Knit-a-holic

My Latest Addiction....

2011-07-10T13:33:00.000-04:00

It's a sock yarn blanket. Yes, you read right, a sock yarn blanket. Lots of little squares like a patchwork quilt. I love it!!! It'll take me a long time to do it (I am weaving in some ends right now and that is like ramming DPNs into my eyes, but it must be done or it will look like a shag rug, LOL) but that's okay. I have several other projects going, so this one is a nice distraction.

On that note...... time to make more squares!! XD

Here I Go Again....

2011-06-30T13:07:00.000-04:00

Yes, yes, I am still alive.

Honest.

It's been interesting, doing this full time working mom thing. It sucks and rocks at the same time. I love the extra money (the relief from constant worry about bills, and are things going to get paid or are they gonna get paid late.) but not getting to see my boys is starting wear on me. Bobo starts kindergarten this August, so I will see them both for about an hour in the morning, and that's it until the weekend. It's hard. Really hard.

However, oddly enough, I just put in my resume to get hired in, LOL. The minivan (affectionately called "The Thing-a-ma-jigger") that Hubby drives is starting to make really strange noises and we are looking at having to get another vehicle in the near future. So, a good pay check is something that is needed. And a steady one, where I wouldn't have to worry about getting extended as a temp every few months.

So that's where I stand as far as my job goes.

In knitting news, this is the latest project I am working on. LOVE IT!!!!! STR in Lemongrass and Puck's Mischief.

I may make another in complimentary colors as opposed to contrasting colors next time. If I ever get this one done, LOL!!! Here are a few projects that I have completed:

This first one is the first knitting project bag I had made. Below are the latest.

These are some mitts that I made for my bestie. I also have brought her over to the Knitside. She's working on her first swatch!! XD

These are some mittens I made for Hubby so his hands stay warm while shoveling at work. I love a man that appreciates hand knitted stuff. ;)

These are convertible mittens that I made for me from STR in Peaseblossom. LOVE!!!!

I will try and post more tomorrow.

It's Been a Long Time.....

2011-01-23T21:01:00.002-05:00

..... and this promises to be short and sweet, LOL.

I am now working a full-time job on second shift as a temp at a local factory (a big name here in West Michigan) so I have very little time to do much of anything anymore. I get up, get Mouth to school, come home, spend time with Booga (now known as Bobo), try and get caught up on my fave shows, do laundry, dishes, etc... then catch a nap, get up, leave for work. Hubby takes a short nap after he gets home in the morning, then when we get up, I go to work, he goes to get Mouth at school. I spend very little time with Mouth during the week which sucks to no end. So, we are thinking of having me cut back to four days a week instead of five. This way, I can see all of my boys on Fridays. Which would be very nice indeed.

As well as a little more knitting time.

Heh.

Another Sad Loss

2009-09-15T06:19:00.003-04:00

I just saw that Patrick Swayze passed away yesterday after battling pancreatic cancer. My heart goes out to his famiy, who are in my thoughts and prayers. He will be GREATLY missed.

Whew!!!

2009-09-08T12:30:00.003-04:00

Well, we finally got Mom all moved up here to GR!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

(can ya tell I'm a wee bit glad???)

It didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would, due mainly to the fact that Hubby and his buddy Damon did most of the work and did it quicker than a bunny, I tell ya. All her stuff was loaded onto the truck in around 2 hours or so and unloaded the next day in about 3 1/2 or so. It took longer the second day cuz we were trying to empty boxes as they were brought in (some stuff anyway) so we would have room for the furniture and bigger things. And between you and I? If they ever bomb Grand Rapids, I am hauling ass to Mom's. The woman has enough canned goods in her pantry to feed a family of six for a good three months or so, LOL. And we moved them all. *sigh*

It's going to be great having her closer. I will be able to drop in on her and chit chat, she can come over to my house whenever she wants, and I won't have to rush home after an hour drive or so to make sure I am back in time to make dinner or something. It was hard with the hour each way, and then Booga never got his nap, so he was uber cranky.... this will be much nicer.

Well, it's about nap time, so I am off to toss the kids in bed for naps and have a glass of iced tea and some chocky....

The Latest and Greatest

2009-08-28T11:40:00.007-04:00

Well, it's been a while since I have posted anything longer than a muddled sentence, LOL. Things have been hectic and I have been avoiding the blog because, well, my Momma used to say, "If you can't say anything nice....come sit by me."

Wait.

That's not the one I should use, huh?

