage to update my Flickr page with my Finished Objects for the year. Mostly small, quick, instant gratification projects (baby hats and dishcloths) but I stayed busy and happy. Now my goal is to finish the last 10 rows on the blanket for Laura and get it over to her for the House … she’s only been in it for 2 months but hey, I can claim “I was in the hospital” ok I can’t with her she knows me too well!!

So thankfully football is over, I organized, … hey, when does Baseball start??

Resolutions - revisited

2008-01-28T16:13:00.001-08:00

Dear Gentle Readers:

Friday was my birthday … 43 looks like it is going to be amazing and now January has nearly come to a close and it has flown by with such speed! Is this how 2008 is going to be? I hope not because very honestly this is MY YEAR – this is the year we will rock!!

I re-read my resolutions just a few minutes ago to make sure I was on track and thought I would update everyone … to make sure I’m still going strong.

1 – Regarding my: To live for today - but plan for tomorrow plan... it seems to be working. Mind you we have been living on ONE; yes ONE paycheck for the entire month (I still have yet to get any disability for January since we thought I was only going to be out of work for 4 short weeks and not the 7-hyper-week plan) but we are making it. Tonight I am going to make the FINAL payment on my car – god that is a HUGE relief.

I have returned to my job with the Entertainment Company, and yes it feels good, but the knowledge that I earned while I was gone is still with me. Robert has been worried that I would forget, but I haven’t its there. I love what I do, and even who I do it with, but I did open my eyes as to the fact it IS a job, my children, my husband and my life are my most valued possession and come before everything else.

2 - To keep our friends close and never forget them. True how true. Lisa and Corinne are my “partners in fiber” but I have realized that I am truly blessed with so many lovely people that touch my life, and I hope I do the same for them. Karla, Maureen, Susan, Virginia … my Fiber Therapy knitting group. Amazing, talented people who have brought so much into my life. Every Saturday we sit outside at Panera in Mira Mesa and “spin our tales” of family, friends, work, and or course works. I can’t imagine a week without them – and the strange part is that it wasn’t even a year ago that Knitting in Public was something I had only dreamed about and never met any of these ladies. I was alone in the world of Cyberspace and knitted in solitary. There is a time and place for that… but why hide, when this is SO much more fun?!

The San Diego Blanket Project is doing AMAZING stuff – we have had so much positive response from those that donate squares and those that receive the blankets. I won’t lie, there are moments when I want to just STOP – like when someone who I thought was a “helper” decides that SHE is going to tell ME how to run the project because SHE wants some of the donations from our vendors for herself (HA! – won’t happen!) or when I spend hours in the garage matching squares and “forget” to help Michael with his homework because it got too late and its now bed time… but all the sacrifices will never discourage the joy and satisfaction I feel when I place one completed blanket into the hands of someone who did nothing wrong to lose their home, other than be in the path of the fire storm.

So here we are – 1/12th of the way done with 2008 and it’s amazing! Come on board and buckle up - the journey is going to be over way to quick so let’s enjoy EVERY MOMENT we can!!

Monkey off my back!

2008-01-22T10:49:00.000-08:00

I've still been in my cleaning spree lately (which is REALLY scaring the kids to no end - insert evil, wicked laugh here!) but after watching hours and hours of Clean House, Mission Organization and Clean Sweep while on bed rest I really got motivated.

So I cleaned my yarn stash and had several skeins of sock yarn. I had this delusion that I would knit socks like my friend Lisa, who seems to be able to crank out a pair a week. Well, that was last summer and it never materialized but deep in the darkest corner of one of my MANY knitting bags was a 1/2 done Monkey sock. Unfinished and unloved. I was ready to frog the thing and give the yarn to some deserving home ... but something came over me ... almost taunting me ... that I MUST finishing this poor UFO.

Saturday night out came the pattern - Up came the needles and the fiber was flying! Last night I was successful in casting off my Monkey!!

I've already got the second sock on the needles and ready to go. I'm looking at other patterns so that I can use what stash I have - now as long as I do not see ANY sales ... I think I will be good (fingers and toes cross) ... but oohhh the super wash feels SOOO nice!

Its been a LOOOONNNGGG week!

2008-01-18T19:45:00.000-08:00

Last night as I crawled out my car and into my warm, cozy house, this was the terrific site I saw from my front door.It sort of reminds me of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (one of my fav books!) where Lucy meets Mr Tumnas in Narnia. Ok, maybe I am still exhausted, but work with me.

Oh man, I was SO not ready to go back to work! I walked in on Monday and my desk.. well what I THOUGHT was my desk was a MESS!! For nearly 7 weeks there was NO ONE doing the accounting in my company and BOY did it show!! Plus we had a major event in Dubai and another in Palm Dessert ... yeah this was NOT the week to go back. (I really believe that my co workers believed I was on vacation and not in the hospital .. but oh well !)

But I am REALLY proud though of what i did on Sunday BEFORE going back to work.... I actually cleaned my HOME office. I knew i was going to need my sanctuary when I came home and I needed this SO much. In fact the kids have found me in here every night since Monday.

Now let me explain, my office REALLY is in the closet... see!

But its cozy, quiet and right off our bedroom! And its got a place for my fax machine and my stash (yes Lisa that really IS all I have now!)

And I have a filing cabinet now for ALL my hooks and needles(up on tops and then my magazines are in the bottom all happy and cozy too. Ok, ok I know... I need a life right? But I really LOVE my office and MY space .. and its the ONCE place that the kids can't bug me too much... and best of all its ALL MINE!!

Dinner parties, friends ... DISHCLOTHS!!!

2008-01-10T09:06:00.000-08:00

Last evening I held a Post-Holiday Party (called yes Virginia, there is a Fiber Claus!) and I have to say, i will NEVER EVER hold a holiday party BEFORE the holiday again!! I had 7 of my members of my knitting group join me for dinner - and it was the BEST night I have had in a long time!!

There was A LOT of bonding and only 1 drink on the table (and we even had a gentleman knitter with us) and the conversation was everything from what was on sale at Michael's to politics's to the Blanket Project. What an AMAZING night ... and what a let down when it was over!! Can't wait to have the one in Pot-Luck Therapy Session in February!!

I DID find out from Corinne that I missed Anne's posting of the Dish Cloth questioner.. so I am posting today.... So here we are BEAT THE DOLDRUMS #1 Questions!

1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both? Been crocheting since I was 6 and knitting since I was 10 .. and usually have one project of each going in my bag. Maybe someday I'll attempt a BUG knitting project but for now those are saved for my crochet projects.

2. What types of needles do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? Been using my tired and true Boyd size 6 purple metal knitting needles since I started making the dishcloths. I DID treat myself the other day at Michael's and bought another (uh-ah) pair, but I just like the feel of the metal when I'm working with cotton.

3. What types of cotton do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? Peaches n' Cream, Sugar n' Cream ... was going to try some of the Cotton Tots, but I figure for the amount of work I make these little things going through, the strong the thread the better!!
Is there any that you've been wanting to try? I would love to try a nice Egyptian cotton and make a WONDERFUL facecloth ... but I KNOW t would find its way into a kid's room and that would be the end of that!

4. What color(s) are your kitchen and bath decorated in (if any)? (yawn) white... so ANY color is GREAT!!

5. What are your favorite colors for yarns? Least favorite? I'm always drawn to the bright colors but lately have noticed I'm pulling more and more green's out of my stash ... but purple and violet are my FAV colors of all time! Least favorite is the dark browns and dark greys.

6. Do you like Winter, or do you count the days until it ends? San Diego's winter is about 6 days long - although this year I think we are at 9 .. so I really enjoy it!

7. What's your favorite way to brighten your day when you're down in the dumps? Other than playing with fiber?? hmm... probably talking to my Fiber friends!!

8. What is your favorite treat to indulge in and when your down in the dumps? Read my friends blogs, go outside to knit .. and sneak an occasional M&M!

9. Do you drink coffee? Tea? Cocoa? White cocoa is the newest MUST HAVE in the house!

10. If you could take a vacation starting tomorrow and go anywhere for one week and money were no object, where would you go and what would you do? I would LOVE to go back to Vermont, especially now! White River Junction is one of my all time favorite places in the world, and I really miss the ice on the trees and the crunch of the snow under my boots. Oh wait I don't have snow boots!!

11. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should be aware of? Just to getting up for work on Monday mornings!

So there it is... a peak into the fun-house of ME! :)

I'm a Dish Cloth Junkie!

2008-01-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's here! It's here!! An"Defeat the Winter Doldrums" dish cloth swap....

The very first swap I ever did was a dishcloth swap ... and here is the WINTER version. These swaps are SO much fun - My friend Corinne right here in San Diego and I really got to "bond" over our love of these little sweet candies, and I met a fantastic Craft demon - although she calls herself the YARN demon - Anita you make some of the most AWESOME things in the world!!

I highly recommend this swap to EVERYONE - knitters and crocheters! The committement isn't big, registration runs until Janaury 11, and let's be serious... these dish clothes are a GREAT step to being a bit mroe GREEN in 2008.

So hope over to the the site - and register ... I promise you won't regret it!

Cleaning and de-stashing!

2008-01-04T18:36:00.000-08:00

I'm in my cleaning mode. I went to Wally Mart today, got the required plastic bins for storage and started to clean. OMG the stuff I found!!

Well, as many of my Fiber Friends will tell you I'm the QUEEN of the Acrylic.. so I know when I de-stash there is NO ONE that wants to trade with me... but I did find a BUNCH of patterns that I have collected over the years that I know I will NEVER EVER make now, so rather than have them go from pile A to pile B, I thought I would try a De-stash of my pattern books here. What the heck right??

1. 7- CROCHET WITH HEART Magazines Presented by Leisure Arts(Oct 1996 - August 1997) I think these are now out of print but all are in great condition. Lots of afghan patterns , some really quite patterns for cotton thread, and even a few "Classic" style sweaters. The books each retailed for $4.95 each but I'm looking to de-stash the set of 7 for only $7.

2. AFGHANS FOR ALL SEASONS- an Oxmoor House / Leisure Arts publication. Copyright 1993. Some written notes in margins, but nothing that distracts from the patterns / instructions. Retailed at $14.95 - de-stash at only $4!

3. Baby Layettes and outfit pattern books from Leisure Arts. Leaflets #: 643, 758, 877, 2488 and 2537. This is a mixture of knit and crochet patterns for assorted yarn weights. I made lots of these when i was preggers with my first, not so many when I was expecting the second. Valued at over $20, all 5 pattern leaflets de-stashed at $5 for set!

4. MORE baby patterns - but this time these are the Red Heat booklets number: 344, 299, and 336. Some layettes, blankets and cozy little sweaters and booties. Crochet and knit mix. All three booklets de-stashed at $1 for set!

5. Who doesn't love a good Afghan pattern? Here are two crochet booklets - Leisure Arts leaflet # 2312 Irresistible Ripples and Red Heart Afghan - the Mile a Minute Way book #1415. De-stashed together for only $1!

If you want any of these patterns in your collections, email me at gasmith @ gmail.com for the paypal info and pay the stated price plus the actual postage. All the funds I raise from this cleaning spree will go to the San Diego Wild Fire Blanket Projects supplies. Thanks for looking and help!

Better late than never ....

2008-01-03T11:42:00.001-08:00

This was the year that I was making resolutions. 2007 was a BAD year for the family, nearly losing Stephi, me with 2 surgeries, and what seemed like a year of chasing of our tail, Robert and I took a long hard look at where the past 17 years have taken us and where we would like to go.

So after much thinking we came up with the following (and hopefully by exposing myself to the world i will be forcing myself to keep them - we can hope right?!)

To live for today - but plan for tomorrow. Although a job or career is a necessary evil in the past few weeks we both have learned that the money pays the bills but it doesn't make us happy. As long as we can wake up every morning next to each other, with the children down the hall from us, then the world is a much easier place to face. So today, we handle the small hurdles, tomorrow - well tomorrow, will be easier from the lesson of today.

To keep our friends close and never forget them. Both Robert and I are "orphans" and have no extended family. We have made our friends our family and if it wasn't for the few people in my cell phone (you know who you all are!!) I can call to rescue us when times seem the worse, or lend a shoulder, or better hang out and share the laughs with, the world would be a lot less fun. Thank you for the call on New Year Eve when I would be alone, and making me know I wasn't. You guys are AWESOME - and are my sisters in my heart!!

To fill a map of the States, and maybe the World of all the places we WANT to see and then SEE them. I use to HATE road trips, it was what my father did to me when he and mom would fight, but now Robert and I want to grab the kids, the ice chest and the camping gear and GO! The other day, Stephi asked me if we would really go to all the places we were dreaming of, and all I could say was "Why not?!" So time to pack backpack and keep it at the ready.

