The Knotty Mrs. Crankypants

A new post! Finally!

2011-11-28T17:57:00.001-06:00

We are in the new house! It's so awesome to be back in town. I will post pictures soon. We are getting ready for Christmas.

Weekend slacker

2011-08-15T12:17:00.000-05:00

My oldest baby is 21 today. I can't believe it! I wish I could wax poetic about all the time that has passed and all but my memory is shot today. I just can't.
Saturday, instead of walking, we took the younger kids to look at the house. They love it. I love it. Kent is very nervous. I think we can do it. It will be hard for a while, but I think we can.
I made a red velvet cake for the oldest... I cheated a little...

Red Velvet Redux

Ingredients:

1 Duncan Hines Red Velvet Cake Mix
1 box instant white chocolate (hard to find) or chocolate instant pudding mix
4 eggs
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. buttermilk
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions:

Hand mix all ingredients until incorporated and then mix on medium with a hand mixer for 1:30 to 2:00 minutes. Do not overbeat, as it will make the cake tough. Bake at 325 until a toothpick comes out clean, usually about 34-45 mins

It was fantastic. The cream cheese frosting was from a can... I need to learn how to make homemade frosting.

Sunday I took the younger two to go camping with family. I miss them. The oldest is going drinking tonight so Kent and I have time alone! Time to go!

TGIF

2011-08-12T12:11:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, we walked. The dog has realized that chasing frogs is fun. I, however, don't like being dragged into the woods after a frog.
We put $1,000.00 earnest money down on the house! I am so excited!
I have torn apart my bedroom to find my size 7 dpns and I can't find them! I need them to knit hats, mittens and boobies!
I guess I am going to have to buy another set. Sigh...

And on the second day...

2011-08-09T21:13:00.000-05:00

Today we hadbad news.... We are going to spend 200K ... ON OUR NEW HOUSE! HELL YEAH!!!
We have to find 7K for the down payment in the next month. We CANT lose this place!

Oh... and I walked. We found 5 fish on top of the bridge that we kicked into the river. Upon closer inspection we found a flat fish too. That stayed on top.

It's started

2011-08-08T17:56:00.000-05:00

So I was in Chicago for a girls weekend. I looked forward to it!

When I got there, I was so self concious. I didn't have the stamina as everyone else.

I am fat. It needs to change.

I am now paying my youngest to take me for walks. A buck each time.

Today's walk sucked. I am so swollen and sore from the pub crawl on Saturday... My feet barely fit into my shoes.

So day one. Done.

Of Knitting, Hair, School and Poo

2011-04-04T18:04:00.000-05:00

LOOK!!! The sock from hell is done! I think I will start the second one about June. It's a pretty pattern, but I knit it tight in the cabled parts. I couldn't get it on any one's foot before I blocked it. I blocked it on a Poweraid bottle.
Now I have started on what I think will be a Hockey Fundraising pair of socks:

Speaking of hockey, I won a raffle for one of the tournaments held at Heritage Arena. A $25.00 gift card to Buffalo Wild Wings, a rolling Igoo Cooler, 2 bottles of icky dry wine that I can give as gifts, a growler of locally brewed beer, three different kinds of fucking hot peanuts and a box of nice chocolates. Here is a pic!

More hockey, you ask? Why sure!
Kay tried out and got a spot on the Selects team! Phase one. Phase two is to play well and get an invite to try out for the Minnesota Selects. Then on to Nationals (that's phase 7) where she will work with Olympians in Rochester NY! We are super excited.
Segway to Kay (see what I did there Roy?). We just got word today that she is expected to carry a purse and not a backpack for her diabetic supplies. The English teacher has complained to the principal. Other kids in the class, non-diabetics can carry a backpack but for some reason, she is being singled out. It is in her school health plan that she can carry a backpack for her supplies if she wants. She HATES purses. She is not a girly girl (her words). In fact... She announced that for her 15th birthday, she wants to wear a little black dress, make up, heels and hair doo. OMG! I FINALLY get to go dress shopping with my daughter!!! I am sooooo excited! We have to find a garter belt for her pump. She doesn't want one from Medtronic... she wants the full on lace. hehhehhehheh! I am so excited! Did I already say that?

Hair! I got my hair did! I got a perm. Not as spectacular as I wanted it to be... but it's nice and not frizzy. The stylist hated me... I had her jumping through hoops to make sure it turned out ok.

Our toilet is finally thawed! No leaks! Now we (read: Kent) need to get water flowing back into the house so we don't have to flush it with a bucket of water each time. No more stinky porta potty! YAY!

Awesome Art!

2011-01-26T16:14:00.000-06:00

Amazing Statues!
These are amazing! All made out of cloth!
Please check them out!

How slow can you go

2011-01-23T19:21:00.000-06:00

OH MY BOB
This sock is taking forever!! Plus it's a little tight.
HOWEVER
I am not going to frog it! I will finish it and block the hell out of it.