Anyway, i felt like my blog had been nothing but complaining, and who likes to listen to someone CONSTANTLY complain? Not I. So, I figured I would chill with the pissin' and moanin' and come back when I had something good to say.

When was that last post?

20 years ago?

*snort* So, here we go!

Mouth has been in school for 2 1/2 weeks and he is LOVING it! First grade is really agreeing with the monkey. And I have some great news! Ready?

Wanna know?

He was tested (NWEA testing) and he was so far ahead of the rest of the class in reading, they moved him into a Proficient class!! He will be challenged, instead of getting bored and perhaps tuning out or causing problems, which makes me so glad. My sister and I both read WELL ahead of some of our peers and when we had to read in class, we were chapters ahead of everyone else. We got in trouble for not "being with the class", and rather than let us read ahead, we had to stay behind. (That's when I did most of my note writing, story writing, whispering, sleeping.....)

So, needless to say, I am ECSTATIC!!!!!!!!!!! I always knew my Mouth was sharp, and to have it recognized in school is just awesome. He has challenges he has to work around, but they aren't holding him back in the least! *sniffle* I am so proud of our boy.

Hmmmmmm. Well, in knitting news, I am STILL working on the Love sock (bleah), started another sock in STR Mochaberry, and I really need to get a move on another hat for Hubby. Cold weather is a comin' (or upon us, depending on where ya are in the dang state, LOL) and I promised him the hat and scarf by the next cold spell. GULP

I started cross stitching again, so I wouldn't get bored with the knitting. Sheah, like THAT would happen *laughing until my sides hurt* But I finished a cute Halloween piece, and three Mary Engelbrit tea pots. I have a Halloween snowman in the works now.

Here are a couple pics Hubby took with his cell phone of the new friends the boys made this summer. Kaylin and Dax moved in next door for the summer, and the kids LOVED having them as playmates. Booga and Dax became best buds and greeted each other every time with hugs and big smiles. I think they had their own little language, too! They would chatter to each other through the window and one would nod while the other chattered, and vice versa. It was too cute! Mouth and Booga were so sad to see them go home to Utah, and Booga still asks, "Outside? Play Dax?"

Well, I am off to get something done around this house, even if it's wrong, LMAO.

Check Out These Shirts I've Designed to Sell!!!!!!

2009-08-09T18:25:00.001-04:00

make custom gifts at Zazzle

Quick Update

2009-07-05T10:53:00.002-04:00

We've put him back on the meds to due out-of-control behavior. If he had continued this way, there would have been problems in school and I would have ended up in the hospital minus a head because it would have blown up, LOL. My head, that is. *sigh* Lord, please give me the strength and patience I need to make it through this...

I Need A Vaycay

2009-07-03T16:52:00.003-04:00

Well, we've taken Mouth completely off the Risperdal due to his massive weight gain. Now, I don't know how I am going to survive life at home with his behavior. If he was difficult and argumentative before, now he is (no exaggeration) ten times worse. I can't ask him to go to the bathroom before we leave the house without a massive meltdown on both our parts. He constantly tells me no. He constantly defies me and does things to antagonize his brother and myself. I truly feel like all I do is yell and it is getting to be embarrassing to me because I start yelling before I even realize it. And I feel bad for Mouth, because I don't think he likes his behavior anymore than I do. He throws tantrums in stores again and gets louder and louder the more I shush him. I just feel like crying all the time and I am so exhausted. The constant screaming at me wears on me to the point where I want to just give in so he will stop and leave me alone.

I am so tired.

Please pass me the bowl of Xanax.

Another Must See!!!

2009-05-07T09:29:00.003-04:00

Okay, another blog I read had this great Youtube video. I laughed so hard and grinned ear to ear. Wouldn't it be great if in real life, one could just break into song and dance! I loved how no one was making fun and SO MANY people just joined in. What a great video.

ARGHHHH!!!!

2009-05-06T17:27:00.002-04:00

I am so fed up with this whole store that I went to interview at. Once again, I jerked around. They told me that I wouldn't work out because they are looking for people to work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I can. But the availability I put wouldn't work, due to the fact that the store is Union and if they gave me those hours, someone with higher seniority could say they want my hours and they would take them. So they wanted me to work from 6p.m. or so until 1 a.m. Uh, no, can't do it, I have kids and a Hubby that works two weeks a month on nights and has to leave by 12:30. So, I got a handshake and a "No thank you, call us if your availability changes."

WHY COULDN'T SOMEONE TELL ME THIS ON THE DAMNED PHONE INSTEAD OF MAKING ME GET MY HOPES UP AND GET DRESSED UP FOR THIS SHIT?????!!!!!!