To knit / crochet more and blog more about it. My Nonny made SO many beautiful things in her lifetime and so few things have survived the generations that have passed. I would like to try to keep a record of what I make this year and for who. I've already started my Flickr account just for this. *ok this was MY resolution lol*

And most importantly, to love more, to laugh more and to remember that its all not personal. There are "not nice, selfish" people in the world who will try to hurt us by saying or doing things that will make themselves feel better by hurting others, and that is NOT OUR PROBLEM. We should remember its not personal, and to take our own life and and enjoy that we are given.

So there it is - out there for all to see and to make me accountable. They weren't hard to make, and I hope they wont be hard to keep...

(ps in all the Holiday hustle and bustle, my little baby boy managed to turn a year older on me an is now 12!! Damn, were did the time go.... Happy Birthday Michael! You are truly my Christmas gift!!)

Monogomy!

2008-01-02T22:45:00.001-08:00

I learned a lot last year about myself and about my hobby ... and I've discovered I'm a cheater! (hang head)

Years ago, back when I would sit for hours with my Nonny (my Italian grandmother) and crochet the afternoon away while my mother was working, we would work on one project until it was done.... ah, the good ole' days!

Not anymore! I looked in my yarn bag, well the one that I am using THIS week (thank you Susan!) and I have only 2 projects in there. Laura, as most of you know just bought her house, and I decided to make her an old fashion ripple blanket for her bedroom. Usually I'm good with color - but this one I had to frog 3 times, I just didn't like how things laid out, but now I'm very happy.

The funny part was I bought the yarn for this the week before the surgery and had always planned on lilac, soft green and cream as the colors, but Stephi was worried that the colors were all wrong so she asked Ms Laura what her fav colors were... and guess what??? Lilac and soft green!! hmmmm one point to mom!

The other project I'm working on is a Fridget! Living in San Diego I miss my LONG (REALLY LONG- like Dr Who 13' length) scarves, but I was reading Julie's web the other day and saw this project and WOW! I had to make it!! Its a BLAST - 2 days on and off the needles!

So I'm a cheater, but at least its 1 crochet and 1 knitting project.. so is that really cheating or just sensible? (ps no one look in any of the other 3 yarn bags around the house... then my TRUE cheater colors will show!)

Getting Through to Our Kids

2007-12-25T23:08:00.000-08:00

I just a to share something that I received for the holidays.

Every year since Robert and I met I get a Nutcracker. I'm not sure how the tradition started - maybe because I use to dance ballet when I was little and I told him, or because one of the first movies that we saw was The Nutcracker with Macaulay Culkin (3 minutes into the movie we were SOUND asleep - it was a dark, warm movie theatre - we had no excuse!) but the tradition has grown and now every year I receive some of the sweetest Nutcrackers you will ever see... including the one that Robert made me from scratch that is an exact replica to the one in the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland and is from the Nightmare from Christmas.

Oh I'm rambling... sorry. the point of the gift is that it can't be ANY nutcracker - it has to mean something for the year that has happened. Well this is the one that my son got me this year

This one will always have a special meaning to me because No, I'm not a firefighter nor is Robert. But Michael's reason behind it was simply "Mom, you are doing so much for those that lost everything to the fire, this is the only thing I wanted to get you!"

Yep, he got it! He understands the long phone calls, and the late dinners, the nights that I go to tuck him into bed and he's already asleep because I was out in the garage working, or the daily trips we make to the Post office.

Yep - he got it!! Sometimes we wonder as parents are we doing "it" right. there is no manual to follow yet this simple gesture and his sweet words lets me know that I might not always make the right choices, but yeah, I think we are doing it ok!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

'Cause I got a bit of Christmas!

2007-12-24T15:38:00.000-08:00

It’s Christmas Eve! And the spirit has truly captured my heart this year. Trust me this year seems to have “blown chunks” (Stephi’s words) – but today I thought I’d do a bit of an inventory:

Robert and I are together – despite 2 hospital visits and 1 DNR question we are ending the year together and more in love than we were 17 years ago when we eloped after our only knowing each other a few hours.

I have 2 incredible, smart, and amazing children. Despite having nearly losing my daughter in a hospital stay, despite when the bullies at her High School taunted her and made her hate herself – she overcame their crap and now is home schooling with a terrific support system. My son – is riding a 2-wheel bike and the first semester with his first bunch of A’s ever!!

I have found a terrific bunch of friends through my knitting and crocheting group (my grandmother would be so happy) A day without chatting to Corinne sometimes feels like a day without sunshine, or reading Anita’s blog feels like I’m missing out on something. Staying in touch with Karla, Lisa, Susan and countless other … well I know I can count on them and often do (hope they realize I’m there for them too!)

And my BFF and I are still BFF (Hey Paris, Brittany, Nicole and all you others, the key is staying by each other good OR bad!) and she bought her first house! And despite her closing schedule spent a night at the hospital with me! And we laugh when look back at the last 7 years and see how much we have changed and how much we haven’t and how much we are alike and then totally different.

So looks like I got my Christmas presents already – I’m here – I’m breathing – I’m loved and in love and I am so blessed. Happy Holidays everyone!!

Crush of the Week!

2007-12-17T09:25:00.000-08:00

During my time home “recuperating” from surgery – and working from a laptop and getting more phone calls from my office than I can to have answered – I got a chance to catch up on a BUNCH of Martha Stewart, Carroll Devall’s and my food Network Shows.

First let me say that I have one of the most understandings, wonderful and giving husband. That man has heard TOO many times “honey, I’m out of yarn” and has gone out to the garage or Michael’s or wherever I asked to get me what I needed. This is a man who has been working for the same company for the past 4 years and been putting in over 15 hour days at the office for that long, coming home getting phone calls that lasted TOO long at the dinner table from people that still wanted him to put “more face time” in the office and still took care of our two kids and me this month better than I could ever had dream about. This is also the guy that every time I would wander in to the living room or down to the kid’s room would make the bed up again for me just so I would be comfy! This guy isn’t just my hubby; he’s my best friend and the guy I dreamed of all my life.

I say all this because during my TV flipping I’ve told him I’ve told him I’ve become obsessed with Robert Irvine of Dinner Impossible on Food Network. Ok, this chef is English (one of my downfalls) has ‘guns’ that can make you swoon from 40 yard (second downfall) and DAMN this man can cook!!! He is the MacGyver of the kitchen – Robert you have 7 hours to cook for 1000 people and have no equipment and can only use the food in the mall and you have no experience staff- and this dude DOES IT!! OMG – can I have him just make ONE dinner for me for a family of 4 in 4 hours – and oh yah – loss the shirt baby!!

Card Carrying Member!

2007-12-08T18:46:00.000-08:00

I went and did it. I went and had the horrible “Uterus” removed this week and now I’m apparently part of “The Club” that you automatically join once you get rid of the thing.

Personally, I’m still trying to get over the feeling that a part of me that I came in to this world with is gone … of course it was after a VERY long surgery. And apparently I was a “Trouble Maker” – my doctors words not mine … although perhaps several of my friends might agree. I was suppose to be able to have the surgery and was even offer the chance to have a local … HAHAHAH don’t they know this girl doesn’t do anything the easy way??? Oh no I had a full blown surgery with a re-cut of my C-section since my fibroids were tricky devils and hide behind places and in the dark corners that we didn’t expect.

But nevertheless I made it. For someone who never had major surgery and was scared of it, I think I managed very well. Regardless of a broken IV, 2 blood draws that I didn’t know I was having done and hospital food – which was surprisingly good, I made it. And yes M, I was making a big deal of it – you know what, it was my right!! After hearing all the terror tales that “friends” like you told me and were 180 degrees against what my doctor would say, I am surprised I was able to walk through the doors so well!

The nurses at Mary-Birch are amazing! I’m sure all nurses are, as evidenced by my Gail from my knitting circle. But these ladies held my hand when I couldn’t cry and had long meaningful talks with me over things like (gasp) knitting! Christi, my night nurse, and Denise, my morning nurse (who became a RN today!!) are two wonderful souls who I don’t know I would have made it through without them. Merilee in pre-op was a welcome sight who understood that I needed, not just wanted, but physically needed like having Robert hold my hand before the surgery. Ever curve ball I threw, these ladies were able to handle.

The funniest part of this whole experience was that there were some people that actually expected me to answer my cell phone the day of the surgery … and I’m not just talking about my boss (who still compares the surgery to a D&C!). OMG can you see it, IV in one arm, and the cell in another! What a sight – I know I’m driven but seriously??? LOL

I did get a chance to get LOTS of squares done in the hospital – poor Nurse Cora thought she lost my crochet hook. And I did a bunch of skull caps for a program in NJ that distributes hats to the homeless. I think I made at least 2 phone calls with the cry “I’m out of yarn!”

So I guess I’m a member of the club. I wonder when my membership card arrives.

When Bullies Rule The World ...

2007-11-28T09:40:00.000-08:00

What have I been doing this week?

Other than the regular stress of a job, were my employer suddenly realized that I will be out for 6 weeks on medical leave and is NOW assigning me major projects which I only have about 4 days left to do. Or the stress of the holiday season and Michael’s 12th birthday and how I’m going to manage all that … what have I been doing this week?

I have been dealing with the stupidity of a public school system that allows bullies to slander my daughter and subject her to verbal ridicule to the point where this child now is physically sick and can now longer go to school and I am force to look for alternatives for her to get an education!

I know you are thinking – all children go through this. And you are right! Back when I went to school – and walked up hill both ways in the snow – I got ridiculed too. I was either to fat, too smart, too short, too loud, too something … but I have NEVER seen such mean spirit and evil children in my life. And worse it seems to be encouraged by not only the peers but the school system.

Really I’m not over reacting! Many of your will remember in September, just 4 days into the school year, Stephanie was hospitalized because of the vicious attack on her. Other children were “questioned” but nothing came out of it and no parents even blink an eyelash – as long as it wasn’t THEIR special Susie that was hurt. But now MY daughter has became the blunt of the very evil jokes and now rumors both by the student body but the school system itself. Seriously – if a fire alarm gets pulled 2,000 miles away, I will guarantee that the SD School System will call me to tell me not only did MY daughter pull it but there were 15 witnesses there who watched her do it!

Every day for the past 3 months I have gotten phone calls from the Vice Principal (pal – MY ASS!) who seems to like the drama just as much as her students and although she claims to be an “impartial” mediator I do not think that my child should have been brought into a room where there were 7 evil beings verbally attacking her and do nothing. I was not called until after my daughter was in hysterical. It took nearly 1-1/2 hours to calm her down, thus destroying any work related day I NEEDED to have.

I was told that I should consider removing her from the PUBLIC SCHOOL because she was a disruption! Excuse me??!! This VP just watched my daughter be SLANDERED (and this was a good one – where her reputation for YEARS has been destroyed!) and now I’m being told that she is no longer wanted in the public school system?!?!?!?!

Ok WHEN did the Bullies start to win?! I never thought I would understand why those children went to schools like Columbine and Santana High School (which by the way is about 16 miles east of me!) with guns! What have we done to our children?! How do we protect them? When did the bullies and the drama queens start to win and the good smart kids have to coward in the corners and fear for their life and futures?

I never thought I would be pulling my straight A student (who now barely can get a C in a class because of all the crap that she goes through that she can no longer concentrate on her studies) out of school. I have my fingers crossed that we are going to be accepted into a Charter / Homeschool program where I can raise her and protect her the way I need to. And what about Michael? What about the little person with all the learning disabilities that just learned to ride a bike the other month – what are the bullies going to do to him?!

Everyday I pray that I will have my children alive – and well and safe … but tell me – When did the bullies start winning, and HOW do we change the world for our children??!

Help Spread The Word ...

2007-11-25T19:18:00.000-08:00

I've never held a contest before but I thought the best way to help spread the word and keep the momentum up for the San Diego Wild Fire Blanket Project would be to have a "Spread the Word" contest!

Its fairly simply - my friends Anita and Lisa made this WONDERFUL button that supports the project. Simply "borrow" the code below and it will create a button on your blog which will show your support and also do a direct link to the web page for the project. to let me know that you have supported us, simply comment here and I will go visit your blog.

If a visitor to YOUR blog "borrows" the button, make sure they post to your blog and you then get and extra entry!! This is rather "chain letter-y" but I want to make sure that even through the holidays we keep the motivation up ... and this will keep me active during the surgery recovery time (all that blog jumping and counting!)

On December 22 (the 2 month anniversary of the day the fires broke out in San Diego County) I'll have Michael pull the 3 names of the winners! (although EVERYONE that supports this project is a winner in MY opinion!) Each name will receive 2 sets of handmade stitch markers from Zona Blue Designs (my daughter's Etsy business)!!