Shots from the edge of sanity

2011-01-09T15:23:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pictures from our place over the last month.

I am to old for this crap

2011-01-07T22:04:00.000-06:00

Ready for this? It's a long story...
Yesterday we went to Elk River for my daughter's hockey game. Before the game we picked up my inlaws in Hinckley.
The games were good, both teams lost.... Kay is having some problems with team mates and one coach. I can't be the meddling mom that I want to be, so it's taking all I have not to jump in and fix her problems.
After the game we piled back in the really cold Suburban and made our way towards home. As we approached a small town, I noticed a burning smell. (of course, I am a female, so the smell was from a home we just passed)
A mile from the small town, the drive belt broke. Can I call them or what?
We limped back to the small town and Kent called AAA. Renora and I went and read our books in Subway. Once the men rejoined us, we ordered our food and waited for AAA to move heaven and earth to get us a tow truck that has a crew cab so we can go home at the same time.
A little time line stuff... the belt broke about 9:30 and Subway closed at 11:00. We walked to the Super 8 down the road (double digit negative windchill) and awaited our chariot. It was 12:30 by the time the truck came, but it was not a crew cab. Kent and his dad were voted off the island to take the 'Burban to Hinckley and pick up the Caddy to get me and Renora.
I was too tired to knit, I KNOW! Luckily I had a book. We had a bit of entertainment. About 2:30 a young man came in the entryway and wanted me to open the door. He wanted to get a room. Since I am not an employee, I didn't let him in. He had to ring the front desk manager like everyone else. I guess Dbuma the front desk man needed his sleep, he refused to let this kid in. After a little slamming the kid went back to his car. As he drove by the door, he rolled down his window and flipped me off! Then he drove a few more feet and raised the one finger salute higher so I could see it through the window, just in case I didn't see it the first time. It stabbed me right through the heart ya know... NOT
I finally called Kent at 3 AM. The Caddy broke down!!! Kent and his dad had been pulled over by the county mounties because as highway patrol man passed by the Caddy, he smelled burning fluids. Turns out, it was the transmission.
Soooo... Kent had to call AAA again for another pick up, thank goodness they are free! They got the crew cab this time.
So, at 4:00 AM we got picked up from this Super 8 hotel. They were so nice to us! We didn't have to pay to squat in their lobby. I got to sit in the front seat on the way back. Normally my mother in law sits in the front. It was kind of nice.
We were able to get a room at a hotel in Hinckley. However, I didn't bring my pills along. Kent was superman again and walked to the convenice store and picked me up a 3 packets of pills... Tylonol PM, Advil PM and Benadryl. They are not the same as my Anti Crazy pills but I was able to sleep.
We were woken up at 10 AM by the repair guys. The Suburban was done. I don't quite recall all that happened after that. I was still drugged. I know we went to the inlaws so Kent could take them grocery shopping. Then we came home and I have been in bed since. I get to take all my pills tonight and I should be back on par tomorrow!
Tons of fun!

2011-01-04T20:16:00.000-06:00

Cute but dangerous!

Once upon a time, I could be called that...

Now I am glad I can be steady, reliable and mostly wrinkle free.

It's the new year

2011-01-01T19:13:00.000-06:00

And because Maven said so, I am resolving to blog more.
I am going to also take the advice of another friend and keep it positive. It might not happen, but I am positive I will try.

Today was filled with nothing! I did nothing but get better.
Tomorrow I am going to take some kid pictures and direct them in the proper way of writing a thank you card.
Right now, I am going to watch the outdoor hockey winter classic with my family while working on my Esther socks.

Just an off day

2010-08-18T20:18:00.000-05:00

My oldest son just made great strides to go back to school.
However, I am just not feeling it today.
It's been raining all day. One of my MWDAS ho-horts passed away. I am falling behind on my knitting.
I miss my other kids and my husband. They come back on Friday. I think I can make it.
Tomorrow, I go to town. Day one of partner workout. I hope it is THE thing.
Other's have it worse. I just have my pitty party for now.

2010-06-30T23:50:00.000-05:00

All marble... amazing work.

When will I learn?

2010-06-05T17:51:00.000-05:00

When I think my father can't do more to hurt me... he does.
There was a grave site service for my brother. Mom and I were not invited. How rude to not invite the man's sister and mother!!
I am done

Memorial Weekend

2010-05-28T15:47:00.000-05:00

I miss my brother. We were not close. In fact I think he hated me.
What I mourn right now is the time we no longer have to rebuild a relationship.
He forgave me before he died. I forgave him. I still hurt.
I can't go to the cemetary this weekend. Even if I could make it, I don't think I would be welcomed.
How do I make things right? Should I? I have been trying for years. Will they be more open now that he is gone?
I love you Rob. You did a lot for the country and I know we are all greatful. I miss you a lot. I will think of you a lot this weekend.
You are my hero.