*sigh*

I hate that store....

Cross Your Fingers, Say a Prayer, Light a Candle....

2009-05-04T09:52:00.003-04:00

Okay, ya'll, I have a second interview set for Wednesday at 10 a.m. So, say a prayer, light a candle, cross your fingers and toes, turn around three times while rubbing your belly and patting your head or whatever you do for luck, LOL. As much as I like staying home in the evenings, we need the extra paycheck. (And I will get to keep some for yarn purchasing!!!!! So, that is extra incentive to get out there and earn me some dough, hee heeeeee.)

In knitting news, I have put my two in-progress socks on hold to work on a Mother's Day gift for my mom. I've been knitting Ballband Dishcloths since she really liked the moss stich cloths I made her for Christmas. I have three done and another on the needles. They knit up REALLY fast and I like knitting them. And I am proud of myself because it is the first color work I've really ever done. It's not fancy colorwork, but I have to carry the extra up the sides so I am feeling a tad clever. ;)

Once those are done, I may knit some for myself, or go back to my socks. I am leaning more towards the socks, because I have use up all my cotton and would have to buy some more to make some Ballbands for me. (Not that I haven't found some cotton at Joann's that I really like, LOL. It is pink, light brown, and white. Reminds me of Neopolitan ice cream. Yummy!)

*signs off to pray REAL hard*

Would Sweats and a T-Shirt Work????

2009-04-29T09:15:00.003-04:00

Okay, so there is a job fair today at our local super-mart-grocery-store place (if you live in Michigan, you know who I refer to. ;D ) and I am heading there to beg for a job after I pick up Hubby from work.

I just realized how much I hate dressing up and my closet shows it. I live in t-shirts and sweats. I have no dress slacks. One skirt and blouse. Two pairs of dress shoes (very much on the casual side-- you know, black with chunky heels) that I can cram my feet into if it is a life or death situation. So, to go to this job fair, I am wearing a nice pair of jeans, a pair of those shoes, and a nice sweater. (I cannot find any pantyhose, though. I may have used them to hang the person who made me wear them last....) I figure if they call me back for an interview, I will go buy some new pantyhose and wear the dressy outfit. (I think the last time I wore it was a funeral....)

My closet is filled with t-shirts, divided into two sections: Lounge shirts and 'Out' shirts. The lounge shirts are ex-'Out' shirts that have been shrunk, grease spattered (I forgot I was wearing an 'out' shirt and proceeded to fry chicken or some such nonsense, or holey). They number in the dozens. Then, I have the few shirts that I wear out. I try desperately to remember to hang them to dry, lest they shrink in the dryer, and change out of them as soon as I am home from somewhere. I have to laugh, because I never go anywhere fancy so when I am able to buy myself clothes, I lean towards t-shirts. (I am all about comfort, ya know) But when I need to go somewhere, like a funeral, job fair, out to eat (other than fast food), or whatever, I curse my choices.

I have two nice sweaters (and two more that I wonder what kind of crack I was smoking when I bought them and have since outgrown, thank goodness) that I like to wear. Once is cotton, in Fall colors with leaves on the front of it and the other is a pretty sageish-forestish green that is 100% merino wool that zips up the front. I love it. It will be a bit warm, I think but that's why God made Degree anti-perspirant, right? So, I think that, jeans, clunky shoes, my hair up, and some make-up should be good.

*sigh*

I hate this crap, LOL.

All I Can Say Is....

2009-04-15T16:48:00.004-04:00

Go to this link. I swear, it will make your day. It made mine! (It's about 7 minutes, but it is worth every second!!)

What do ya'll think????

2009-04-01T10:00:00.002-04:00

Would it be totally insane to consider selling ones own plasma, eggs, hair, fillings, kidneys, or what-not to buy the new colors that will be emerging from Blue Moon Fiber Arts soon?

Really?

It would?

Hmmph.

That's what I get for asking.

*sigh* I can't get a damn job to save my life and I am having seriously-bad-covety-green-eyed-monster thoughts as I look at some blogs that I read.

*weeps bitterly* I wanna go to Sock Camp and Sock Summit and Stitches Midwest!

*throws self on floor and kicks feet*

*sniffle* Okay. I'm alright now.

Really.

No, my eyes are normally hazel, why do you ask?