So please help me spread the word and keep up to momentum.. if you already have a button on your blog supporting the project, make sure you update with the "coded" button.

Thank you for your help!

Here's the code (as promised): *a href="http://www.blogger.com/"*
*a href="http://www.blogger.com/"**/a* (remove the * and replace with the correct <> ... of you have questions, please email me)

Change comes - slow and steady

2007-11-21T08:35:00.000-08:00

Last evening my children asked very innocently why am I doing the San Diego Wild Fire Project ... after all, at the time of the fire, I didn't know anyone personally that lost their home and all they were seeing was mom and dad stressing because of the holidays, my upcoming surgery and lack of a paycheck for 1 month due to a hospital stay, work in general and now this added stress from a project that grows expectationally each day!

I looked into my children's faces and couldn't find words for a moment. I mean this is what I was raised to do .. sort of. I was born in the 60's with Bob Dylan and Joan Baez singing of social change and how it takes just one person to make a difference, but I had older parents that were established in the community. So when some were protesting the change, my mom was in the kitchen baking cookies and mashing potatoes.

So why WAS I doing this? I was in my early 20's in the 80's and was heavily impacted by what we were doing as a nation at the time. So I showed my kids two videos ....

Band Aid "Do They Know Its Christmastime"

We Are The World

and then I told them the tales of Live Aid and Farm Aid ...

and then I held them and explained to them that yes we as a family are stressed, and the night the fires raged through San Diego because of a freak accident ,we were scared. Yet ultimately, I placed them safe in their own beds along with their stuffed toys, and went to bed, still surrounded by all my mementos of my past and my dreams of my future.

My dream for the San Diego Wild Fire Blanket Project is a very simple dream - 1 blanket to every family that lost everything ... slow and steady. Some have talked about becoming a corporation, some have talked about the "global impact" that this will have. And maybe it is wonderful to dream that we can change the world - but my dream is and always will be 1 blanket for every family, slow and steady, that was randomly chosen by the course of the wind patterns and ciders in a blaze to have them lose their home.

I have heard discouraging words from some, but mostly I have heard that this is a GOOD thing. Even is it was me alone in a room with a ball of yarn , I would work on this. When you only have minutes, maybe seconds to grab what is your life before running from a burning building, somethings its ok for someone else to think about you. Sometimes its not the check from the insurance company or the new house or the fastest sport car that will heal every thing, but maybe, just maybe its the one or few people in the world who take a moment out of their own life to say I'm thinking of you and hope this helps.

This is my way of healing from the fires, and I am very honored that there are hundreds that have joined me in the caused, but it will always be true to itself and be one blanket to one family - slow and steady.

Totally Fan Girl!

2007-11-19T18:40:00.000-08:00

The other night, my friend Margo took me to her friend's house to pick up a bunch of squares that were being donating to our Project (yes its now a capital P). Her friend is Jean Leinhauser!

OMG! Can you imagine sitting there and chit chatting with the woman who taught me how to crochet after my grandmother died (through her books of course!)?? It was AWESOME!! And I didn't dare open my mouth and "fan boy it" - a sweet little term left over from my days in the comic book industry where you are in such awe of the person you are with that you just either make this most STUPID remarks like - " so you crochet, huh? " or laugh at the totally WRONG moment.

But this was JEAN LEINHAUSER!!! This amazing woman was donating some of the most beautiful 50 squares for the project you will ever see! I just kept reaching into the bag and having my hands play with the yarn and looking at the OH PRETTY COLORS!!!

And if that was not enough she and Rita Weiss donated 2 autographed books for the opportunity drawing!! OMG! OMG! OMG!!

Yup ... I'm a FAN GIRL!!

(ps she reads our SD Wild Fire blog so if you think I'm posting this there ... LOL it ain't happening!)

San Diego Wild Fires Gets Media!!

2007-11-13T09:25:00.000-08:00

I am SO pleased to announce that we have media exposure!!

Please check out: Giving meets Web 2.0 by Amy Houk from MarketWatch for Dow Jones.

Amy contacted me through one of my favorite blog sites: 25 Things You Can Do For Charity and I'm so very pleased that now BOTH sites are going to get the attention they deserve!

THANK YOU AMY!!!

A Small Set Back :(

2007-11-11T07:37:00.000-08:00

A little venting going on here and a little advice needed ...

When I started the San Diego Wild Fire Blanket Project, I made a promise to myself that it it would be a way for knitters and crocheters to help out those in the fire effected areas by making them a homemade blanket to wrap themselves in.

In the past 3 days I have 2 LYS come to me - great YAY - with the promise of helping 1) spread the word 2) being a collection sight and 3) (the big one) offering to donate yarn for the joining of the squares!!!

Right on!!! We could use as many voices and hands in this project as possible after all there are 1588 blankets to be made ....and then yesterday ... parts of it went South!

I went one of the LYS to introduce myself and get them the fliers that they had requested and was told " No, we aren't going to get behind your project and help. We are going to only help OUR COMMUNITY. Now please leave"

I was shocked and saddened of course, but most importantly I was amazed at the closed mindedness of this one shop owner in a very small community which was hit very hard not wanting help (please remember THEY came to US to offer to help!). When the area didn't have enough firefighters to help, Orange County firefighters came down to extinguish the flames. Two years ago I worked for a company that purposes brought a HUGE event to these township where everyone benefited. Its a small town where I saw entire neighbors wiped out and was told yesterday "no,we don't need your help"!

So I'm venting because 1) yes, I was hoping to get SOME yarn to help join the squares to get the first blankets out. Despite the fact that there have been some donations of skeined yarn for the blankets, we have a HUGE nut to crack. Thank goodness Michael's is having a sale since I'm going to go today and personally buy the yarn to get some of the 500 squares in my dining room (almost enough for 20 blankets) joined next weekend. More importantly I'm saddened because 2) even though I KNOW this was one person's opinion that "we don't need outsiders to help" (please see firefighters comment!) I really thought it wasn't a matter of "them vs us" mentality. We all in this together, and ancient, old fashion thoughts like this I thought had long been extinguished.

I am still going to collect the squares thanks to wonderful people that have joined this group and have helped me spread the word. But because its their work and time, I guess I KNEW I needed to share.

On the good news - we have over 110 families that have requested and / been nominated to receive your blankets - last night alone I received over 40 requests. We are still in need and in this time of our holiday frantic-ness, every square counts - so your assistance is GREATLY appreciated

THANK YOU EVERYONE - come check out the good we are doing on our blog. Thank you SOOO much for everything!!

Area 51

2007-11-09T18:58:00.000-08:00

Lately -- I haven't been knitting or crochet much ... in fact the only thing I've really been doing anything much of is working on the San Diego Wild Fire Blanket Project.

Just having an idea like this was one thing but actually rolling up your sleeves and getting "dirty", well some would say that's hard, but I'M LOVING IT!! We get so many squares and many nominations / requests that come through everyday and the cards and letters that come with them wish ME good thoughts, its hard to fathom! I'm not doing anything, its these wonderful ladies that come through with their time and squares!

I also have made it my commitment to go out and actually get into the communities that were effected. After all, I'm trying REALLY hard to get press and media attention about the project and how can I speak intelligently if I haven't seen it, smelt it, and felt the fire around me. Being a safe 5 miles from the closest burn zone is one thing, but coming home after being out there and washing the soot smell out of my hair ... that's what makes a good journalist (in my opinion) and that's what I went to school for all those years ago.

So in then wake of my journalist and charitable life, I have sort of forgotten about the washcloths, the Lucy bag and the Holiday presents that I was sure I was going to be working on these days. I keep telling myself that after my surgery (yup we are going for IT - the big Hysterectomy - with a big 6-week recovery period!) I can knit and crochet my heart out since I won't be mobile! Yeah, well this is me who after an emergency C-section was up and doing laundry and grocery shopping 6 days later!!

Can someone PLEASE tell me how I can double schedule my life ... or wait ... its year end too, make that triple - after all I AM an accountant too!

My Dishcloth Swap Partner ROCKS!!!!!

2007-11-05T19:14:00.000-08:00

In the words of my kids ... I SCORED!

Thank you to my WONDERFUL, AMAZING, SUPER-SUPER Fall into Autumn Dishcloth Pal - Ingrid!!!

I opened my swap box and found the most awesome dishcloths and candy and stuff from Alaska!! This has always been a place I have dreamed about going and visiting!! And with all the cool stuff that Ingrid sent me, I now have a small piece of Alaska right here in San Diego!!

Ingrid - YOU ROCK!!!

For a good Chuckle - Click here!

2007-11-04T14:16:00.000-08:00

Just needed a smile ... hope you enjoy this!

Here's to the Simple Pleasures

2007-11-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

My Mom used to cut chicken, chop eggs and spread mayo on the same cutting board with the same knife and no bleach, but we didn't seem to get food poisoning.

My Mom use to defrost hamburger on the counter AND I use to eat it raw sometimes, too. Our school sandwiches were wrapped in wax paper in a brown paper bag, not in icepack coolers, but I can't remember getting e.coli.

Almost all of us would have rather gone swimming in the lake instead of a pristine pool (talk about boring), no beach closures then.

The term cell phone would have conjured up a phone in a jail cell, and a pager was the school PA system.

We all took gym, not PE.. and risked permanent injury with a pair of high top Ked's (only worn in gym) instead of having cross-training athletic shoes with air cushion soles and built in light reflectors I can't recall any injuries but they must have happened because they tell us how much safer we are now. Flunking gym was not an option... even for stupid kids! I guess PE must be much harder than gym.Speaking of school, we all said prayers and sang the national anthem, and staying in detention after school caught all sorts of negative attention. We must have had horribly damaged psyches. What an archaic health system we had then. Remember school nurses? Ours wore a cap and everything.I thought that I was supposed to accomplish something before I was allowed to be proud of myself.

I just can't recall how bored we were without computers, Play Station, Nintendo, X-box or 270 digital TV cable stations.

Oh yeah... and where was the Benadryl and sterilization kit when I got that bee sting? I could have been killed!

We played 'king of the hill' on piles of gravel left on vacant construction sites, and when we got hurt, Mom pulled out the 48-cent bottle of Mercurochrome (kids liked it better because it didn't sting like iodine did) and then we got our butt spanked. Now it's a trip to the emergency room, followed by a 10-day dose of a $49 bottle of antibiotics, and then Mom calls the attorney to sue the contractor for leaving a horribly vicious pile of gravel where it was such a threat.

We didn't act up at the neighbor's house either because if we did, we got our butt spanked there and then we got butt spanked again when we got home. I recall Allan Godman from next door coming over and doing his tricks on the front stoop, just before he fell off. Little did his Mom know that she could have owned our house? Instead, she picked him up and swatted him for being such a goof. It was a neighborhood run amuck.

To top it off, not a single person I knew had ever been told that they were from a dysfunctional family. How could we possibly have known that we needed to get into group therapy and anger management classes? We were obviously so duped by so many societal ills, that we didn't even notice that the entire country wasn't taking Prozac! How did we ever survive?

LOVE TO ALL OF US WHO SHARED THIS ERA, AND TO ALL WHO DIDN'T- SORRY FOR WHAT YOU MISSED. I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING.

Remember that life's most simple pleasures are very often the best.

(thank you Corinne for reminding me just how precious things are ... I so needed this reminded!)

As if there wasn’t enough on my plate …

2007-10-31T09:35:00.000-07:00

On Monday morning I went to the doctor and was informed that the tumors in my uterus had returned.

Yup, this is a REAL bitch – I have been undergoing treatment for this since January (literally on my 42nd birthday I started bleeding and didn’t stop!) when I knew something was wrong. I went to my normal OB / GYN and was told “hmm, everything looks ok, here try these pills”. So I believe her and took the new pills and for 3 months nothing changed except more pain and still I bled.

In March of this year I changed doctors and he looks and ran tests and went “hmm, everything looks ok, but try these pills” So I did … but these pills were SUPER estrogen and even though they did nothing for the bleeding or the pain, trust me they did WONDERS for the mood swings!

Finally, in July my BFF took me to her doctor who went “DAMN this doesn’t look right you have fibrous tumors!”... this was immediately followed by a “HOLY SHIT! Look how many and big they are! We need to operate!

Let me explain that I do not like doctors or needles or blood, especially my own, in any way shape or form. In order to have the 2 kids I had to convince myself that whatever pain or blood there was involved was going to be for a great good – yeah, well that didn’t exactly work!

I digressed. So in July of this year I had my very first surgery. I had never had anesthesia or an IV; I mean I even have all my wisdom teeth!! But I did this. I explained to the doctor – listen you get me once – make sure whatever is in there is GONE! I never want this again… hmm so, much for that. As I said, on Monday I was told they are back.