C25K Day One

2010-04-12T16:53:00.000-05:00

It rained today. We have dirt roads out here and running wouldn't be a joy. I have put it off until tomorrow.
I don't know if I am looking forward to it, but, I need to start.
I guess I am looking forward to the person I hope to become.
Here's to new beginnings...

PS to the post below

2010-04-12T16:50:00.000-05:00

If anyone read the post below, I am sorry, I can't continue.
I know that a blog is supposed to talk about everything going on in ones life, but there are some things I just wont expose to the world wide web.
To do the teal deer thing... in one week I lost my brother and my dad.
My dad didn't die, but he and his wife made it very clear I was not to be a part of their family.
I don't mourn for that. I mourn for the time I no longer have to rebuild the relationship we could have had with my brother. I mourn for his wife and kids. I mourn for my mother who lost her only son.
Thanks for reading it.

There are no words

2010-03-13T15:10:00.002-06:00

But I will try.

January 12th, my brother, Rob, came home on leave from Afghanistan to his family in New York. On January 15th, while at a party, Rob collapsed. It was determined while he was in the hospital in New York that he suffered a stroke. He used to be a paratrooper, yeah, he jumped out of perfectly good airplanes, until he broke his leg a few times. Separate times. "They" think that clot that caused the stroke came loose from the breaks.

Rob was transferred to Walter Reed and while he was there they found that he had cancer. Further tests showed that it was stage 4 pancreatic cancer with liver and spleen involvement.

They moved him to Mankato, our hometown to be closer to family and friends. The goal was to fatten him up and make him stronger so he could have chemo. He lost 50-60 pounds while he was overseas.

After a few weeks of being in the Mankato hospital, he was moved to a swing bed facility at the Waseca hospital. He was there barely a week when he another stroke. One that incapacitated him. His breathing was down to two breaths a minute and his heart rate was at 70. That was when he was put on hospice care or palliative care.

On February 21st the nurses decided to get him up for a shower (the man couldn't sit up by himself, I just don't know how they were going to give him a shower) and his heart gave out.

Ok....so that's the time line. Now here come the touchy feely part.

I went down to Mankato when my mother went because she wouldn't be able to handle it alone. She wasn't allowed to be in New York with her son. I KNOW! Why? I don't know why his wife told her not to come. So, she was finally able to see him when he came to Mankato. We got there on Feb. 7th, my birthday. When we got there, we could tell we were not welcome, but we wanted to help out in anyway we could. It was hard to see him the way he was. He couldn't get comfortable. He wasn't given enough pain meds, that's for sure. When he was moved to Waseca, I took mom home. Her depression was so bad that she just couldn't keep up with her cleaning, something I know WAY to much about. She was also battling some alcohol abuse and health problems with no insurance. So while I cleaned her house (including fixing some leaks in the plumbing. Oh yeah, I am that good.) I also found her some free health care and very low cost counseling.

We had planned on going to visit Rob on the next Thursday but we got a call on Wednesday by the social worker, telling us that we need to come and see him right away. He had been declining some before the big stroke that doomed him right before we got the call.

I packed up everything, I had planned on going home that Friday anyway, and made the reservations at one of the local hotels.

The trip there was uneventful but when we got to the hospital, it was more of the same. We were treated like we were unwelcome.

More later. My damn fingernails are too long to type more.

'Twas a few days after Christmas...

2009-12-29T16:05:00.006-06:00

and all through the house, I smell something burning, OMG is that a mouse!?!?!?

I had to clean out one of the barely used cupboards in the kitchen today. It shares a wall with the water line to the toilet. There was mouse droppings, but no mice. No burning mice either. That was boxing day dinner. Not a burnt mouse, silly... I accidentally burned the roast a little. It was mostly just the flour/mustard rub, but it dried out a little too much to really be enjoyable. OK. back to the cupboard... I cleaned it out and set one of the little heaters in there. Hopefully it will help thaw out the line so the tank to the toilet fills up. We did get the flushy part cleared of the spoon that was clogging it. The guys replaced the wax seal and wrapped the line with heat tape so it wont freeze again. It flushes when one pours a bucket of water down it.

KNITTING!!!

So here is the latest finished project...
Please don't pay attention to the unclean person behind the wool...

This is the acorn pattern from: http://peasoupoftheday.blogspot.com/2008/12/tiny-knitted-acorn-pattern.html only beefed up in size. Fellow Punkymom Mayim asked me to make it for her daughter who fell in love with the movie Ice Age. I actually made it in time for it to get there for Christmas! Take that procrastination!

I am happy to report that the child has yet to put it down.

My house is way too full of kids. It's not warm enough for them to go outside so they are all indoors playing video games. I think the mean bad mom needs to speak up and make them clean their rooms. Grrrrrr...