Quick Update

2009-02-12T08:59:00.003-05:00

The good news is: Mom doesn't have glaucoma. YAY!!! But it is the beginning of cataracts. Boo. But it is fixable, so I shall keep on with my Yay-ing. ;) Hopefully, I get to see her next week while Mouth has a break from school for a few days. I am only an hour away, but it SUCKS in the winter for traveling down there as the highway between us is like the highway to a frozen, blowy, snowy, icy version of hell, LOL. US 131 SUCKS in the winter, as any Michigander will tell you. It runs North/South and is mostly open fields on either side. Winds blow east/west, so if you think about it, that spells wicked treacherous driving conditions. *sigh*

Spring is coming.

Spring is coming.

Is it here yet?

HOLY CRAP!! IT'S 48 DEGREES!!!

2009-02-10T08:33:00.005-05:00

Talk about your HEAT WAVE, eh? *snort*

I am not complaining, mind you. I am ready to throw open these windows and air out the months and months of stale winter air (and stinky Mouth and Booga socks, LOL). Spring can't come fast enough as far as I am concerned. I can hardly wait to be able to just holler "GO OUTSIDE BEFORE YOU DRIVE ME COMPLETELY MAD!!!!" or "Enough television dammit!!! Go PLAY!!!!" and my personal favorite "If you want to run, GO RUN OUTSIDE!" (That one is said nearly everyday, LOL. They do laps in my living room. *sigh*)

Well, in knitting news, I have been doing some of this:

And this:

With some of this thrown in for good measure:

The top is a pair of lace socks I started called Blackrose by Suzi Anvin. Love the pattern. The yarn is STR in Blarney Stone. ADORE the yarn, LOL. I just hope I have enough to finish them, since that color is going on vaycay at BMFA. :(

The middle is a beanie I did for Hubby. Yes, beanie. Not a beanie with a propeller thingy, but like a skullcap I guess. Now that he has shaved his noggin, it fits ever sdo much better.

The bottom is a pair of fingerless mitts that I did for myself in STR Farmhouse. I made them to keep my hands warm while on the puter since it gets so frickin' cold in this damn apartment. I hate cold hands.

I also finished my moms socks which I will post at a later date.

Speaking of Mom, she's not doing so hot. She got the stomach flu that was going around (which I was lucky enough to get as well, but not nearly as bad as she did) and is having problems with her incision sites as well. Not good. Then, the icing on the cake, she got an eye infection and the doctor that looked at it said she may have glaucoma. Can you really be serious?!?! I mean, really. This woman has gone through enough in her life, can't she catch a friggin' break???

I am trying desperately to keep thoughts positive, but this is getting to be ridiculous. Truly. I wish I could do more to help her stay strong and positive. She is not in a good place right now. I try to make jokes and keep her laughing because she has told me that really helps her, but I don't know how much it helps now. If at all.

This too shall pass, right?

Watch Me Do a Backflip!!!!

2009-01-20T22:19:00.002-05:00

No really, I honestly think I could!

Mom had her surgery on the 12th and it went well, but for a hiccup or two. I won't go into it right now, as it is late and I need to go to bed. Soon, LOL. She had her follow up appointment today and they got all the cancer!!!! No need for chemo or radiation! *Doing happy dance and cheering very very quietly so as not to wake the sleeping males of the house* I truly feel like a HUGE weight has been lifted. I am so happy and I cannot begin to thank everyone enough who prayed so hard with me for this to go well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Now I'm gonna go have myself a relieved sniffle and go to sleep!

Happy New Year!!!

2008-12-31T11:43:00.002-05:00

Please everyone, be safe and remember, Don't Drink and Drive. I love ya'll!! MUAH!!!

To You and Yours.....

2008-12-24T13:20:00.001-05:00

Have a blessed and safe Christmas and a joyful New Year!!! Peace, Love, and Chicken Grease. ;)

Where to Begin.....

2008-12-16T20:36:00.002-05:00

Well, it's been forever since I've posted and I have been dreading posting at all. I'll start with the light stuff.

I finished the socks I started for Mom, started and finished a pair of socks for Dad's wife, Judy, and I am continuing the scarf for Hubby. Also, I have started a pair of wrist warmers for me, having one done and the other begun. I am working my way through my Socks That Rock stash and I am getting antsy to buy more, LMAO. That'll be a while, lol.

I am looking, once again, for a job, as money is getting tighter and tighter with the crappy ass economy of Michigan. I am hoping I can find one that doesn't send my guts to the incinerator, but not holding my breath. ;)

Booga has turned two and is possibly passing through the Terrible Twos. It was HELL ON WHEELS for a bit, but I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel..... (Please, Lord, don't let it be a friggin' train) Still not talking, gabbles away in gibberish that he seems to think I REALLY ought to know and hums. A LOT. No, really, A LOT A LOT. (I think he may be part hummingbird, I dunno) He can say the words, but he apparently chooses not to. He'll say them once and then look at me like, "There. I said it, now GET OFF MY BACK, WOMAN!!!!"