Granted the doctor has admitted to me that yes, she made an error in judgment and should have removed my uterus then (I gave her permission at that point) but that doesn’t make any of this easier or less stressful.

For whatever reason now, I’m more scared and REALLY have NO idea what to do or who to believe. I do NOT want a hysterectomy at the age of 42! I’m SO tired of friends telling me it’s the best thing they ever did. Well if that were the case then the All Mighty Creator would have put a damn rip cord in our bodies and at the age of 40 all we had to do was pull the thing and BAM it would be gone!

I like all my parts, especially the ones INSIDE of me. They came with me when I was born, and I was sort of hoping to leave with them. No one has a reason as to why this is happening! No one can tell me what I did wrong to deserve this! And NO ONE has explained to me, WHY since it was the Doctor’s bad judgment call, that I have to not only go through the mental and emotional distress AGAIN, but I have to PAY again??!!

I’m sorry but if I screw up at my job I have to come in on the weekend and give my time free and clear to fix the problem, why do I have to pay the doctor to fix her mistake??

Can ANYONE explain this reasoning to me??! Sorry I’m a little stressed here!

The Power of the Human Spirit!

2007-10-29T23:13:00.000-07:00

Last night Robert and I drove through Ramona and the Barona Reservation to see the damage the fire did.

Yes I saw the devastation that the fire wrought. Yes I saw burnt out buildings and fields that will take years to re-cultivate to bring back the avocados. Those pictures have been plastered all over the media - and I think that we have all seen that enough. But what I also saw was the spirit of the land. When we met on Saturday for our knitting group, I saw my "regular" batch of ladies but everyone of them got a hug and an extra smile. I think we laughed a little longer, a little louder because we even though we all go through our live with different agendas and different point of views, we each went through last week with a common thread and came out the other side of a terrible incident - a little older , a little wiser - and A LOT wealthier to know our friends were there.

So to my friends: Corinne, Maureen, Anne, Heidi, Jennifer ... and all the other ladies of Fiber Therapy - thank you for sharing not only Saturday with me but my life. I'm glad I have such wonderful people to share and record the memories with!

Its Been A Week!

2007-10-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

Wow! Its been a Week!!

The donations for the San Diego Wild Fire Blankets Project have EXPLODED and now has its own blog!!

I even have someone sharing all the headaches and logistics with me!! Lana from my Fiber Therapy group came over last night and sat at my dining room table while we figured out how to make sure we did the best we could for everyone involved. I'm so VERY proud of this and HER!! She is AMAZING!! I really hope she knows how crazy I can get!! (shhh no one tell her!!)

Go over and check the blog out! Soon we hope to have pictures of all the squares, the blankets and eventually the families that receive all the good wishes and hope!!

Its Been A Week!

Square Donation Request

2007-10-23T16:43:00.000-07:00

I survived the Witch Creek fire in San Diego.

At the same time this fire rage through the central / inland north county San Diego, the Harris fire in the lower East county of San Diego started. The fires swept through the county and thousands of people were evacuated and hundreds lost their homes.

I started a group on Raverly requesting donations for families in San Diego with the request of acrylic 8" squares that will be pieced together and given to those that are rebuilding their life.I am asking the fiber community to help me in my efforts.

I'm NOT asking for $$ just a few squares that you might have made so I can stitch them up and bring them to families that had homes days ago and now are in the process of rebuilding. A blanket might not be a house, but its the spirit of community. These will be for the relief of those families displaced and will go to them throughout the relief effort.

If this is something you would to send a square to, please contact me for the address.

In case someone needs links:
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/8in_squares.php a great resource for crochet
http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/motifs_squares.php for knitters

As Nero Fiddle ...

2007-10-22T16:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we drove to Michael's north of us by 2 exits. Robert and Stephi both commented on the terrible smog that MUST be coming down from LA.

(photo courtesy of KUSI)

It wasn't smog ... San Diego County has been under the state of emergency because of fire!

To the best of our knowledge an electrical transformer blew down in the heavy winds of the Santa Ana. In the dry conditions that we have had this year, the worse on records) and the dry brush it didn't take much for the fire to travel with great speed.

(satellite map whowing smoke pattern)

We had been able to go to Barona Casino in Lakeside this weekend and see one of my co-workers performers ... late last night I got the email that she was stranded at the casino because the fire had surrounded the casino and driving was hazardous! (FYI she was able to leave early this morning!)

We packed the car this morning, the hamsters got bucketed in, the medicines and insurance papers were in my purses and then the telephone tree went into effect.

(overlooking my canyon at Noon - note the haze of the smoke)

Laura (my BFF who incidentally I became really close to 4 years ago this weekend to the date because of the San Diego Cedar Fires when she evacuated and was a nomad for days) and I stayed in touched. Her daughter,and new grandson who lives within about 3 blocks from my patio window was on my radar and we kept in phone contact.

I was text messaging my knitting group and was able to find out one of the ladies was evacuated, another I still haven't heard from (Susan you are in my thoughts).

(smoot from the fire on my patio)

I met a man today who asked me for the condo complex management's phone number. He calmly told me he lost all his possessions and house in Poway.He was calm, safe and with his wife, so all he needed was a place to rest and a chance to rebuild. I know he will. I have met other people in the last 4 hours who I have lived next to for years who I now know the names of. San Diego, for as big as it is , is a small town. We bound and take care of each other.

Over the next few days we will see heroes in the most unlikely people. The person who even though they lost their ranch, went and rescued a stranger's horse. Or the newscaster who stayed on air while he watched and reported about losing his home in Rancho Bernardo.

(long lines at the gas station - thank you Lisa for the heads up)
We haven't left ... yet. My boss has opened his home to us and the hamsters. I packed everything I need and the kids are with me ... and I've never knitted SO much in one day! And while San Diego burned ... Nero Fiddled.

Its Friday ...

2007-10-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

I remember being younger .. MUCH younger ... and thinking Fridays were the day we had it all. School days felt shorter and event my exams were easier to take on Friday. I use to feel alive and awake on Fridays – so how come, now on Fridays I feel like I’m more hurried, rushed, and exhausted on Fridays than I am all week?

Tonight we are actually going to try to sneak away for a date night ... that was until I realized I promised to help Stephanie with more stitch markers. This little cottage industry is starting to take off for her. If you haven’t looked at them she has a small cottage industry going and applaud her. Granted I’m a proud mom so if you haven’t taken a look at her Etsy store here are a few of her more recent developments. Forgive the photographs – apparently I need to go back to Photo Class to do these.

Other than helping Stephanie and the standard trials and tribulations of life what have I been up to? Seems like I’ve been knitting a bunch and making nothing. I think I made 2 new dishcloths this week, which is great, since we started a mini swap here in San Diego for these little eye candy.

I did have my first attempt at felting. Ok, ok stop your laughing – I can hear you over here! I attempted to make a Booga Bag like one of the ladies in my knitting group and after Gail’s recommendation that I could use Paton’s Classic Wool. Well (in my best Lucy Ricardo voice …) it felted but I think Barbie now has a great weekend tote!

I’m NOT going to be discouraged – I’m doing it again!! This time with size 13 needles! I’ve doubled the yarn on the base, made it 110 stitches rounds instead of the recommended 100 and I’ve been knitting all week and I’ve only gotten 37 rows done! At least I know what I’ll be working on this weekend at Meet-Up!

I really hope this one works out! I already bought the pattern and yarn for the Lucy Bag last weekend, but I refuse to have another WIP. At some point I will regain control of this part of my life.

I DID get my invite to RAVELRY a few days ago - I'm GeorgieGirl65 if you care to look me up. That thing is amazing! But with everything else I' have going on who has time to even spend more than 15 minutes there .. maybe next weekend ...

So it’s Friday and not even Payday (yawn). Why can’t we work 2 days and have a 5 day weekend?!

I Was Tagged ...

2007-10-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

This wasn't the post I was going to write .. but defintely was more fun!

I was tagged by Gail (who recently got engaged!)

The Rules:Once tagged, you must link to the person who tagged you. Then post the rules before your list, and list 8 random things about yourself. At the end of the post, you must tag and link to 8 other people, visit their sites, and leave a comment letting them know they’ve been tagged.

1. I “accidentally” saw the Rolling Stones in 1986 because they were “jamming "at the bar I was working at in New Haven, CT and got to bring them drinks.

2. After being a concert photographer for my college newspaper, I sold some of my work to “Honeymoon Suite” for the album art. They had their hit with “I Got a New Girl Now” and did the theme for Lethal Weapon 4.

3. I met my husband on the internet (through Prodigy) over 16 years ago when there were no IM’s or chat rooms. Instead, he wrote me a 6 page letter telling me how all he wanted was a friend to go to the movies with – we didn’t go to our first movie until we were married for 6 months.

4. Robert and I eloped to Vermont during a blizzard and our minister was late to the ceremony because he was plowing the streets.

5. The first project I ever crocheted was a continuous granny square blanket that my grandmother and I worked on when I was in 6th grade and I had pneumonia. I missed 3 weeks for school and we would take turns working on it. In the end it was large enough to cover a queen-size bed.

6. My first degree is in Broadcast Journalism and I use to work in Washington DC and New York City during the 80’s as a reporter. I obtained my second degree in Financial Accounting, after meeting my father-in-law and realized I loved the numbers more than the words.

7. Our daughter’s middle name is Italian for “golden”; our son’s middle name is Spencer – after Spencer Tracy, his twin sister would have been named after Katharine Hepburn.

8. Someday, Robert and I would like to travel around the world and eventually retire back in the town we got married in.

I’m tagging these knit bloggers: Corinne, Lisa, Karla, Julie, Laura, Yarn Demon, Jenny, Kris

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells ROCK!

2007-10-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

I really am glad I joined the Fall into Autumn Dishcloth Swap ... These things are like candy, once you start one, you can't stop. In fact, Corinne and I are now doing a mini one for our Fiber Therapy group. So here is the Topic of the Week:

Are you the type that likes to go to participate in all the fall festivities like apple picking, pumpkins, decorating for the fall, hay rides, baking fall goodies, etc. or do you just sit and count the days till Thanksgiving / Christmas / Hanukkah?

Cooler weather in San Diego is NOT like cooler weather like I grew up with. Regardless of what people will say here about there being a “chill in the air” I’m still in a tank top today.

Fortunately though, our house looks over a beautiful canyon of trees that are changing colors because they THINK its cooler. Right about now I’m thinking about the crisp-ness of a Macon apple from Bishop’s Orchard back home or the smell of mulled apple cider from one of the back offices. I’m noticing I’m cooking more squash too – acorn squash seems to be the veggie of the day and I’m cooking less on the grill in the back yard and actually turning the oven on! Robert came home Friday to a homemade dessert (hmm can’t make a habit of that, can I?!)

With all the knitting I’ve been doing its hard NOT to think about the holidays. My goal every year is to have all my gifts done and ready to wrap by Thanksgiving, and I only missed once. Since I can remember, the teachers all get homemade gifts, but this year with one kid in High School and the other in Middle School I seem to have a few more presents to make. Good thing I’m in the FIA swap so I can see all the pretty designs on the dishcloths. Each teacher is getting a “Personal Day” Gift Basket with 3 homemade dishcloths in a wicker basket from Michael’s with some Bath & Body Works goodies so that they can spoil themselves!

Robert, who is usually my hardest to gift, will be a bit easier now that we all have been re-bitten with the camping bug… ohhhh bad pun. And Stephi, well at nearly 16, no matter what I get for clothes its wrong, sooo GIFT CARDS!

Michael (sigh) is the challenge. Christmas has to have something homemade … but then the next day is the BIG 1-2 for him… so needless to say I'm going to have to think, think, think on this one…

I actually wasn’t worried too much about the holidays until I started writing this so I have to run .. I’m having a small crisis realizing I’m behind and I need to be knitting and crocheting … hmm, is there a way I can do that while I sleep? Or at work? (Yeah, I THINK Sam might not like that one at all!)

If you are a parent

2007-10-13T22:31:00.001-07:00

The first time I heard this song, I cried ... and it had nothing to do with my crush I still have on Billy Ray. As a child we can't wait to get our freedom and experience the world, as a parent we want to hold them tight and never let them go. We learn to find the balance ... making our mistakes along the way ... and hopefully in the end it all works out.

To my babies ... get ready for it, life comes at you fast .. are you ready, get set .. wait I'm not ready to let you go.

My Fiber Family

2007-10-12T10:51:00.001-07:00

I have THE best knitting and crochet family!
For years I sat in the corner of our Living Room making my current project and usually taking years to complete just one baby blanket. Then through the power of the internet I started my Fiber Therapy Group… which I really can’t say is mine since without its 90 members it wouldn’t be where it is.

This past Wednesday I was able to have lunch with 2 of the ladies (Margo and Nancy) right down by where I work and yes even without needle in hand it was a wonderful experience.