Money saving thing I did today?

We got on the keep-fill program with our propane service company. There is a sensor on our tank that sends out a radio signal to a little box in our house. When the signal tells the box that the tank is about 30% full, it will signal the box to call the company and let them know that we need a shipment. Oh yeah. Not only money saving, but time saving.

Dumb thing I have done today?

I don't know what the hell I did to my thumb but it's hot like it has an infection, kind of itches and has reduced feeling in it. Almost like I frostbit it.

Not sure what I am going to make for dinner. We have a bit of ham left from Christmas Eve dinner. Ham and cheese omelets? I have to be careful what I eat... I don't want gas on New Year's Eve. I would rather be gas free at the party. Oh... party. I need to find my Fashion Bug gift card and get a new top. The boys (they are in charge of laundry) have shrunk my good tops.

My son is playing some kind of Mario game in which a dragon has 3 eyes and many dagger like looking nipples.

That is all!

You know the words... let's dance!

2009-12-12T23:52:00.001-06:00

Long time, blah blah...
It's been a struggle to keep my sanity lately. I think many people have this problem at this time of year so I can't say I am unique. I do have to say that now that I have had my hysterectomy, my depression isn't as bad as it once was.
We are officially homeless. We are staying out at our cabin, but it doesn't have hot running water and the furnace didn't work until a few days ago. There is a shower out in the garage with hot water so we are all smelling just fine, when the kids remember to take a shower that is. Heating up water on the stove for dishes really sucks. The water line for the potty froze so we have to refill the tank by hand. Kent got it unplugged yesterday, only to have it plug up again later. Now we are dumping hot water down it to try and move the frozen poodam, again. Do you know what smells worse than a bowl full of excrement? A bowl full of boiling hot excrement.
We do have to travel into town each day to take the kids to school and for Kent to work which ends up to be about $10.00 each day, if we take just one vehicle.
My MIL is fond to say that others have it worse so I shouldn't be too upset. Well, that's what keeps me going. At least we are not living out of the cars.
My house doesn't look a lot like Christmas. I am boiling some cinnamon sticks and ground cloves in the toilet water to help the house smell like Christmas. There are not a lot of places to put even a small tree. My chore for today is to clear up the mess on top of the entertainment center and the credenza so I can at least put up the village.
The kids are adapting pretty well. The younger two have the councilors at school to talk to. The older two... they have their moments, but they are pretty flexible.
I am doing a few commissions, a set of 3 mittens and an acorn, that need to be done by Christmas. I have a commission of a few doggy sweaters that can be done after Christmas. I have the mittens done, I just can't find them all! You know when you set stuff down in a safe place so you remember? yeah. My mind doesn't work like that. I forget where I put the stuff. I am going to have to get some push pins and tack them up on the walls for me to remember.
Pictures will be taken of them once they are found.
I did finish a couple of hats for an old friend who is going through cancer. I heard from her husband that she loves this one...

I am so excited that she likes it! It was a great stash buster. I sent her another one... it's supposed to be a kitty one.

I bought some silk/bamboo for a project for my grandmother but when I heard that Kate needed a hat, I used it. The purple is held double but the white is one strand of the silk/bamboo and one strand of soy/acrylic.
My lovely daughter was feeling goofy the night I took these.

Hockey season is in full swing here in the Minnesota arctic. I am no good at the political stuff that inevitably happens when you get a bunch of adults together. I don't suffer fools and idiots gladly, or quietly. However, if girl child is going to continue to play, either Kent or I will have to be on the board. There are not enough parents of 14U girls or even the 10U girls on it. There are other things wrong, but that's a subject best left for the next meeting.
I love watching the girls play. Each game they get better and you can see the team spirit growing.

I will post recipes and other pictures later... probably not a good idea to post them after talking about poo.

The little angst-er

2009-08-20T14:45:00.002-05:00

Yeah, it's my 13 year old. I am fed up. I can't figure out if it's the diabetes or it's the age. Why am I trying to figure it out? She can't do anything about either one.
Both combined are driving me insane.

A sad pause

2009-08-17T23:22:00.002-05:00

Today we buried Kent's Grandmother's ashes. Ora was a wonderful woman. I wasn't able to go to her funeral because my daughter was in intensive care. I cried more than I really wanted to and more than anyone else.
The graveside service was wonderful. It started off sunny and then as it progressed it clouded over and threatened rain. As it finished it cleared off and got sunny.
I had a hard time when the yard manager helped fill in the grave and tamped down the dirt with his boot.
I will miss her. The last time I saw her was when Kent's uncle brought her out for coffee. She sat, a little overwhelmed and withdrawn and held my hand even as she shut out the world and shut down.
Kent says his memories are of her stabbing his hands with a fork at the dinner table when he would do something wrong.