Mouth is doing FABULOUS in his new school and even got an academic award last month. Excuse me while I wipe away a tear of PRIDE!!!!!!! I am so proud of him. He tries so hard in class and excels in his schoolwork. He comes home and tells me things that I can't believe they are learning in Kindergarten. He rocks my world.

Now for the bad stuff.

Mom found out she has breast cancer.

She is having a bi-lateral mastectomy in January, and they are hopeful they can get it all. If not, she will not go forward with any chemo or radiation treatments. That sucks big time, but I can understand where she is coming from. She doesn't want to spend her time left sick as a dog. However, being the selfish child that I am, I want her here forever.

That's all I can say right now.

Holy Crap!!! IT"S ALIIIIIVE!!!!

2008-09-17T21:26:00.004-04:00

Yes, folks, I am still alive. Technically speaking, LOL. I've been in and out of the ER, developed stress related gastrointestinal problems, quit my job, switched Mouth's school, started another sock, continued on Hubby's scarf, read Twilight, started New Moon, discovered Myspace, and have been sucked into a little thing they call Mobsters. Whew!

And if you don't know Mobsters, I suggest you check it out. Really. I love it and I will enable others to do the same. You wanna go see. You do.

Trust me.

Death to the Non-Bendy Cables!!!!

2008-08-04T12:05:00.002-04:00

Okay, I have finally turned the heel and I am most of the way done with the foot of the sock I mentioned in the last post. I must say, I love working with this yarn, but I am NOT happy with the needles! I never thought I'd say it, but these addi's are driving me nutso! I bought some KnitPicks fixed circulars a while back and they are fantastic; (not to mention a third the price of addi's) smooth knitting, pointy tips, very bendy flexy cable. Lo-ove it! (For those Moms out there, imagine Wheezie from Dragon Tales saying that) Well, I didn't have any KP in the size I needed, so I broke out my beloved addi's. Ugh. There is a microscopic barb on the tip of one of them making my finger tip hurt (I push my stitches on and off the needles) and the damn cable is not bending cooperatively! Gr. I think I may put these aside for a bit and work on the socks I decided to make for my Dad's wife.

Maybe.

Maybe I'll just push through and get the damn things done and out of the way. Then I can fondle a new project.

Anyway, on the personal side, Mouth has finally been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and we are trying to find a med and dosage that helps him. I am so afraid of him starting school and being picked on for something he has no control over. The tics have worsened to the point that it affects his walking at times, the vocal is almost a constant (and getting louder) and the facial grimaces are extremely noticeable. I'm with him all the time and I have been able to pretty much tune them out; it's just Mouth, you know? It's part of who he is. But he gets looks in the stores and as a protective mother, I have looked right back (these are adults looking, BTW) and say, "Problem? It's not nice to stare." I can't help but get in defensive bitch mode when someone is staring rudely at my son. I hope we can get his medication figured out in the next few weeks because school is starting and I don't want him to be made fun of by students or not allowed to do things like going the the library or movies because he can't be quiet or still.

Maybe I'm expecting only the worst; things could be totally different than they were when I was in school. (They better be or I will have some choice words for the school authorities. Don't mess with the crazy lady! She carries sharp knitting needles everywhere with her!!) I know bullying is not tolerated as much as it was, but then again, he may not be bullied or picked on. Maybe, he'll fit right in and make friends because of the fact that he is one damn cool kid.

Neglecting My Flaps

2008-07-15T21:55:00.003-04:00

Man, oh, man. It's been busy around here. Between me working, Dr. appts, hanging out in the evenings with our new neighbors, going to the zoo, and general TCB, I am POOPED today. I think I only got three rows of the heel flap on my latest sock done in the last three days.

Ugh. I am so neglectful of this blog, it's a wonder I remember my password, LOL.

Hmm. Think, I'll neglect it some more and head for bed.

OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-07-04T23:14:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I know I am REALLY bad banana for not posting in literally months, but I do have a very good excuse. Well, a fairly good excuse. I have a new job. I won't say where, but I wear red and khaki and the commercials for the place play that really cool Beatles song and have that really cute dog with the red spot over his eye... ahem. Get it? Got it? Good. 'Nuff said. (Loving the job, BTW. Quit Checkers cuz they all be druggies. Literally. In the parking lot. At work. Yikes, and later!)