Then on Wednesday night was out last evening get-together until after the holidays and what could have been a terrible experience because of a landlord forgetting I was using the meeting space and locking the door, still was amazing! Corrine and Lisa had me in stitches (pun not intended) most of the night, and Susan, the first person I met at a meeting, has become my shining light whenever I’m sad.

We have new knitters and crocheters and some that are the most experienced people I have ever met! I have seen individuals blossom with their skill from having their stitches squeak (“No Jenny they really aren’t suppose to do that”) to now making amazing felted bags. And each time I see Karla she has something more new and amazing then the last project she did!

These ladies are more than fellow crafters, enjoying a love of fiber, they are people I consider friends. Who I have listed on my cell not to just call about yarn stuff, but to say “How are you?”, What are you doing?”, and “Yes, get in the shower, we are going out!” I would be very lost without these ladies and I adore each one. I might not know each one of their life stories, but there is the common thread (or yarn) that has bound us, and unlike my biological family I choose to spend time with these amazing women and look forward to each time.

Thank you all for enriching my world!

Hangen' out at the Cul-de-Sac

2007-10-10T09:49:00.001-07:00

Last night I watched a miracle. To many it would be nothing more than a normal night after work. But last night, I watch my baby boy, take another huge step forward … he rode his 2-wheeler (which his BIG sister bought him for his birthday) and hung with “the guys” at the end of our cul-de-sac!

Yeah – that doesn’t seem like a lot to most people, especially for an 11 nearly 12 year old boy, to do, but Michael is a special guy and not just because he’s mine.

I had chicken pox in my first tri-mester with him, and the doctor in Florida told me I had miscarried the baby we had tried to have for 3 years. Broken hearted we returned to Connecticut and devoted ourselves to being the parents to Stephanie. On October 20, 1995 while watching “Hocus Pocus” with her the remote moved (ok jumped) from my stomach … and we knew something was up.

The Doctor proudly announced, yes, we were indeed pregnant, maybe 14 or 16 weeks, but of no the ultrasound said otherwise... I was about 30 weeks pregnant … which means Florida Doctor was WRONG!

On December 25, much to my un-happy OBGYN dismay, since she was at Christmas party, Michael decided he wanted into the world… but he was not going to share his birthday with a holiday so he came on December 26 … rather quietly.

He was a very white and quiet, the doctors rushed him to ICU and immediately hooked him up to monitors and tubes; I hadn’t even held him and he was taken from me. Robert went with him and I soon followed. We were told he wouldn’t make it through the night – but he did. We spent day and night in ICU watching, hoping and waiting.

They sent me home, and Michael stayed there – alone. Finally, we did get to bring him home later, but on New Year’s Day our family physician met us in his office. Michael could barely breathe and we were told we had a baby who would always be challenged. His breathing would always be labored, the chicken pox had done harm that we would never know the full extent to until years later, and we would have our hands full.

Yup we did … and still do … but in a great wonderful way.

Michael after years of Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy is an amazing boy! He has the motor skills they said he wouldn’t have. He has never had an asthma attack since we arrived in California. He can make you laugh when you think the world is sure to crumble. His smile lights the room up. He is a 6th grader and he rides a bike and hangs out at night with “the guys” … he’s an amazing average boy. He’s my miracle!

Whatever Happened to Customer Service?

2007-10-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

It seems that no matter where I have gone this week, there has been someone doing their job with the attitude that they are doing ME the favor of being there. Example: I went to CVS to fill a prescription, and I specifically told them when I dropped off the scrip that they would need to call Blue Cross since there was a change in the policy but it would go through.

Fast forward 2 hours and I return to the pharmacy and am told “Sorry Mrs. Smith you don’t have insurance” by the same person I handed the scrip to in the first place.

Ok, count 1 – 2 – 3 .. Did you call Blue Cross? No - they just entered it into the computer and it was denied. Count again 4 – 5 – 6. Excuse me, but didn’t you hear me when I told you you’d have to call for a verbal authorization? (Here’s the kicker) “I’m sorry ma’am, that’s not part of my job.”

WHAT??!?!?!?! Isn’t that why you collect a check at the end of the week, isn’t that part of the “Hi, can I help you?” Isn’t that part of the reason you put the little white coat on and go behind the counter at the pharmacy? If it isn’t YOUR job, whose is it?

So maybe it was just one case of bad customer service … oh gentle reader I wish it was. Let’s travel over to the Mobile Phone store where all I wanted to do was get information on upgrading my service.

I entered the location at 8:05 pm, 55 minutes BEFORE the bewitching hour, also known as closing time. There is not a soul in sight, no employees, no costumers, not even a mouse.

“Hello – anyone here?!”

Enter Miss “I Have Better Things to Do than Be Here” from the back of the store talking on her cell phone, slurping on her soda as she walks over to the service desk, cell phone and soda still in place. “Yeah – can I help you?” (Hmm English might not be her strong suit!)

“Yes I would like to see about up grading my phone”

Miss BetterThingstoDo “Yeah – call customer service. I can’t help you.”

I repeat, WHAT??!??!?! Why the hell are these people collecting a paycheck? I have people in my office whose job it is to answer the phone on the first ring, but it is more important to chit chat with their boyfriend about their adventures for the night then do their do what they were hired for.

Or how about when you are out at dinner and the wait staff stops and hangs out at the bar or hostess stand to talk about what they are going to do after close than see how their customer are in booth #4. I’m not trying to say they don’t work hard, I’ve done that job, I’ve busted my ass for $3.75 and thought that the 50 cent tip was a gift … now if you don’t leave the $5 tip on a $10 bill they are insulted!

So maybe it’s me, but did anyone see what happened to customer service?

As You Wish

2007-10-03T19:14:00.001-07:00

Its just one of those days, were I wanted to thank the person that has been there for me, that has held me when I couldn't stand, carried me when I couldn't walk anymore, and believed in me when I stopped believing in myself. Its not any of our normal special days, its just one that we got through together. With all the phone calls and all the "how do wo do this" its good to know tonight, we made it through ... together. Dear husband .... As You Wish.

What a day .. and its barely 11 am

2007-10-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

So I get home from my trip unpack, wash the clothes, make dinner, get to bed, and I'm already repacking! What is this Lather, Rinse, Repeat?!

Work, well its work. Sometimes I think other than my knitting and crocheting group its the only sanity I have ... except on days like today, where you go in after being gone for 4 days and your desk has been hit with an avalanche of paperwork and your bosses needed everything yesterday (while you were on vacation). I will say I have some of the nicest people in the world I work with and for. They totally get me and my family and 99% of my quirkiness... well after all I DO work with artists and performers. Here's a snippet of just some of the people I see on a daily bases ... (click the pic its COOL!)

And I've been knitting and crocheting my little heart out ... is it possible calacus on your calacucs?? My goal is to get a dishcloth a day done which is easy since I'm usually at work early and I knit in the car and on lunch, then I'm crochet for Margo a few Prayer Shawls... and with the "cooler" brrrrr San Diego weather (oh let me get my winter coat out - HAHA) I'm making a few blankets for the girls at work. Julie just bought a house and she and Jason are getting married in June and then Steve and Amy just got there house after years of traveling in the troupe.

Speaking of dishcloths, the dishcloth exchange has there
question of the week .... Are there any recipes you especially enjoy
having in the Fall? Any foods that are seasonal that you especially
enjoy?

This is a Smith Sunday Fall evening special and its been passed down for about 4 generations all one my side... so is its a Ranazzi / Palaia / Piscitelli / Smith tradition then? hhmmm Am I slightly Italian, or what?

All I do is get 4 to 6 chicken breasts, thighs, wings.... basically whatever is in the friggy that night and toss i in a roasting pan with some cubed potatoes and sliced onions that were coated in oil, pepper and salt. No exact amount, its all based on who''s eating with us and how much we have. lay the chicken on top of the potato / onion mix, add a dollop of butter on each chicken piece, cover with foil and place in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes. Remove foil, turn chicken and cook for about another half hour. This is NOT a health friendly dish ... in fact Paula Dean and I have a lot in common on this one but damn its nummy. DH and kids like the crispy on the side of the pan and its a meal where we all sit, eat, drink and talk. hmmmm is it Sunday night yet??

When Life Gives You ...

2007-09-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

I knew I shouldn’t have done it, but I did!

Last night I was cleaning “The Stash” since I’m trying to make sure that I stay busy, (like a pair of Monkey socks, 2 Fat Bottom Bags, and a Dishcloth weren’t enough), have enough yarn (as IF!), and not let these wonderful 40% off coupons go to waste from Michael’s.

Deep in the bottom of the darkest corner there were skeins and skeins of HOMESPUN YARN! You know the stuff from Lion Brand. I was going to make something I’m sure or was I just suffering from “ooooowwwww – awwwwww” but there it was – all 5 skeins in different colors and no 2 the same. What was I thinking?!

Before I go and spend any $$ on some new yarn going to force myself to figure out what to do with THIS stuff. There has to be SOMETHING I can do with this! I already tried the FBB and it looks terrible! And I don’t think a soggy dishcloth will work (Sorry Corrine!) Maybe if they were matched colors I could think of something for Margo’s Shawl Ministry, but 5 very different colors?? Nope won’t do that to her!
So life has given me lemons in the way of Homespun … how do I make Lemonade?

Is It Woolies Time Yet? aka topic of the week

2007-09-25T10:50:00.000-07:00

Autumn has now officially begun here in the States!! What is your favorite thing about Autumn/Fall? Why?

Talk about a pointed topic in my DISHCLOTH EXCHANGE.

I adore the crispness of the air, the diving under the 3 comforters at night onto fresh, crisp sheets and snuggling next to my DH in the morning when its too cold to get out of bed. We have a beautiful view of the canyon from our bedroom, and I'm the first to get up so I get to have those 15 minutes of quiet to watch the sun come up over the ridge, as it sparkles on the leaves. Three years ago we lived down at the beach in San Diego so seeing "fall" on the palm trees, didn't mark the season too much for me... but now we actually have a pine tree in our yard and there are Oak trees too. You actually can "smell" the cooler weather!

Last night I got home from work, changed into my sweats, threw a roast into the oven, started a fire in the fireplace and got to enjoy the evening by knitting in front of it! It's not exactly the way it was when I lived back East, but it will do - for now.

This is the first Fall that we are taking the kids camping so I can't wait to see how they react to the trees and dirt and changes in weather. We have a 3-bedroom tent and an air mattress - so its not really roughing it, but these are kids who have never walked on anything but manicured lawns. Its going to be interesting to watch them "jones-ing" for their Game Boy, or the cell phone. We have Connect-4 and Uno Games planned. I've got about 3 different knitting and crochet projects I hope to work on, but guarenteed it will be me and them talking and laughing and eating S'mores!

Mostly, I am looking forward to 3 days with nothing but me, the kids and a DH who I have missed thanks to all the stress and drama that we have had lately. This is going to be a good time for Stephi to relax and just not think about anything but getting better, and Michael and I need to re-connect (he is is a Knitting Club at school - yup a 6th grade boy knitting so he can "hang" with his mom).

The best part of all is that neither Robert or my company can call us! No checks that need to go out - no computer systems that need to be rebooted. Just him and me time! After all this is what its all about - this is why we got married. As hard as things are in everyday life, I think , nope I know, if it wasn't for the fact that every night that he comes through the door it wouldn't be as much fun. This man is totally awesome! He is a my rock and I never thought I would be this lucky!

Wow - talk about digressing from the subject! So what do I like about Fall? I guess just the fact that I get to be able to spend it with my family, my rock, my reason for being.

Nibble Fingers

2007-09-21T18:14:00.001-07:00

I've been working on a BUNCH of things and haven't been sharing the pictures .. so I thought I would ....

FAT-BOTTOM BAGS

I've been making a bunch of these for both holiday gifts and also to donate to the Susan G Korman 3-day booth. Last year they raised over $15,000 by selling the donations and the funds go right back to the women in San Diego!

Check out the great fabric I found to line some of my Pink Ones!!

Thank you to everyone for your ideas and advice for closures on these babies - I can't wait to try them all out!

DISHCLOTHS GALORE
Yup - more holiday gifts! Been thinking about pairing these up with some nice hand lotions and soaps for teachers gifts.

Look I'm doing patterns!

And even using stitch markers!

MONKEY SOCKS

Lastly, I've FINALLY gotten my Monkey socks moving along! Who knew that there really IS a difference in what type of needles you use - so I HAD to share! Who knows, I might like doing socks again without tears - LOL!

So how was YOUR week?!

Yarn Central ... How Can I Help You?