The feeling of the day

2009-03-14T14:30:00.002-05:00

Today I am feeling a bit melancholly. There are so many things going on that it's hard to break it down into what exactly is causing this feeling.
My reproductive system is doing that thing is does, just 10x more painful than last month. Thank gwad it stopped the every other week thing it was fond of.
I look out the windows and see dogs hanging out of the passenger sides of cars. I wish our dog did that. She is cute, but scared shitless of riding in a car.
Everything is melting. It's a great day! Of course I finished the cashmere cowl last night. It's so heavy, but it looks faboo!!! I will take a picture of it later and push it into this post.
Tomorrow Kay goes and tries out for the AAA hockey team. I am on the fence about her being on the team. Trying out will be a great experience for her, making it will be an expensive venture for us. Practices held 3 hours away and 3 tournaments, one in the Twin Cities, one in Grand Forks and one in Duluth.
We found out on Friday that Kent (my husband) is a match so he can give his father a kidney. I am so very glad that this will help my FIL, but I am frightened about the whole procedure. I tend to be a worry wart, and this isn't helping. There are so many things that need to be done even before a date is set, it's daunting even though it's not me going under the knife!
I can't wait to get my peppers and my tomatoes started! I want to do it before I leave for my mother's. Oh! Wait! Another stordy!
A few weeks ago, mom went through a rough patch and I felt I needed to go out there and spend some time with her. Life got in the way, as it often does around here. Hockey schedules, school stuff and Kolton and Kent getting sick... I just couldn't get away.
One night, Kent was somewhat covertly talking on the phone to his sister. I heard yeses and nos... Then I heard her ask if I would prefer a window or eisle seat. WHAT????
My darling husband booked a flight for me, with his sister's help and miles for next week to go see my mom! What a great guy!
Brownies. Yep. That's whats needed.

Getting Closer!

2009-03-06T18:28:00.002-06:00

Some of you might object....
But I am doing a small happy dance in my chair.
This note was received from the JDRF by a friend.
President Obama plans to sign an executive order expanding the federal government’s support for embryonic stem cell research on Monday. This is a crucial step forward in our ten year effort on this important component of JDRF’s legislative agenda. The article below from the Washington Post provides more detail.
JDRF will learn more about the contents of the Executive Order and the signing ceremonies over the weekend.
We will be issuing an action alert early next week that will direct you to contact the White House after the Executive Order is signed.
Thank you for all of your hard work on this issue.
JDRF Government Relations

Obama to Lift Ban on Funding for Embryonic Stem Cell Research
By Rob Stein
Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, March 6, 2009; 3:52 PM
President Obama is planning to sign an executive order on Monday rolling back restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research, according to sources close to the issue.
Although the exact wording of the order has not been revealed, the White House plans an 11 a.m. ceremony to sign the order repealing one of the most controversial steps taken by his predecessor, fulfilling one of Obama's eagerly anticipated campaign promises.
The move, long sought by scientists and patient advocates and opposed by religious groups, would enable the National Institutes of Health to consider requests from scientists to study hundreds of lines of cells that have been developed since the limitations were put in place -- lines that scientists and patient advocate say hold great hope for leading to cures for a host of major ailments.
Administration officials would not comment immediately other than to say "there will be a stem cell related event on Monday." But an email sent out yesterday from the White House stated that officials were planning a ceremony on Monday "on stem cells and restoring scientific integrity to the government process. At the event the president will sign an executive order related to stem cells." Sources close to the issue, asking not to be named because they were not authorized to discuss the plan, said the order would lift the restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cells.
Because stem cells obtained from very early embryos are believed capable becoming any tissue in the body, scientists believe they could lead to fundamental insights into the underlying causes of many diseases and repair damage caused by a host of ailments, including diabetes, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries, but extracting them destroys the embryo.
President Bush imposed the restriction on Aug. 9, 2001, limiting federal funding to studies of what turned out to be 21 cell lines that were already in existence as of that date to prevent tax dollars from encouraging the destruction of more embryos.
The limitation, welcomed by those who believe that destroying human embryos is immoral, has been denounced by many scientists for severely hindering research one of the most promising fields of biomedical research.
The 21 cell lines that scientists have been permitted to study under the Bush policy have a variety of shortcomings, critics say. Many, for example, may have defects that could make them dangerous to transplant into people. But perhaps more important, hundreds of newer lines have been developed that offer a host of opportunities. Many lines, for example, carry defects for specific diseases.
Because of his long support for such research and repeated promise to repeal the restrictions, proponents expected Obama to lift the restriction in his first week in office, when he issued a flurry of executive orders to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, make government less secretive and lift a ban on funding international family planning groups that support abortion, among other things. But Obama did not, raising concern among advocates that he might be reconsidering his promise.
Opponents have argued that research on human embryonic stem cells has become unnecessary because of scientific advances in the interim, including promising advances, making it crucial to continue to study those cells along with embryonic cells.
Some opponents have suggested that Obama might qualify his executive order to try to take the sting out of the move as part of his effort to find common ground on divisive issues. But proponents expect Obama will simply lift the restriction without caveats and let the NIH work out the details. In anticipation, the NIH has started drafting guidelines that would address the many ethical issues raised by the research, using as models templates compiled by the National Academy of Sciences and the International Society for Stem Cell Research.
Advocates were especially concerned that the delay could force stem cell scientists to miss and opportunity apply for some of the new funding the NIH is receiving as part of the stimulus package.
Despite the executive order, Congress is also likely to get involved by considering legislation designed to prevent any future presidents from reinstating restrictions.
________________________________________________________
I am so for this! I know... some of you believe in life beginning at conception. I guess this could be debated but I don't want to! This will help save my daughter's life!
This is such a long post, I will say no more... except... Yippee!!