So. We recently moved into a new apartment (just up the street, same community, just bigger place) and Mouth has made many new friends that he can go outside and play with on a daily basis. Woo to the hoo! Our boy LOVES him some friends. He told me matter of factly that he shall be marrying one of the little girls as soon as he gets big enough. Her Daddy will love to hear that, I'm sure. (Her Daddy and Hubby are becoming good friends as they get to shoot the shit while the kiddos run around trying to break bones and crash bikes)

Well, some of our new neighbors, who shall be called Hippie Chick and Weird Hubby, are a bit on the odd side. Their children are lovely girls, very smart and very nice, and I won't say anything snarky about them. The parents are another story. Okay, well, Hippie was VERY pregnant, and told us off-handedly that she bought an inflatable pool to put in the living room for the birth. I thought, uh, ok, TMI, but thanks. Hold it. Pool in living room for BIRTH!! As in home birth. Okay, nothing wrong with having your baby at home. Way to go, wish I had been that brave. (The c-section would have had to have been performed with my Wustof knives and that's not so good on the blades, you know?) Then she later told Hubby that she plans on putting the pool out for the kids in late July after the baby comes. WHOA! WAIT A MINUTE!! The same pool? Ew. Ew. *shudder* Ew. Now, I am all for personal rights and choices, and natural birthing and all that crap, but there is no way in HELL I am letting my kid go splashing around in Placenta Pond. No way.

Well, Hubby and I went out to sit on the patio this evening and try out our new patio chairs and we see Weird Hubby toting buckets of something and dumping them down the storm drain in the grassy area that all our kids play in. I though, hmmm. Must've scrubbed the floors or something and went back to chatting with my Hubby. Six buckets later, Weird starts just chucking the contents into the grass. Weird pink tinged contents. No, sheah, that's not... uh, yeah...it's pink. Next thing I know some strange lady comes out of the apartment and joins in the water chucking. Right into the grass where Mouth and all his little friends play. And stomp mud holes. And dig in the dirt. I think, midwife maybe? Nah. They wouldn't be splashing biological waste into the grass like that... Would they?

Then their oldest daughter (around seven) comes out in a cute little 4th of July toga thing with flowers in her hair and is dancing all around. She sees us and says hi and so I say hi. (We have had actual conversations before, really. She and Mouth play all the time) She then goes on to say that this is the best day ever and she no sooner gets that out, then Weird hollers for her to come back in. Okay. Whatever. Then I hear their littlest shout "The baby came today!!!"

All my worst fears are confirmed. Hippie had the baby in the apartment, in the pool and then proceeded to dispose of the leftovers on OUR FUCKING PLAY AREA/LAWN!!!!!!!!!! And down the storm drain. Not sewer, storm drain. Lovely. Isn't there like, oh I don't know, regulations against that kind of thing? I mean really. You know that Weird knew he probably shouldn't be doing this because of the way he roped the kid back into the house. He probably didn't want anyone to know what might be in the twelve thousand buckets.

Maybe I'm a judgemental bitch, but please. Would you want your kids to play on the floor of a labor and delivery room?

Yes, having a baby is natural and wonderful, but it ain't clean.

Oh, you say different?

Okay then.

Tell you what.

How about I pour you a nice cold glass of amniotic fluid. That sound good?

No?

Alright then. When my kid gets dirt in his mouth from that damn yard, you won't judge me for scrubbing his mouth out.

SLACKER!!!!

2008-03-22T10:57:00.002-04:00

Yes, I have been a slacker in all matter of things as of late, including this blog, housework, and a vast array of other things. I do have a couple of excuses, but the largest being that sometimes, I feel like all I do on this thing is bitch and moan and my few readers probably get sick and tired of the perpetual piss fest, so I have decided if I don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

Thus, my lack of posts. ;)

We've been working on getting Mouth some help for his behavior issues, which I will detail in a later post (I am not in the best frame of mind to rehash it right now) and I can say with great pride that he has shown improvement in the last couple weeks or so. Yay, Mouth!!!

Well, this is short, but sleeping Hubby is huffing at me for typing, so buh-bye.

He Will Be Missed

2008-01-22T22:58:00.000-05:00

Just a short post dedicated to the memory of one of my favorite actors, Heath Ledger. I know this may be corny, but I am genuinely saddened by his death, and I will miss him. I adored him in 10Things I Hate About You, The Patriot, The Brothers Grimm, A Knight's Tale, and yes, even Brokeback Mountain. I can't wait to see the new Batman movie with him as the Joker, and I think it'll be strange seeing him on the screen, knowing he is no longer with us.