2007-09-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

I have a sectional couch that the kids have known from day 1 is MOM’S Corner and lately it has become “Yarn Central”. I have Fat Bottom Bags that I’m working on, a few dishcloths, Monkey Swap Socks (lesson learn … knit more than 1 of something BEFORE joining a swap – these things ARE going to be the death of me!), and since I haven’t found the right yarn yet for the boy’s sweater, I started a throw for my own house!

So I have questions and try as they might, the peanut gallery of Michael, Stephi (who is doing a 1,000 times better!) and Rob just don’t get – so I have come to you dear blog readers for any advice – of which I hope to get – on what to do!

If anyone has made one of these Fat Bottom Bags from Debbie Stoeller’s book, you know they are great and fast projects and in the back of your mind you are thinking “great gift” … but have you ANY ideas on HOW to keep the damn thing closed when you put it down?! I can just see the contents of my world spilling out at the movies, restaurant, or car unless I can figure this out.

Here's the TOPIC OF THE WEEK from the Dishcloth Swap I’m in (which I sent to my partner today – hope she likes being spoiled!)

When you knit or crochet dishcloths, washcloths or face
clothes, what do you use? What size needle or hook? Wood? what type? Metal?
Plastic? A specific Brand? Why do you love that needle or hook so much? Is there
one you are dying to try? Is there a particular yarn you love and use all the
time for clothes? What is so special about it?
Even though I consider myself a crochet, I’ve been bitten by the knitting bug lately and have been doing all my Dishcloths on my knitting needles. I found an “old” pair of Susan Bates BRIGHT purple metals #6 that I’m using for everything but I’m casting on / off with a #8 and I think it’s working well. I’m still enjoying the yarn from Michael’s and Jo-Ann’s for my projects ... cheap is ALWAYS good … but I was working with some Sugar & Cream from Wal-Mart of all places and think I’m in love! Maybe someday I can justify a $18 skein of something, but right now there are too many school activities, dr bills or something or other for me to feel ok with it.

I did find this one website http://cf.geocities.com/knitdishclothcorner/ that although in French AND English has some WONDERFUL dishcloths ... I highly recommend it to all you ADK (Addicted to Dishcloth Knitting ... Yes My NY friend I mean you)

PS - I still have room for ONE MORE Pay it Forward ... If you are interested, all you have to do is post here with your Blog address and then PIF on your Blog.

The Boy is COLD??!

2007-09-13T16:34:00.000-07:00

I think I have terrific kids! Anyone who knows me or has read my blog knows that I tend to overly boast and am one of "those" parents ... but I have a son who I cannot explain his genetics!

Maybe its because the dude was born in the dead of a blizzard in Connecticut but this kid ALWAYS wants to wear a sweatshirt - even in the dead of a heat wave! So I've been thinking - dangerous huh? - Cold child = Knit sweater. Now the hard part is to find a sweater that is "cool" but not cute for a 6th grader who still can wear a SMALL!! Like I said I don't know where this kid got his genetics, because the last time I saw a small I breezed right through it on my way to the "Fluffy" X-large!!

And then there is idea of what do I use since I want to keep him warm, not TOO warm, and what won't drive me nuts to work with. I can't do him the injustice of RH Super Saver ... could I?

I did find this pattern but there is no way this boy is getting any yarn a sweater that will cost me more to make than my car payment. Ideas??

Pay it Forward Swap ....

2007-09-12T12:27:00.001-07:00

I do not think there are enough words to thank everyone who has emailed, called or posted a comment with well wishes for our family and I think in times like these we are give chances to give back.

Quite by accident today I stumbled upon a fellow Fiber-holics blog with a "PAY IT FORWARD" Swap and this one I could not pass up. Here are the "rules":

"Here is how it works! I'll send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange! I don't know what that gift will be yet, and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week...LOL... but you will receive it within 365 days, that's a promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog..."

So if you are interested, let me know so I can start planning your project and also add you to my blog-roll.

... And in other news

2007-09-10T17:46:00.000-07:00

Well now that everything at home is starting to settle down (there is bickering over the PS2, dirty clothes not quiet getting into the hamper, and the music ... well there is noise coming out of her room...) I can now start getting back to the normalcy of knitting and crocheting (YAY!!)

I'm in the Fall into Autumn Dishcloth Swap and having a great time and there is a TOPIC of the weeks thingy going on, so I apologize for the indulgence...

(Sunset at Ocean Beach Pier, San Diego CA)

Topic: Now that in some geographic locations the weather is starting to turn cooler, do you change the type of yarn(s) you knit/crochet with? If so, what do you now knit/crochet with instead and why? If not, why do you not switch and what do you knit/crochet with?

Being a transport from New England and living in San Diego (where the natives bundle up when the temps get to a brisk 68 degrees) knitting and crochet for me is pretty much the same for me year round. I'm currently working on socks that are super wash wool in fingerweight but for the most part I'm mostly a bamboo, cotton, whatever will breathe type of girl. I did pick up some Tofu-tie the other day (Egads!! $16 for ONE SKEIN!! ... no one tell Rob please!) but those will be for ankle socks for Stephi. Michael MIGHT get a hoodie sweater for the holidays in some type of cotton (he was 3 weeks when we got here so he's about as native as his dad!). Other that I'll stick with the latest "nice feel" from Michael's or Jo-ann's, I'm not a yarn snob yet but ask me again in a year :)

(My backyard in Connecticut, our last winter there 1994)

Good News!

2007-09-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

The Doctor has said Stephanie's condition is stable!!

SHE'S COMING HOME TODAY!!!

Waiting ...

2007-09-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will be here soon ... tomorrow Robert and I go back to work and my son goes to school ... and tomorrow Stephanie will still be in the hospital and not home where she belongs.

We did see her today and her spirits are up. She's a good kid and didn't deserve to have this happen to her. She's been a 3.5 GPA student and was getting her driving permit in a few more months. She's one of the those "good kids" that actually calls when they are out with her friends and really IS where she tells you. I need my daughter here I need to have my heart back together again and more important I need my daughter whole again!

Tomorrow at 3 we meet with the doctors. IF Steph's injuries are healed enough to bring her home, I will find out then. Not before. I have no say in any of this. I have no way of telling them how much I'm hurting without my daughter.

I don't want to go into details about her injuries but I will say I'm not pleased with the run around and double talk I received from the doctor's and the hospital or from the emergency room personnel who forgot us for over 7-1/2 hours because we weren't a "glamorous" injury. My kid was hurt! And you do not justify care based on whether you have a HMO and PPO or Medi-Cal! A child's well being should come first. Of course tonight I'm banging my head against the wall and even with the insurance I don't know HOW I'm going to afford this. Robert and I are the only family we have, both our parent's are gone, and neither of us have any extended family we can turn to. Our family has always been the friends that we choose to have in our life.

I would like to thank those of you that have helped us this weekend with your kind words and prayers. Lisa and Laura, you both have helped me emotionally hold on to what shred of hope and sanity I have left.

Now, fingers crossed - prayer on full throttle - I need her home... I need her ok .. and I need her in my arms.

The phone call...

2007-09-08T01:20:00.000-07:00

Today, I almost lost my daughter …

Not in a mall or somewhere all I had to do was go to lost and found, but I got the call from the school nurse today that every parent dreads… “Mrs. Smith, Hi this is the school nurse, I think you better to get to Children’s Hospital. Your child is hurt.”

I had just gotten back to work from bringing my son home from his day of performing on live TV for Artwalk - I was just on the phone with Robert talking about our wonderful plans for tonight - I was just about to sit down and work on the 1,001 reports that I needed to get done for work - I just got the phone call that every parent never wants “… you better get to Children’s Hospital. Your child is hurt.”

What do you do? Every nerve in your body goes into over load! Call her Dad – tell your boss – remain calm – get to the hospital, your child is hurt.

I have no idea what the extent of the injury was and yet everyone I had to talked to asked the same question. “How is she?” How the hell should I know, didn’t they hear me when I said I had to get to the hospital, my child was hurt?!

After getting to the emergency room, being shuffled from room to roomfor 7-1/2 hours, told I had no insurance and couldn’t get care (I have GREAT insurance, for God sake I’m an HR manager!), to having some dummy walk in the room to tell us the worse diagnose and walk out moments later for a “trauma” leaving my daughter in my arms for 30 minutes screaming she didn’t want to die, to being told mis-information about what we could do, how we could take care of her and where we were going, tonight her dad and I checked her into a hospital.

Tonight my house is quiet. Her dad has paced so much that he must have circle the Earth 4 times by now. Our son fell asleep in my arms and my eyes and cheeks burn from crying so much. I know she will be ok I feel it in my heart. She has to be because this is my baby girl and I will not breathe without her and life won’t happen without her.

She’s got to come home she’s got to be alright and she’s got to be here NOW! I want her here NOW! She’s a good kid, and shouldn’t be alone in a room without her hamster or her stuffed animals or me down the hall to tell her it too late and to get to bed. I’m not a patient person, everything has to happen on my schedule and this time I’m not the one in control. I can’t fix this with a kiss on the boo-boo and a Band-aid! This one minute just took 10 minutes to pass ... so can you explain to me how I'm going to get through the next hour?! Ok I’m going to breathe in and the out and then in … and out… she’s going to be ok... right?

ArtWalk

2007-09-07T10:32:00.001-07:00

This morning I woke to this:

Despite the heat, the humidity, chance of fire and the recent earthquakes off the coasts … this is why I moved to San Diego!

Right now I’m waiting for my son to appear on LIVE TV for Artwalk On The Bay (my employer). This is an amazing group of artists that come to San Diego to sell their art in the foreground of the San Diego Harbor! It’s our second year doing this location in the fall, but we do ARTWALK in Little Italy every spring for the past 23 years!! Both events are AMAZING and if you are in San Diego this weekend I recommend coming down and checking this out!

If I can get feed of Michael on TV from U-Tube I’ll be posting it a bit later. Right now I’m going to beam like a Proud Mom and continue to watch my amazing kid!

School Daze

2007-09-04T10:52:00.000-07:00

Kids were up at 5 this morning – I had to mention this because for the rest of the school year this will NEVER happen again.

Stephanie must have tried on every outfit in her closet at least 5 times in the past week and accessorized it 100 different ways. Her backpack has been ready since August 24th; I know this since this is the day we got her books at the High School and “HAD TO” get her backpack, before she died that day!

Michael is now a 6th grader AND in a brand new school – he’s ready … I’m not!! This isn’t fair you know, he’s my little guy! He’s the guy I can still play with and not think about it, he’s the one that makes in depth conversation about video games alright and laughing at Sponge Bob ok. This is not fair! When did I give him permission to grow up on me!

This year I’m taking both kids to school. Steph was the normal, easy drop off.

ME: Have a nice day. I love you.
HER: Yup (Car door open – car door slammed closed. She’s up the hill and gone for the day)

Michael wasn’t that easy ... well at least for me. First there was the REALLY long drive to the school.

ME: Ok, got your phone; your water; money for lunch; your back pack?
HIM: Yes, mom. (door opens)
ME: Ok, now you know where to go at the end of the day right?
HIM: Yes, mom (backpack out the door)
ME: And if you need anything, you can call me …
HIM: Mom, I love you but I got to go. (his body is out the door)
ME: Honey, I love you too, have a good day.
HIM: (Back in car – BIG HUG and kiss) I love you too mom, drive safe. (door closes)
ME: (Choking back tears – whispering to myself) I love you my baby…

And that was it. My baby boy was gone and in his place there was a big 6th grader taking on the world.

I’m here at my desk, still choking back my tears, trying not to think about my little guy in the sea of big kids. I know he’s doing great – that’s what Michael does. He’s one of those people that can adapt to any situation you throw at him. So he can be the “Big Kid” from 7am till 5 when I get home, but after that, we are SO watching Sponge Bob!

What I did on my 3-day weekend…

2007-09-03T22:19:00.000-07:00

I completed my works in progress… well most of them.

I’m so proud of my Thuja purple/blue socks. I wanted to make a pair for me to pad around in the winter when it gets a bit chilly. Hopefully it will happen soon; this San Diego heat wave has been killing me. The first one has a few mistakes and was knitted a bit looser than the second, but overall I’m very happy with the final product. Enough so that I’m officially hooked on knitting socks, as evidenced by my joining the Monkey Sock swap! OMG fingering yarn AND a pattern … I’m nuts!!

I also finished BOTH Fat Bottom Bags!! Yay me!! The hardest part of these wasn’t even the crocheting it was remembering how to use the sewing machine for the lining! On the first bag (chocolate brown) the lining is about ¼ “ from the edge of the bag and you can see the difference when you look at the fisherman white bag where the lining is right to edge. Still, I like both and think they are going to make excellent presents ~ these two are earmarked for the nurses who got me through my surgery!