No one reads this but what the hell

2009-01-20T17:47:00.002-06:00

So, I lost my job of 3 months. I am really trying not to take it personally. I told them right from the get go at the interview that I don't work well with others. I am a great person for the customers and I do a good job. I just suck at employee relations. They hired me anyway! They fired me because I have a hard time being part of the team. Well, DUH! When someone is doing something that is completely opposite of what we were trained, I will say something, to them. I really tried to suffer the fools gladly and lightly... I really did. It just didn't work.
Add to that the fact that I amost killed my daughter over the weekend. Ok... not quite but she was throwing up her toenails and my lack of knowledge almost put her in the hospital.
Money? We has none.
I am really trying not to let this all force me into a depression spiral. So far, so good.
Is this where I wanted to be when I was younger and thought about turning 40? Fuck no.
I love my kids. Our home is kid friendly. It's not a museum. All my good stuff will stay put away for another 10 years or so. It's a mess, but it's clutter, not dirt.
I am trying to keep things in perspective... It just keeps throwing that really big shaddow.

Just 'cause I think they are funny...

2009-01-12T17:50:00.005-06:00

see more crazy cat pics

see more crazy cat pics

moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

moar funny pictures

Happy New Year.... Blah

2009-01-02T23:02:00.002-06:00

Many things have happened lately.
I have finished 2 pairs + 1 of mittens. I have 2 on the needles right now. I finished my SIL's cotton shawl in time for her to take it home for Christmas. The house wasn't MIL clean but it was nice when they got here. I just have not been able to do much after falling after Thanksgiving and hurting my ass.
Kay's season is going great! They have not won many but she is working hard to make the numbers a little closer together. She has a natural talent. I am so darn proud of her.
Kolton isn't working, not going to school so he is working at cleaning the house for 4 hours a day. He is doing well at it. About what I expected from an 18 year old. He tried to dye his hair black in November. It came out blue. I am so proud of him.
Koben... what can I say. He is my little one so he is my gushy guy. The family got a WII for Christmas and everyone runs away from Koben when he is playing. He jumps up and down and spins and punches like he is part of the game! We fear for the telly when he is boxing. He still wants to save the turtles when he grows up. I am so proud.
The truck broke down. Not just a tire or a battery. OOOOhhhh no. Some little piddly part that causes such and such to stop working, that causes this and that dohickey not to do their job and then the other thingamabob doesn't work and the truck won't run. Oh yeah, it needs tires too. $2,500 later it's feeling fine. I feel faint.
I have a job! Not much of one. It's part time at a new little drive up coffee hut. It's not very busy. I get a lot of knitting done. Maybe sometime I should bring the computer so I can update this thing more.
I am sick. I HATE being sick. Ok, ok, no one that I know of actually likes being sick. My throat is sore, I cough every once in a while but it's this fever that is kicking my ass, which is already sore from falling on it and cracking the tailbone. Oh yeah. I am one unhappy blob in bed. I can't even watch TV! The remote is hiding. It's not lost. Nothing is ever lost. It's just hiding.
This just makes me more determined than ever to get in a better shape that what is currently reposing on really dirty linnens. (I know it's past time to change them when my husband's pillowcase is stiff from the drool. Yuck!) It's not my eating that is the problem. It's the lack of eating and the lack of movement. I don't drink those froo-froo coffee things with the 3 inches of syrup and sauce at the bottom of the cup, heck, I even put skim milk in my coffee if it needs it.
I just don't eat! I forget or nothing looks good.
More and more of my high school buddies are joining facebook. It's so wonderful to see them and how they have changed. I, of course, will not post a curent picture. I will forever be in high school. So there.
I can't wait to finish the mittens. There is so much more I want to knit. I need to knit the hat for mom, Christmas stockings sound just wonderful and the angora sweater that I frogged/deconstructed would look lovely in the whisp pattern. I would like to have a pair of mittens myself... maybe a hat to cover this gorgeous head of hair. Oh yeah. I went to the salon... I don't do this alot kids. I know what the mark up is and it just about kills me to get a color done. But I did it... for New Year's Eve. We were planning on going out to a party. I even shaved my legs!!! Yeah, that's right. I came down with this crud. BLAH! But now my hair looks ooooohhh so good against the pillows, even though it's standing up straight and kind of greasy today.
Ok. Time for more medicine and water. Oooo tea... that sounds lovely. I wonder if I can pay one of the kids to make it for me.

