Why Do You Ask?

I don't want a sweatshirt. I'm not cold.

Survey Says

Not that I'm going to listen. I almost always just do what I want without worry about what anybody else is going to think. But just in case I decide to go into an indecisive funk.....

Whatcha think?

Two all mixed up?

Or two color groups?

I'm leaning toward the first. 'Cuz this later one feels a little too matchy-matchy for me. I know Mom, I know.

Anyone with any experience in this matter (ahem, Dana?), or without experience for that matter, please feel free to chime in any other ideas too.

As long as it's understood that I just might ignore them. ;-)

Time for a Game

Thanks for the love yesterday, ladies. Really. And I hope you all do know how comical I actually find my own chaos. I will probably not have to resort to stiff drinks or actual therapy. Just wretching up a bit of "word vomit" (I said it, Heather!), seems to have done the trick. The half of the ridiculousness that is not caused by my children's antics is caused almost entirely by my own. And sometimes I do get a little mucked up in the cruddy bits, but mostly I just roll with it.

Oh, and speaking of children's antics. Anybody know what this is?

Yup. "M is for Marshmallow."

And for "MOSTLY, I don't think she ate any glue."

Ramble On Therapy

Oh, hello there. I haven't been meaning to not be here. I've composed several posts in my head. And wrote one (horridly self pitying and depressing) in a notebook. I'd like to "do it all" (whatever that means); I'm just going insane.

Last week developed into a couple grumpy days and some grumpyish/sickish sorts of children. And then I took Tate to school leaving the breezeway door wide open. I did lock the door to the house at least, but I just drove away and never even noticed. I "wasted time" at Salvation Army while Tate was at school, purchasing a darling vintage book that later turned out to have a page missing. I know I can't expect much for 69 cents, but it made me crabby. I left school twice and had to turn around and go back. The first time for boots and the second for Tate's papers. When I tried to start a project at home I ::ahem:: inadvertently referred to a "clamp" as a "vice grip" when asking my husband where to find such an item. He couldn't understand why it wasn't in the bucket. I couldn't understand why it WOULD be in the bucket and didn't get anywhere with the project other than carrying my piano bench downstairs. We had an "incident" at school with Calvin. Everything is fine and I guess he didn't really even get in trouble. From what I can understand, it was a bit of play fighting that got a little out of hand. Really, I was very proud of Cal. He came to me even before the teacher did and told me what happened and apologized. But still, it happened and somebody else's mother seems to be very upset about it and, as much as I know Cal wasn't in the wrong any more than the other boy, I don't like thinking there is a mom out there that sees my boy as a deviant. Then on Friday, Ellerie decided to flood the upstairs bathroom by overflowing the sink. I was on the phone and loading the dishwasher when suddenly water started pouring out my kitchen light fixture! ACK! And, for some reason, I've decided to up the ante on potty training Elle because I am SO RIDICULOUSLY SICK OF HER UNCOOPERATIVENESS IN THIS DEPARTMENT. Oh, right. That was the reason. So much for girls being easier to train that boys. And so much for cloth diapers encouraging them to use the potty sooner. My kids could make bunk of just about any rule of thumb you throw at them.

My house is a wreck. There's a hole in my kitchen ceiling. I am not allowed to have a rational conversation with my husband in order to make decisions about anything as long as the kids are awake. I'm behind on the laundry, AGAIN. I was 20 minutes late to preschool, AGAIN. Tate dumped a half a bottle of juice on the kitchen floor today. Let's just say things are a bit dicey around here. Call it winter blues or cabin fever or a family of monkeys, it's all the same to me. But that neck warmer up there? That one's for me.

Sewing Lesson

Cal was home from school yesterday with a sore throat. It really was sore, I'm sure. His glands were like hard little marbles in the sides of his neck and all swollen up on the inside. But he didn't have a fever and was, in general, okay. In fact, he spent much of the day driving me nuts and fighting with his brother and making me yell that I really wish I had sent him to school because he didn't seem very sick to me. Admittedly, I was having a crabby day myself yesterday and his agitating behaviors and general stirring of my "normal routine" pot just did nothing to soothe my already ruffled mood.

In the morning, I worked out. That was good except when Cal went over trying to lift all the free weights and proceeded to yell at me "but I CAN" when I told him to put them down before he dropped one on his foot or hurt himself. Then he informed me that he wanted to start lifting weights. AAAHHG. "Cal, you're too young to lift weights. It's not good for growing muscles and ligaments. The only exercise you need is just to run around and play. I am NOT teaching you how to lift weights." This was followed by more yelling and defiance. My blood was boiling with him at this point, but a switch went on in my brain as I recalled a request of his over the weekend.

"Teach me to sew, Mama."

Ah... A DIVERGENCE! And it worked.

I was actually pretty impressed with his care and concentration. He even had decent control over the pedal and feed.

A small rectangle of art.

Only now he wants to actually make something.

Now me TEACHING Calvin just about anything never seems to end well. BUT, it's better than a six year old weight lifting.

::deep breath::

I can do this.

Right?

Yeah. Those Sticky Buns?

Caramel Sticky Buns from Artisan Bread? YUM doesn't even begin to cover it.

Gifts and Plans and Ramblings and Feedback

I mentioned that I used to work at a dental office, but what I didn't say about that experience was that I have never in my life worked with a better group of women than what I did at that office. Our ages probably span close to 30 years, but we get along fabulously and still keep in touch. Last night, in fact, we all went out to dinner at a fab little Italian place downtown. We were celebrating my dear friend Angela's birthday and also providing some support and encouragement as she has found herself in the midst of a very difficult time. We had a great night out talking and eating until 10 o'clock. They practically had to throw us out of the restaurant! It was a good reminder for all of us of the importance of our friends and it got me out of the house!

I forgot to take pics of all the neckwarmers I made for Christmas gifts, but I made one for Angela's birthday and remembered...

It is just like the one I made for my MIL, with a different choice of button, and based in this pattern over at Loop. I used three skeins of a chenille- like yarn. I think it was called suede or something. Hard to tell the colors from my picture, but they are cream, brown and a deep purple. Made a lovely thick, soft and warm scarf. This is one I'd like to do for myself at some point.

There has been some other knitting going on for my soon-to-be-known nephew, but I can't show any of that yet. I have all sorts of ideas for the little chap, but then, I always have IDEAS. This here is a big one. The blanket? My brother's when he was a tot.

That hole? Burned lying on a nightlight. The top of the binding is in pretty rough shape too. But what has been rolling around in my head is a way to patch that hole and maybe turn it into a little play blanket..... you know different textures and doodads to keep him interested before he REALLY gets mobil. (Not my brother, just the baby). Yesterday, I got out a bunch of stuff from my scraps and was bursting with ideas. So, since this won't be an OFFICIAL gift, whatcha think A & A?

And, while I'm seeking feedback.... Sherrie? The flash has totally brightened the colors here... they look more like the pic of the skein I sent you. Dark browns, greys, blues and purples. But how are you feeling about the stitch? The side that goes against your neck is smooth and flat.

Happy thoughts for Friday and the weekend. I'm off to try the challah dough for sticky pecan rolls from Artisan Bread, to drool for a bit over Mad Hungry (yes, it is here already!) and to tackle washing all the sheets.