These are SO much fun to make … I started the Fiber Therapy group on a Crochet-a-Long (CAL) and so far, I haven’t heard anyone yelling out in terror. Of course, I have a few expert crocheters out there (Karla and Gabbies, you know I’m talking about you!!)

I am disappointed with myself that I still haven’t finished my lap-ghan for the Oncology Department at Children’s Hospital. I need to make 6 squares and putting this thing together, in black no less, a bear. Both Michael and Stephanie keep telling me how great it would look on their beds, but this one is definitely going to Children’s … maybe if I ever get bitten by the wild hair of doing squares again, one of them will get something similar.

Speaking of Children’s, I did add a beanie hat to my group to deliver on Wednesday. This one was on and off the needles within 24 hours and gave me a chance to practice the dreaded Kitchener Stitch. (I even got to sneak this one into the movie theatre too). So with everything OFF the needles there were a few things I did get ON the needles -

1. A Dishcloth (for my swap) Such at the pretty muted pastels

2. Monkey Sock (also for aSwap) I love the blues of this yarn
3. ANOTHER Fat-Bottom-Bag in Claret Red for the CAL
4. And just because I don’t have enough going on, I’m starting the Short n’ Sweet Bolero from Debbie Stolero’s Happy Hoo*er for Stephanie. Thank you Gail for recommending the lighter weight yarn, your right, worsted would be too bulky! Hopefully I will have this one done by Homecoming…

Yes ... Another Swap

2007-09-02T01:10:00.000-07:00

In the words of Jim Carrey from The Mask ... Somebody Stop Me!

Last night while watching the MDA tele-a-thon, among other things, I was surfing the world of blogs and found another swap. This one isn't going to be as challenging as the sock swap for me, and in fact might be the "recess" I need ... so of course I joined it.

So here is my questioner for my partner .. with answers:

FALL INTO AUTUMN Dishcloth Swap

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been doing it? Been crocheting since I was 6 ... knitting since I was 10. Have mostly been crocheting, but recently found knitting again, and can't seem to stop!

2. Have you made dischloths before? Do you use them yourself, give them as gifts, or both? Yes -- and both!

3. What's your favorite cotton to make cloths from? What cotton would you like to try that you haven't before? Been using Peaches n' Cream and Lily's
4. If you knit, do you prefer circular or straight needles? For all, do you prefer wooden, metal, or plastic needles? Just getting back into knitting ... so its ALL good!

5. What are your favorite colors? Any colors you don't like much? Mostly purples, mauve, pinks are my favs ...
6. What do you like best about Autumn? Everything - colors, smells, holiday ...
7. Pies: Pumpkin? Apple? Pecan? All of em? or No Thanks! All please!
8. When you were a kid, were you the one who couldn't wait to get started with school , or the one who overslept on the 1st day? I'd be ready to go in August ... LOVED the first day!
9. Do you celebrate Halloween? Can I celebrate daily??!
10. If you had to choose just 3 edible 'goodies' to eat for a full year, what 3 would you choose? Peanut Butter M&M's, Dove Milk Chocolate bars, Cadbury Nut & Fruit bar (hmm chocolate.. YUP!)
11. Do you have any pets? Kids? Husbands who seem like kids? 1 teen, 1 pre teen and one 30-yr old teen (he's the one with the comic books and video games!!) 2 Hamsters
12. If you were to describe a particular yarn that shares traits of your personality, what would it be and why? Right now -- Tofu-tsies (I think I just love to say it... lol)
13. Do you use your cloths mostly for dishcloths, or as facecloths? Right now they look really pretty in the kitchen ... to nice to use (yet)!
14. Favorite Fall Holiday: Halloween or Thanksgiving and why? I can't choose! We start about mid October (although we have Nightmare before Christmas in the house all year long) and I LOVE the fall!! Maybe it's from being a New England kid all my life now transported to San Diego but I love the fall feeling and colors.
15. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should know about? Cat fur .. and an occasional Monday!

I'm in a (Monkey) Sock Swap!

2007-08-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

Oh my - I can't believe I joined a Sock Swap.... and I barely have completed my second pair of socks! Maybe its because these are the ONLY thing that everyone seems to fit into without major adjustments??!

Anyways - for my swap partner .. here are my Monkey Sock Swap THREE Questionnaire answers ...

The basics: Do you consider yourself a beginning sock knitter, an intermediate, or have you been doing this so long you could probably knit a pair in your sleep? This will be my third pair of “real” socks (the kind I actually follow directions for) but I’m totally addicted!!

The measurements:
Shoe Size: 9 to 9-1/2 (this is were I blame the children right)

Foot circumference: 9-1/2"
Foot length: 10"

Yarn Preferences:

What colors do you love? Shades of purples and pinks
Do you prefer solids or variegated? solids
Do you prefer wool, cotton or acrylic yarn? I live in San Diego, so cotton or soy over wool ANY day
What colors would you never wear? Orange and black
What are your favorite brands of yarn? Crystal Palace and SWTC .. yet they all are so YUMMY!
Are there any new brands you would like to try? soys, bamboos, cottons are top of the list right now

Knitting Gadgets:
Favorite needles. Plastic, metal, bamboo or wood? Only like the wood and metal... yucky on plastic

Are there any knitting accessories you don’t have in your collection but would like? I just got back into knitting and realized I don't even have a decent tape measure. My sock blocker right now is a wire cover coat-hanger (so ghetto!)

Cookie A. Patterns:

Which of her patterns have you already knit? None yet ...

Which pattern(s) would you like to knit and don’t already own? Thelonious and Mona look interesting
Other pertinent information:

Would you be willing to have an international Monkey Pal or do you prefer one in the US? Either is fine

Do you have any allergies? cat hair
Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals? Only animals are the children … do they count?
Are you on Ravelry yet? If you don’t mind having new friends, what is your Ravelry name? On the waiting list …

***

So this should be fun if anyone is interested, check out the following Monkey Sock Swap. It should be a BLAST!! Now off to create my "secret identity" email WHOO HOO!!

Reset!

2007-08-25T23:24:00.001-07:00

I got a REALLY cool gift today from someone in my knitting group!

I just met Heidi about 2 months ago when I started my Knitting and Crochet group,and, in fact, the individual that named our group Fiber Therapy - boy did she get that right!!

Today she gave me back a part of my life that I thought I wouldn't be able to have for a while ... with a knitting machine. Sounds simple right? Nope - about 12 years ago, I left 3 of my machines in Connecticut with my mother when I moved to San Diego. I really expected to get them once we were settled. I didn’t get a chance to since my mother sold my childhood home, with all everything in it. I love knitting and crocheting by hand, but I have missed the ease and creativity of a knitting machine has to offer (and the speed)!

Some how in conversation this morning it came up that I missed my machine, Heidi said I’m welcome to hers, and then, somehow, by one this afternoon I’m setting up her terrific knitting machine in my garage!! I’ve already started on re-working some of my old patterns I use to use in CT. The elves can have their shoes; I’ll have my sweaters, socks, scarves… and everything else!!

(this is the lady in question, hiding from all the fame and publicity this blog is sure to give her!!)

So today I had my reset button hit. Heidi gave me back a part of me that I thought I would never have again. And you know that yarn stash I was determined to only knit from, Heidi included the cone yarn to go with the machine … so I’m going to be busy.

What am I doing blogging?? I should be knitting!!

Nod to simplicity

2007-08-23T23:06:00.000-07:00

Every once and awhile someone touches your life when you least expect it and when you most need it and didn’t even realized you were need of a helping hand. A lot of those times, we are just going through our day to involve to even notice that we are lost and then all of the sudden, they are there. With the most obvious answer to what you thought was the most complex situation in the world.

WARNING THIS IS NOT A FIBER BLOG IN ANYWAY!!

This is Laura. When I was little I thought you could only have one best friend and she had to be yours. And it was like that forever and then I grew up and found out you can have best friends to complain about your job to, your boyfriend or husband, to raise your kids with, or just pal around with. Laura is someone who I get the joy of doing all that with! About 7 years ago I threw a “meet & great” for the people I was chatting online with in San Diego and Laura was one of the people that showed.

The really cool part was that were everyone was in competition to be the prettiest, the smartest, the cutest, Laura and I got a chance to talk and and there was no competition just a true friendship building. Years later, she and I have seen each other through broken hearts, mine and hers; through children entering the “teenage years”; through being thankful when the important call from her daughter was about her getting married and not having a baby (3 years later we are now waiting for the first born baby); we have changed jobs; had health issues; girl nights when we were a bit to tipsy to drive or remember we asked the other to call someone for a ride; and most important, those times in your life when you just want to talk to your friend!

She calls me her personal GPS and she is my drama minimizer! I’m so blessed to have her in my life and helping me make what I thought were impossible problems (my surgery and car), the simplest.

I know when we are in our 70's we might still be giggling till late in the morning about the silliest and strangest things. We might not talk every day but we know everyday we are there for each other.

Stitching from my stash (aka Fiber Therapy)

2007-08-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

I’m stitching from my stash!

I’m making a promise to myself that I can not spend any new money on yarn for remainder of the year. That doesn’t mean I can’t get NEW yarn, it just means if I have the receipt and I’m not stitching with it I can take it back to the store in question and exchange it ONLY! (ps trading with friend's who have a stash is completely acceptable too!)

No more going in and returning $5 and buying $25. Nope not any more! And if I can’t think of anything to do with it then I’m going to have to turn to my friends and have them “inspire” me and get me moving on it. I’m determined to clean out at least 2 stash areas!

There are several sad things about this picture.
1. I only dumped 2 of my stashed bins out, the third and fourth ones I forgot about.
2. I have a box of 10 fingering weight cones coming in from eBay this week
3. I found 2 bags from Michael’s with RHSS on my rocking chair that didn’t make it into the stash, nor into the re-organization after the picture.

The “problem”, if you can call it, that is I live in wonderful San Diego! I NEED family and friends in cold places like Alaska or Upper Michigan to send holiday gifts to. I want to make big woolie sweaters and thick heavy blankets. I could make beautiful scrap blankets till the cows come home, but when you have the A/C cranked all week its hard to think that it might ever be “snuggle-up” weather again here!

I will say that I must have one of the most understanding families. Yarn on the dining room table, yarn on the kitchen counter, on the couch, stitching discussion with the 12 year old boy during dinner (yep he stopped talking about video games now that he found a crochet hook), and I won’t even mention the bedroom or closet!

I foresee a bunch of socks, dish clothes, shrugs and shawls in my future, but I’m serious about this. Looking back at my past few blogs, I must be since it’s been a topic of a few of them (blush) and I have been stitching in between all that addiction.

So I’m resolved – I’m stitching from the stash. Anyone else want to make the same resolution with me, so I can call you when I get weak?? After all Fiber IS Therapy!

Socks and a bit homesick

2007-08-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

Nope – Stephanie didn’t end up at Children’s hospital getting a cast… but she does make a great foot model for my first sock. I can see the addiction to these little things. Started it on Sunday night, and finished in on Thursday. Now the challenge is to get the second to match the first.

I’m a tad disappointed, but only because it looks like something I wore in the 80’s. Do you remember the big scrunchie socks that we would layer in multi-colors and wear over fishnet? Oh man, we thought we were da’ bomb!! Thank goodness we all were dressing that badly then… or was that only a Connecticut thing?

I’ve been getting really homesick too lately. Maybe it’s because the kids are getting ready to go back to school and there is suppose to be a slight nip in the air, not this terrible heat wave that San Diego is under. Right about now I would be at over at Bishop‘s Orchard getting real apple cider and maybe the first batch of Macon apples. We use to make night runs over to my mom’s restaurant for Friendly Fribbles (sort of like milk shakes but better) and sit out on the curb because even with the A/C on, it was too hot to go in the house, and the pool would be overwhelmed with buggies.

There definitely was a different smell in the air too right about now. Even with the humidity off of Long Island Sound, there was definitely a feeling that you knew that the leaves would be changing soon. Driving up Long Hill Road to the high school, you knew everything soon would be orange, red and rich shades of brown.

Sigh. I miss it. Robert and the kids don’t know that Guilford, Connecticut. Heck, Michael was 3 months old when we left and Stephi was just barely 3 years old. I had 31 years there. San Diego is a wonderful place. 350 days you have 71 degree temperature and crystal blue skies. The other days are rain, some heat, occasional “winter” (of about of 67 degrees!) days.

There is something to be said about the first day of the season when you can put on your turtle neck, your sweater, your socks and your boots, and not break into a dripping sweat. Of course those also are the same days that you are probably shoveling ice and snow from the overnight snow fall and you can’t get out of your driveway. Ok I miss it…for about 15 more minutes I’m going to miss it. Maybe it is because of the sock. Maybe because I haven’t been home in 12 years but I only have another 14-1/2 more minutes to miss it.