Again, he was a great talent, and will be sorely missed.

Heath Ledger

1979-2008

Wet Willies, Calamari, and Maizy (WTF?!!?)

2008-01-19T22:48:00.000-05:00

Oh my good gravy!! It has been WAY too long since I posted last! Ugh. Like my laundry and dishes, this too had become neglected. *sigh*

Hmmm. Well, we are all over the Yule Barf-o-rama, Booga is finally trying to cut a tooth (yes, I can actually see it!), Mouth is in danger of getting kicked off the bus (long story, involving the giving of unwanted wet willies), Hubby got shafted out of the long awaited New Year overtime, my hours have been cut as a result of my availability changing, and this weekend's getaway for Hubby and I to the hot tubs and lunch sans kiddos was snowed out. In a nutshell, that's the happenings here, LOL. Nothing earth shattering, and some of the suckier stuff doesn't need elaborating, otherwise this blog will turn into nothing but complaining! Hee hee. My day isn't complete without a little complaining, but I did that earlier today.

In knitting news, I actually turned down a Hubby sanctioned trip to the LYS (local yarn shop, for all you non-knitters) today so I could spend more time with him and the munchkins. We went out for lunch at Olive Garden (YUM!!! Love me some calamari) and took the boys to the nearest mall for some time in the play area. It's not that I didn't want to go, it's just that Hubby has been on nights that last two weeks and I haven't seen much of him at all. Now, I hope he will give me a free pass next time I want to go and fondle the sock yarn or drool on the needles... hint hint, Baby

I finished my Magic Loop socks and have now started another pair, using the frogged Maizy (yarn made from corn) from an entirely different pair started ages ago on DPN's (the pattern and needle size proved WAY TOO SMALL for my monstro sized feet). Totally digging the whole Magic Loop thing. Less cumbersome, a little tricky, but I love a knitting challenge. I need to start the second pair of Tofutsies socks for my Sis, but I'm not sure I'll have enough yarn for and entire pair. *sigh*

I've also been thinking of tackling a sweater. But, socks keep calling me back from the pattern books, saying, "We're small, quick, and fun. Why walk away from us? Besides, you love the self-striping yarn. You're in too deep with us to just walk away, Toots."

Just when I think I'm done, they pull me back in!

(Rough quote from Godfather III. Been watching Mob shows this weekend, LOL)

Snow, ravioli, and rumps

2007-12-23T23:46:00.000-05:00

Man, I really need to try and write more often on this thing. I think because as of late, my life has consisted of diapers and burgers, and it'll more or less be a bitch-fest, I have avoided doing so. Oh well, here goes nothing.

Hmmm. Well, we finally finished shopping for the boys Friday, and have wrapping in secret after they go to bed for the last couple nights. I can't wait to see their little faces on Christmas morning. Preferably, after six a.m. But, I shall not be holding my breath. Then, it's breakfast, showers, and off to my sisters for the traditional homemade Christmas Ravioli Feast. Hey, we're Italian. You do turkey or ham, we do pasta. Yum. Ravioli, sausage, good crusty bread, and all the cookies and fudge I can stuff in my face. I can't wait, hee hee!

It snowed, then warmed up and melted, and now today, we got dumped on AGAIN. It was interesting watching the nasty stuff blowing around outside work tonight. We had a total of MAYBE a dozen cars from 5:30 (when I got there) until 9:45 (when I got to go home; early I might add. YAY!) and probably three inches of snow and ice.

For Christmas Eve, I'm making pork loin roast, mashed spuds, gravy, corn, and crescent rolls for dinner. I ADORE pork roast. Crusted in garlic salt, the fat on top gets all crispy and yummy. (Wow, I am actually salivating a la Homer Simpson. "Mmm, pork roast! Gaaagllllalalaa."

I finished my dishcloth gift and I am so glad. I have actually come to feel Sock Knitting Withdrawal symptoms. I was jonesing earlier and fiercely considered calling in just so I could knit on it! Wow, this is a sickness. But I like it...

My darling Hubby busted his rump yesterday, moving Booga's crib into Mouth's room and getting it all set up. *sniff* My baby! He's moved out of our room! *sob* The time is flying, I swear!!!

Hubby also busted his rump today, getting laundry done for me while I was at work. He's so good! He did dishes and even made me a pitcher of iced tea!!! What a keeper!!

