Hello

So last year I misread a blog post - went thru some of my yarn and boxed up about a dozen boxes to send to a person who was collecting them for knitters in Japan. Well, I missed the deadline because SOMEHOW I missed the fact that they only sent them one time that year. I had already mailed off 2 - 3 boxes.....have no idea what happened to those boxes. But I tell you, since then I have been picking thru those boxes and using some of that giveaway yarn!

Currently on Ravelry there is a group that wants dishcloths to take to Haiti when they do their ministry. So I went thru my 2013 knitting calendar and found 5 dishcloth patterns. So I went upstairs to the cotton box....and picked out 5 different colors. I then saw that someone in the group had designed a cloth, so guess I will make 6 total!

Two are done....one is on the needles.....it is slow, but one way to knit down the stash!

Helped hubby spade and turn the dirt in our veggie beds last night. Hubby did most of it - and the rorotilling - fixed up the dirt with additives  - and then planted fava beans for a cover crop. And then pulled out a paper and planned how and the basics of what, we will be planting next year. But oh my hands hurt so bad for the rest of the day.....500 mg of Tylenol took the edge off. But amazingly - knitting made them feel better!

I have a stretch of time off in February and guess what? We just booked a stay at Disneyland. Shhh....dont tell our kids! This is a trip just for us!!!! LOL. I am working on the flights but hubby is on the phone so cant talk to him.....hope we dont miss out on the deals!

EDIT: So when we first spoke about this on Saturday husband said - oh this would be fun, just the two of us sneaking down and enjoying it. Our backup plan was going up to the Napa area - just the two of us.....So after we confirmed our reservations on Monday - what was the very first thing he did? Called both girls and told them - and invited them along!!!!!!!
When I complained about "just the two of us" turning into a family thing - I got a big time lecture about not wanting to spend time with my grandkids.....no, the point I am trying to make is DISCUSS THINGS WITH ME instead of just blindsiding me!

Anyway - got a great deal on the flight too.....

Goodbye 2013

1. Each and every time we had the whole entire family together!

2. Biggest challenge? Starting a 2d new job 6 month after starting the 1st new job - going back to night shift

3. That I do know how to pull my big girl panties up and deal with things?

4. Each and every new challenge is a learning experience - just as each person you meet brings something into your life - whether you allow it to be a positive new challenge/thing or a negative is totally up to you. Time to let the past be the past and only allow positive things affect me.

Now I hope each and every person who reads this thinks about these and answers them - and if you answer them on a blog please link it to me - I would like to read what you wrote. And I know if I read this again tomorrow - I would have some slightly different answers to it!

Christmas Round Up

 A tradition is giving scratchers to everyone - and of course the kids compete to see who wins the most $! - but "Santa" bought some that were very time consuming and difficult!!!!! BUT....from one of those I won $20 which is the most I have ever won!

 Christmas Day at DD.....nice time with DD, SIL, 3 grandkids and the SIL's parents. Got to meet their new puppy

 On the way over to DD house -  wayyyy too hot for Christmas! the best present I got that day? was being put on call and staying on call all night!

 Pre-Christmas Dinner #2.....the crab fanatic being helped by the chef - eating crab sh*#

 The rest of the crew enjoying it!

 I think he likes his light up faux hawk!!!!!

 Beautiful cardinal gifts from a friend - long story behind this - but I am totally in love with the big red bird there!!!!

 We usually have a silly string fight at holidays (ok, but traditions are traditions right? No matter how silly they are!) but this year son bought everyone in the family a Nerf gun. Brought them over Saturday night after cioppino (he does not eat fish unless it is sushi!) and we had a blast!!!! But the best thing ever???? The next morning when my 8 year old grandson told me "MeMaw, you were awesome with that gun last night! You could really shoot fast!!!!" I will remember that compliment forever......

 She played tea parties all the time she was here....and we had to keep wiping up the water....oops, I mean tea.....

Ralphie's first Christmas - he was such a good boy. Never once tried to tear open a package - not even his!!!!

He met his new cousin on Saturday also and he and Lex played all day long! Not sure who had the most fun - or who was the most tired that night!
He wasn't that interested in my daughter's dogs after Roofus (AKA Doofus) growled at him and then Yuke, the big beautiful white dog with autism, came running up at him....he does not do well with dogs running up at him. But for now Lex is smaller than him - wonder how it will be when Lex is bigger than him?

That night DD#2 and her SO went to a movie. Which was fine because 5 minutes after they went to bed the 2 minions were sound asleep. Until midnight that is.....first I heard Ralph roam around but I thought maybe it was DD coming home....then I had the living daylights scared out of me when someone was tapping me on the shoulder and saying "MeMaw the clock is making funny noises" and I woke up to find a midget standing over me! Turns out the alarm clock was going off in their room - the clock her mom put in there to make sure they did not come downstairs until 0800 - well, probably one of the 5 little rugrats played with it or hit something - and the alarm was going off! Woke her right up but her brother never even budged! She went right back to sleep but it took me awhile to let the adrenaline subside....

2014 Resolution

Ok here it is - and it is all because I cannot locate a Christmas present that needs wrapping - in 2014 I am going to try VERY HARD not to buy any yarn or any books. The only books that will come thru the door will be library books or presents......and the only yarn will be if I need something very very specific and cannot find a substitution for it in my stash. After I get those under control.....oh yes, and I will FORCE husband to stick to 4 presents/child or else he does all the wrapping by himself!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Stay safe - drive safely - enjoy your family and friends - and eat as much as you want - calories don't count on Thanksgiving!!!!