Yarn Diet!

2007-08-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

I’m on a diet ... a yarn diet that is!

Last night in a fit of frustration and trying to balance the household budget I pulled out my “stash” and the corresponding receipts. OUCH!! I have projects that have projects! And even if I was to get these all done for the appropriate recipients well I would never get my children’s gift done in time for this Christmas let alone birthday – even if Michael’s b-days wasn’t the day after Christmas the poor guy wouldn’t have anything.

So in a fit of panic, I match receipts to products last night, evaluated what I REALLY wanted to make and what I had time for (like does Jennifer really NEED 3 more baby bibs and matching booties for her shower gift and will it be done in time for the shower nest Saturday?!) Dispite Robert telling me to keep everything since he didn't want me sad (I love this man!), we bagged those items that would go back to the stores.

Thus, today at lunch I went to Michael’s and Jo-Ann’s to return the yarn I was sure I would make some fabulous something or other’s with in the future. It’s not fair! When I got there – the clearance yarn was an additional 50% off … so in budgeting my returns correctly I was able to replace the yarn with MORE at LESS cost and still had money returned to me for lunch!!

Now if I can only figure out a way to budget my calories the same way. I’ll never be skinny, but at least I’ll have plenty of yarn and projects on the needles!

I'm a Fiber Addict!

2007-08-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

Hi ... my name is GeorgeAnne .. and I'm a Fiber Addict!

Yes, I use to giggle under my breath when I would hear knitters and crocheters talk about all their yarn stashes and projects they started. I thought of myself as a "complete-ist" - the type of person that finds pattern for project A, buys yarn, makes project A, complete... lather, rinse, repeat. Yep that was me.

Then this weekend I did a little look at the stash and "Works in Progress" (shaking my head) Oh, the horror! The horror!

1 - Teal Shawl - was going to be for one of the women my "ladies group" for the cruise, but since I cancelled going on the cruise - way too much drama - has now become a Holiday gift.

2 - Chemo blanket - working on granny squares for the first time in over 20 some-odd years for my "Kids in Oncology's" blankets. Its hard enough being a kid, so I'm trying to make these blankets really bright and up lifting.

3 - My Fat-Bottom Bag (that sounds SO wrong!)- I have a feeling these are going to be made in multiples, not only because they are quick and easy, but everyone seems to like / want them - can we say HOLIDAY GIFTS??!

4 - MORE Dishcloths - Thanks to my friend Lisa - I'm giving these another shot. Have the yarn, and needles .. anyone got more time???

5 - last, but far from least - I"M KNITTING SOCKS!!! Again, Lisa (she's my enabler, I think) had me looking at all theyarn in the house thinking I might be able to not only knit but make socks. While at lunch on Saturday she showed me how to refine my cast-on, which was a combination of long-tail and a "well it works" kind of thing.Then she showed me how to do a 1x1 rib cast on. Needless to say, last night while watching my British TV - I'm in LOVE with the NEW Dr. Who! - I did it! I casted on and I'm actually IN PATTERN of my first sock ever!! Now let's hope I can get the second done to match the first.

As I was saying ... Hi... My name is GeorgeAnne ... And I'm a Fiber Addict!

I LOVE GADGETS!!!!

2007-08-11T22:11:00.000-07:00

Just a quick call out -

While at our meeting on Saturday I was working on Fat Bottom Bags from Stitch 'n' Bitch: Happy Hooker.and needed stitch markers. All my life I have used pieces of contrast yarn that I would move up ... and yes 99% of the time wouldn't stay in the piece I'm working in.

I made a call out to the wonderful group if they had any "STITCH MARKERS" and one of my newest members Karla lent me two of these babies from Lion Brand.

OMG!! If you haven't discovered these things yet (like me!) then run to the notion store and GET THEM!! Not only are they great on marking your place, but also for locking your stitches when you put your work down!!

THANK YOU KARLA for the great find ... who knew that grandma wasn't all hip with the technology of a little plastic ring!!

Walking Shoes ....

2007-08-08T12:27:00.001-07:00

I’m a crocheter. I’m usually the one that will smile when I hear you say things like “crocheting is easier … or faster … or” well it really doesn’t matter what you say about crocheting unless you are a crocheter too. (You know the old saying “walk a mile in my shoes” thing) I’m a crocheter not because I don’t know how to knit but it’s because I choose to crochet over knitting.

Back when I was about 6 years old my grandmother sat me down on her lap, which was a good trick since she was barely 4’8” and barely had a lap to speck of, and began to teach me about her love for fiber. On size 10 needles and with the god-ugliest variegated yarn, my grandmother casted on stitches and taught me to knit.

Then I eventually jumped, no I dove, into crochet, I can do a triple crochet with my eyes close just as well as some of my friends can do a socks on those tiny zero double point needles. I love when I can create a baby blanket that will

be passed from generation to generation, or that I can create something with my one loop in crochet that often gets mistaken for a knitted garment. And granted there is a certain satisfaction when I finish a shawl in two weeks. But I’ve watched Lisa knit on those same tiny needles socks in the same time period.

Now that I’ve been crocheting for so long and have something I want to knit, I can’t remember a darn thing! Worse - I feel like I’m failing the “crochet sisterhood”! I tried to make a silly dishcloth. It’s a simple knit, knit below with a four row repeat and I should have no problem with this. NOTE the word SHOULD!! I must have frogged it 3 times until I got this misshapen thing!!! Maybe the kids will use it to actually CLEAN the table and I won’t care what it looks like. Nope, knowing me, I’m going to know every single time I see that thing just how hard I worked on it and how it came out. I’m going to try again – same pattern different color – hoping that the fingers will remember how to actually do the right motions.

Crochet most times goes un-noticed, much. You know its there, sometimes sitting as a doily on your grandma’s couch or as that totally rocken’ fashion shrug. It really doesn’t matter which method we use – just as we both respect each other. Both knitters and crocheters are very talented people who take something that was once just a pile of string and make some of the most beautiful creations.

Now … where are those walking shoes?

Beanies, Granny Sqaures, & Karma

2007-07-26T15:41:00.000-07:00

In addition to all the other projects that I would like to work on, start, and complete my Fiber Therapy Group (aka my Meetup) has decided that we are now going to give back to the community. Yes I know I was the one that brought this up a few posts ago, but who knew that this would develop not only a life of its own, but a soul too!

There are 3 levels to the "do-gooder" efforts. Part 1 is the "Baby Blankets" being chaired by Tina. She is one amazing lady and a crocheter too, so of course I adore her! She researched the hospital's needs and came up with the 6" square program. So now the hunt is on for pretty pastel baby colors and for me to try to stay in gauge to make 6" squares for this project. AUGH - that's going to be the challenge!

When we started talking about the "Caps for Kids," I had no idea where to turn, who to call, let alone what or how to make these things. This is rather normal for me - I come up with what I consider some rather good ideas and then I surround myself with some incredible people who can make it happen. Needless to say, another one of my great Meetup ladies, Peggy, had already done about 20 baby caps, had the yarn and the pattern to get us going, and enough energy to light the group to do a second community project! So now I have 52 members in my Fiber Therapy Group, knitting and crocheting their fingers away on not only their special projects for family and friends, but now they are giving of themselves to the babies at Children's too. Yup there is some good karma there!

I said there is three levels to this karma thing didn't I ... alas, another member of the group, one who I find just a riot to be around, told me about a group in North Country Coastal San Diego ... in case anyone isn't from San Diego and reading this, our "city" is SO large that we don't just have local area's like Kearney Mesa or Scripps Ranch, but then each area is group into larger groups like South Bay, North County - Coastal and Inland, etc... Yeah, its pretty weird being from Connecticut and just identifying locations by where they were off of either I-95 or I-91. In any case, there is this group that makes blankets for the Hospice patients of North County Coastal and, even with everything else that is going on, I felt this one calling to me. For the first time since I was about 15 I'm make Granny Squares for these lap-blankets. I think I can actually see my grandmother smiling down on me for this one since this was "our" stitch.

Now with all these community projects, I want to somehow put out a call to local businesses to see if they will help sponsor us, maybe $10 here or $20 there, for yarn purchases. Well, fiddly-dee, that's a project for another time to think about for another day. (did anyone catch the Scarlett O'Hara accent on that one I wonder??)!

Fiber, fiber, everywhere ...

2007-07-24T18:10:00.000-07:00

It's official! I have fiber running through my veins and it feels REALLY good.
I finished the lavender shawl (finally!) that's been haunting me for over a year to complete. I guess the lesson learned there is do not make a shawl longer than the instructions and use a smaller hook unless you are prepared to have it be the project that never, ever ends. It is really nice looking and now I'm not sure if I want to give it away or keep it for myself. For now though, I think this is one pattern that I will not be re-attempting again ... soon (Thanks to Peggy for modeling).

No sooner did I complete the "Bane", aka the lavender shawl, did I start the Grey Beast (yes, I have started naming each project with a little "love nickname" - after all they each have their own personality, so why not?!). There is something to be said for frogging a project that was intended for someone that you no longer talk to and making it for someone who is special in your life ... but WHY did I choose Turkish wool?!?!?! The material in this is wonderful and crochets up sweet and warm, but the fibers have decided that the place they want to be, if not on the shawl, are on my contacts (ouch!). So unless I'm outside working on this one, this may be a slow go project ... when is that cruise again?

Can we say ADDICTION!

2007-07-18T10:34:00.001-07:00

In my "Bag o' Tricks" today I have a grey wool blend for a shawl I'm working on for one of the ladies going on our cruise to Mexico. I'm hoping to have a shawl and a market bag (aka beach bag) for each of the Cruise ladies by the time we go in November for the chilly nights and the sunny days. Lucky for me that there are only the 4 of us going, so far ...

I also have a lavender shawl in there that I seem to have been working on since forever that I think I will be giving to one of my "rebel" friends for the holidays. Hidden in the corner of the bag I have a skein of mint green cotton for another market bag and I'm TRYING so hard not to smuggle in the lavender and white cotton for the Fun in the Sun Floppy Brim Hat that was in Interweave Crochet Spring 2007 edition too.

Laura, my friend for forever, is going to be a grandma! Her daughter is having a baby boy in October and I am SO excited since that means I have someone to make little adorable things for again. (My daughter has hit that age of if I like it then obviously its terrible, and my son is 12, need I say more?). So Jennifer's baby (aka the Future Slytherin) has a nice lacy baby blanket that I crochet for him. This thing started with a pattern from Crochet Today's April 2007 issue, but I got frustrated with the lace. So this has two of the original panels from the pattern, the other 3 and the border are from things I found that I liked doing and thought worked together. I think it looks good and this was my very first pieced together blanket and I'm really pleased about my seams. Yay me!!

My Crochet and Knitting Meet-Up group has become one of those driving forces in my daily life - and I love it!! The other day I picked up a copy of Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time and brought it to the group. It's amazing what coffee and sugar on a Saturday morning will do (and it doesn't hurt that there are great people and 2 Girl Scout leaders - ok I'm a former - in the group).

We started talking about doing something like beanies for the preemies and the Linus Project. There is SO much energy behind this idea. I'm SO blessed to have met these ladies!! Tonight we are doing our evening meeting and I'm sure we are going to have a conversation about how? What? where? and Who? will be benefiting from the groups efforts. I admit it - into the bag will go so fingering weight and yes knitting needles for a baby beenie to start.

All I can say is thank goodness the best place to hide anything in my house is right in plain sight!.

The Panera Meet Up Group

2007-07-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased with the response that the San Diego Crochet & Knitting Meet Up group is having. The first day I thought no one would attend or maybe just a few people would. Now this feels like this has become more of who I really am. I look forward to meeting every Saturday whether it is just to chit chat and maybe weave in a few loose threads, or learn a some method that has evaded me for years, or just the general encouragement on what I might have thought look (shrug) sort of OK.

I never had more than one project going at a time. Now I'm so pleased to be walking around with 2 or three different ones in my "bag of tricks" that I'm not ashamed of bringing with me everywhere. I even was crocheting at the movies the other day until the girl behind me was counting out loud and I found myself loosing count on a simple 5-chain spot - lol).

Maybe I am getting a tad carried away - after all I AM planning a Knitting and Crocheting Camping Trip but its gonna be fun! Some groups knit in public, knit on cruises - well I'm gonna knit in nature! The Kids are excited and they even might want to start learning to do something my grandmother taught me years ago ... and then my mother continued to develop. I just hope they do learn - but I'm not going to force it on them.

My goal here is to expand my Meet Up site and maybe have the type of blog that people will actually (gasp) read and talk about. Right now its for me and my thoughts and a place to keep my ideas. And if you are reading this, this is my disclaimer that this is NOT the rantings of a woman that got locked away in a yarn store ... just someone that realized that she found her peace!