2008-10-31T15:00:00.000-05:00

A cabbie picks up a nun. She gets into the cab, and notices that the VERY handsome cab driver won't stop staring at her. She asks him why he is staring. He replies: 'I have a question to ask you but I don't want to offend you.'
She answers, 'My son, you cannot offend me. When you're as old as I am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get a chance to see and hear just about everything. I'm sure that there's nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive.'
'Well, I've always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me.' She responds, 'Well, let's see what we can do about that:
#1, you have to be single and #2, you must be Catholic.'
The cab driver is very excited and says, 'Yes, I'm single and Catholic!' 'OK' the nun says. 'Pull into the next alley.'
The nun fulfills his fantasy, with a kiss that would make a hooker blush.
But when they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying.
'My dear child,' says the nun, 'why are you crying?'
'Forgive me but I've sinned. I lied and I must confess, I'm married and I'm Jewish.'
The nun says, 'That's OK......my name is Kevin and I'm going to a Halloween party'.

42 Longs Free Pattern

2008-09-09T16:28:00.009-05:00

Tennis balls in tube socks, a boob tube, over the shoulder boulders or knockers... You can call them by any name, except an ordinary scarf.

This was my entry to the boob contest that was held by the Oddball group on Ravelry.com.

Many of us have some version of these, the kind where you need to roll them up to fit them in.

If you don't... Taa Daa! Taa Taas!

These are great for "Over the Hill" parties, bachelor parties or for any occasion where an extra pair of tits would be good.

This is my first attempt at writing a pattern so please let me know if I have goofed things up.

What you will need:

Less than 50 grams of any worsted weight yarn for the ends (Color A)
100 grams of any worsted weight yarn (Color B)
5 DPNs for knitting worsted weight yarn (DPNA) (I used #8)
5 DPNs one or two sizes bigger than the (DPNA), these would be (DPNB) (I used #10)
Crochet hook or tapestry needle
Two tennis balls (or other rounded weighted items for the ends)
Stitch marker

Gague is not important. Adjust needle size for weight of yarn. Length of scarf... 42 inches of course!

On DPNA, using ColorA, c/o 4

Make 1 inch of I-cord.

Row 1-*K1, M1* till end of row.

Place evenly on 4 DPNs. Place stitch marker and join.

Round 1-*K1, M1, K1* till stitch marker

Round 2- *K2, M1, K1* till stitch marker

Continue to M1 before the last knit sts until there are 6 stitches on each needle.

Purl one row.
Knit one row

Tuck in Time!

Use the needle or crochet hook, whatever is most comfortable for you, to thread the tail of the I-cord into the base, where the I-cord ends and the knitting begins. Adjust to length of nipple you would like. Secure.

Ok, back to the DPNs

ColorB:

Round 1- K
Round 2- *k5, m1, k1* till marker
Round 3- *k6, m1, k1* till marker
Round 4- *k7, m1, k1* till marker
Round 5 through 8- k
Round 9- *k7, k2tog* till marker
Round 10- *k6, k2tog* till marker
Round 11 and 12- k

Switch to DPNB

Knit the body of the scarf.
Add both tennis balls. Work them down to completed end.
Switch to smaller needles (DPNA) when the body of the scarf is long enough.

Round 1 and 2- k
Round 3- *k6, m1, k1* till marker
Round 4- *k7, m1, k1* till marker
Round 5 to 8- k
Round 9- *k7, k2tog* till marker
Round 10- *k6, k2tog* till marker
Round 11- *k5, k2tog* till marker
Round 12- k

Switch to ColorA

Round 1- k
Round 2- p
Round 3- *k4, k2tog* till marker
Round 4- *k3, k2tog* till marker
Round 5- *k2, k2tog* till marker
Round 6- *k1, k2tog* till marker
Round 7- *k2tog*

Transfer stitches onto one needle

Make 1 inch of I-cord

BO leaving 1-1 1/2 inches of tail.

Use tapestry needle or crochet hook to pull end into base of I-cord and secure.

Move tennis ball into just finished end.

Preen

The trees is green, the grass is riz, I wonder where our warm weather is?