Monday Thoughts

Took me an hour but I made it to the Hayward Courthouse before 0900 this AM....found parking and then had to stand in a long line out front waiting to go thru the metal detectors.

They say it is just like TSA screening - except you are not allowed to bring knitting needles and TSA lets you bring them, so they lie....

There are signs to take off metal items - belts - watches - jewelry. This person behind me kept setting off the alarm and finally the deputy looks at her and says "Think it might be all that jewelry?" She looks at him and literally responds "Huh?" And so he tells he she needs to take off that 4" - 5" stack of bracelets she is wearing....all the while, I am sure the line is getting longer.

The chairs in the jury room are EXCEEDINLY uncomfortable....especially during the "HOORAH/aren't we great" video we had to watch.

I was not in the first group called and eventually was dismissed - and the funny thing is, I am kind of disappointed!!!!!

Weird day - must be that beautiful full moon (that had the largest ring around it last night that I have ever seen!). First a car comes up in the left turn only lane which clearly has a red light - the straight ahead has a green - and granted he does slow down, but proceeds to turn left on that red light....and hours later another one just decides the red stop light means for him to go! Luckily people were watching out.

Decided to top off hubby's gas for him (he let me/made me take the car for parking purposes which was good because the spaces are very narrow and most cars end up parking on or over the lines). While I was going in for my change a young woman who looks like she lives a very hard, and maybe medicated life, pulls up in a fairly new Prius. And then approaches me - and everyone else at the station - asking for money for gas.

So I say no and now I am still feeling a bit guilty. Who am I to judge? Maybe she is really down on her luck??? Hopefully this does not respond in bad karma for me (just happened to my son - he went to mail an envelope/package at UPS and they wanted to charge him 3 times what he was charged the week before for the same size package/same weight/same address and of course being who he is - as well as being under stress - he cussed them up and down; and was especially unhappy when they called the manager who was too busy at the movies to even talk to him). Well, on his way to SF he blew out one of the tires of his car!

Happy Birthday - Happy Veteran's Day - Week Wrap up

 It was chilly last night and I am cheap.....didn't want to turn on the heater....so I lit a fire - all by myself! At first I thought, uh oh, something is wrong, pellets are not falling down - oh no, I don't want to tell Tom his baby is broken! But then I realized I forgot to hit the button to have the pellets fall!!

 we watched the boys overnight Sat night.....look at Luke photobombing Connor's photo!
I cannot believe that my first grandchild is 11 ELEVEN years old today!
He was a surprise - and a total blessing in our lives when he finally decided to be born - after many many hours....Our lives would not be the same without this very very loving young man!

 Happy Veteren's Day to LTC (ret) Daniel Leo Sullivan Jr

 and to LT Yola (NMI) Sullivan, RN

 Here is Jack doing his reading.....

 Went to the monthly opening of the Paris Flea Market - one of those shabby chic stores that opens once/month. And now they have a little area that really is a flea market - and I got this full to the brim sewing/knitting basket! Lots of glitter, and sequins, and knitting needles, crochet hooks and embroidery hoops - also lots of elastic if anyone needs some - and some replacement pockets for slacks!

This guy was very tired Sunday after the boys left - and after I took him on his walk. Kept finding him in his bed!

Friday and Sunday I went to several of the stores that were in the Downtown Livermore Open House. One store was so cheerful - friendly - accommodating even tho I did not buy anything ; another could not be bothered to deal with potential customers so even if I had wanted to buy something, I wouldn't have! and on Sunday when I went to the last store, I heard a lot of complaining about one of the stores not being open on Sunday even tho the Open House was advertised for all 3 days???!!!! I spent a little money so that helps the Small Business Shopping - but I think this was earlier this year cause I usually buy some See's candy for presents and it is way too early to buy it (cause I would eat it all!)

Today I bit the bullet and went to the Mall. I HATEHATEHATE shopping (unless it is thrift stores....yarn stores....or book stores!!!!). So I usually go once, at the most twice per year. I was not in there more than a few minutes before I had a headache from all the perfumes and all the noise.

I did get a stocking stuffer for one daughter....I had found a Macy's gift card I had forgotten about and so went there to buy a Christmas present for my other daughter. And they did not have what I wanted. So I spent a long time searching but finally bought myself a purse (with the coupon I even got change back!!).

I also stopped at Nordstroms cause I have a partially used card from there and thought I could get a new wallet.... HA HA HA HA! The cheapest one I found was $88!!!!!!

So then I came home and rested a few minutes (after the mall I went to Walmart - and ended up not being able to get 1/2 my list! What is up with that????).

Decided to take the dog to wash him. He has some hot spots I need to call the vet about and he is really sticky - I think from the boys! Got to Pet Food Express and their bath area was closed. But while there, one of the sales associates was playing with him and noticed his foot was bleeding! She cleaned it up and since it was around/near his nail put some steptic powder on it - he never cried/winced or anything - not even limping.  So now I am afraid to give him a bath (it is such a fight and I don't want to hurt it more) or take him for his walk!

He was good in the car while I ran into the store for 2 items - yes, I broke down and got him a new (stuffing-less baby while at PFE). So went to the PO to mail 2 packages.

The APS was working so I got the postage for both boxes and went to put them into the bin.....and the bin is locked. What??? I go today to beat the crowds and now I have to go back again tomorrow anyway??? RIDICULOUS!

I am felting my mystery knitting project (will post it after Christmas cause I am so thrilled with it - looks so good pre-felting and looking good felting) I know I am going to have to make one for myself!!!!!