2008-05-27T18:02:00.002-05:00

Blurg!
It's allergy season for me. Not for anyone in the house... just me.
"M0000000000mmmmmm! Would you please make me a sammich?" "Honey? Would you please wash my work clothes before you go to bed?"
Can't they see that my face is about to explode?
I HAVE to get on the mend soon. My cleaning schedule CAN'T be thrown off track. I have to have the house 90% clean for my mother's visit on the 1st.
I also need to get to the garden and pull winter weeds, add the compost and till the heck out of it. I get my jug of worm juice! The 'maters will be poppin!
Oooohhh darn it. I forgot to call the dog trainers. Callie hasn't been there enough times, 1 and a half out of 7... I need to see if she can be a part of the next session.
Our foster daughter has moved out of the house unexpectedly. It still stings. I had great hopes for her but she chose the easier in the short run/ harder in the long, path.
Felting projects are going well. I gave away the pink and black spittoon and I am going to remold the black and gold thinger. I still have the gold #2 and two of the mountain cups to go too. I like the "pre" look of the smaller one, the one I did a little crochet at the top to add a peak.
Amanda has yet to tell me what flavor of baby she is waiting for so I can't start the blanket that I soooooo want to start! Of course I could start it in green or purple, but of course, I don't have those colors! We can't afford another trip to any store that carries yarn for another month. I have several skeins of pink so cross your fingers for a girl!
I think I went to far on the socks. I might need to frog a bit so I can start the decrease.
We got all the stuff for the pump, however I can't find the stupid manuals! I have no bloody idea where I put them! She is supposed to get it hooked up on Friday and if I can't find them... we might have to postpone it again!
I have been pumping out..."Wash"cloths. None of those bad bad bad "D" words here.
I will post pictures soon. I need to work on Big Boy's graduation invites.

2008-05-01T20:05:00.003-05:00

It went through!

2008-05-01T20:05:00.002-05:00

Kaylen's insulin pump will be here May 6th! Woo Hoo!
Life will be soooooo much easier!
That is all....

Just not feelin' the luv

2008-05-01T17:39:00.003-05:00

You know that warm fuzzy feeling when you are in love? I feel as far from it as one can get. All because of the weather.
Here is a live web camera view of the canal to the Aerial Lift Bridge.
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/minnesota/duluth/ Today, the winds are high and there is a snow/rain mix forcast for tonight.

My husband (Kent) went for an interview with Charter, a cable TV, phone and Internet company. He was offered the job! The pay is great! What's not so great... he will be self employed. We pay our own taxes, pay for our own insurance, use our own vehicle and pay for liability insurance, just in case he drills too many holes in a house. With the kind of pay he will receive, all will not be a problem.
HOWEVER~ My daughter, Kay has diabetes. It's a preexisting condition. If we can insure her, it will not be cheap.
The other problem~ Kent has to train for 2 weeks. Unpaid. Then it would be 3 weeks without a paycheck after that. When he does get paid, it will be every week. He was told that most of the guys that work now are earning 5-6K a month! What a step up from what he is paid now.
PLUS~ We have 2 months to buy our house. That means that we have to find 20K in that time for the down payment.
I am muddled.
I have been on the phone and web all day trying to find solutions to everything.
I will try and write something pithy tomorrow. Until then, enjoy a very cold picture of Lake Superior.

It's a new day in my neighborhood

2008-04-29T10:27:00.000-05:00

My days are filled with everything and nothing at all.
The world spins and things happen and here I sit. I am unable to almost anything right now. What a way to start a blog, huh? If you have wandered here, you are a glutton for punishment. Hopefully soon I can learn how to do this better and add more content.
Today is doggy day. Callie, our 8 month old beagle has to go to the vet for her boosters. She is supposed to go to puppy class tonight but with her on her 3rd week of heat, she can't go.
I have to call my youngest son's dentist and get the bad news that they will not take him for the surgery that he needs. I am very forgetful. I don't know why. Opinions are that it's because the ADD inattentive or the depression... even old age! Never the less, I forgot to pay the bill from his last visit. Now we need to find a dentist that is even half as good as that one. Kob needs his little toofers worked on.
I am still pretty upset by the vandalism of my bird bath. Why do people think that doing things like that are ok?
I am missing Aunt Kay (Kay Cheever) more than usual today. I was reading the SDknitters on Ravelry today. I miss the old house and the smell. Not just of old house but of yarn and clay. Who knew that my house would strive to smell like that?! More and more of her traits are showing up in this house. My knitting and love of yarn, my desire to work with clay, the garden and houseplants and of course, my Kay's diabetes.
Speaking of, I am so happy that our insurance will cover 80% of the cost of her pump, however, that other 20% is a lot more than we can handle. I guess I need a job!

Accomplishments today:

Shower, dress and teeth.
Breakfast and meds.
Rent check written and in the mail.
Get out of the house.
Vet and class visit.
Hang laundry on the line.
Get at least one inch done on knitting.
Fold clean clothes.
Put away the rest of the village.
Figure out how to make a resume and how to put the skills I have into business lingo.