Well, my hands are aching to the lack of typing usage and the cold, so I'm gonna go crawl in bed. Later, Gator.

And Jill came tumbling after...

2007-12-17T07:05:00.000-05:00

and ended up in an ungraceful heap of limbs and curse words.

Yup, I have yet again downed a bottle of graceful pills and gone cartwheeling around my apartment. Yesterday, I tried (that being the operative word here) to step over the baby gate that blocks off the entryway and kitchen (aforementioned gate now being called, "that Mother*#%&!ing piece of *#%$") and caught my toe once again, sending me hurtling towards the floor, only to catch my foot AGAIN on a nearby tote (keeps Booga from opening the Mother*&%#!ing piece of *&$%) and wrenched my back, leg, and side. Pleasant. Yes, folks, please do not attempt this at home, as I am a trained clumsy ass, and only trained clumsy asses should attempt stunts like this.

Well, I attempted to go to work last night and survived two and a half hours before limping away like a kicked dog (I even whimpered a couple times). Honestly though, I never had any idea how hard it is to lean in and out of the window handing out drinks and taking money. I have never been in pain like that before. (My darling husband met me at the door with a half a pain pill in hand) I swear, every time I hurt myself, I push my pain tolerance threshold to new levels. I know Hubby is rolling his eyes and thinking, "Sure. Just an excuse to call in", but no, really. If I had a morphine drip, I'd be mashing that button like nobodies business. This morning, it sang me an aria as I picked Booga up to change him and now I would really like to go to bed and stay there for the rest of my life. I really try to put on a funny show and downplay things if I can, but this is hard to do right about now. At least I can tell you guys and not have an eye roll. Or feel like a puss.

I may be a puss and a wuss, but hey.

At least I can knit.

This is the week that never ends....

2007-12-14T06:54:00.000-05:00

Yes, it goes on and on my friends....

Remember the show that had Lambchop the puppet and Miss Sheri? I do. And I'll never forget the theme song. I used to drive my mom NUTSO singing it. I think it was called, "The Song That Never Ends." Good times.

Anyway, I only have a quick sec to write before I get Mouth on the bus, so I figured I'd come and regale you with my tales of woe. This has been the week from HELL at work. Long shifts, a lazy day crew, which means never ceasing cleaning at night for us, and guilt trips for not being bamboozled into coming in early.

I showed up Monday to find the owner there, "helping out where needed", which translates to getting all up in my shit and taking over my computer and call box and shoving food out the window before I know what's happening and expecting me to be all grateful for the "help". Sheah. I actually heard him say at on point,"Well, I want YOU on the computer and I'll get the drinks so you can gain more experience and be more efficient." Oh, no you did NOT! So, I gritted my teeth, shoving cash in the till, and ground out, "I can be more efficient BY MYSELF, with no one over my shoulder, thank you very much. I do just fine ON MY OWN." I figured I'd receive a call the next morning saying I needn't come in anymore, but I didn't. Damn.

Last night, we were SLAMMED until exactly 10:50 pm (we close at 11), so no pre-close could be done, meaning we were gonna be there til 2. Well, I gotta be out by 12, so Hubby can go to work. So at 11pm, the lights went out, and I got crackin'. I scurried every where, cleaning, wiping down, and then I got started on the dishes. Ew. There were crazy dishes left from day shift, so, at midnight when I left, there were still tons to do. *shaking head*

Then, there's the availability thing. I say 5:30 to Midnight. They try for 5pm. They try for 1am. Am I speaking Chinese? Mandarin, maybe? NO!

I love my job, I love my job, I love my job.

If I say it enough, will it be true?

No new knitting. Same socks, frogged a bit and redone heel flap, wish I had more time to work on it.

Man, I need a job, where I get paid to sit on my ass and knit. Perfect.

Whoa!

2007-12-04T18:26:00.000-05:00

The title of this blog is "Whoa!" and it is to be said aloud with the inflection of Joey from "Blossom". (Come on, you know how to do it, I know you do!)

The reason why it is named so is because I cannot believe that it is frickin' December already!!!! I mean, really, where has the damn year of 2007 gone?! Last thing I knew, it was 2006, I was pregnant with Booga, had Booga, ate turkey (he was born in November), ate home-made ravioli (our family traditional Christmas dinner--I'm Italian) and then BOOM!! We are here in Michigan and it's freakin' Christmas again! (Imagine a cartoon double-take here)

What the F*!#!?!?!

Man, the women in my family weren't kidding when they said that time will start flying once of the kids is in school. That is the God's honest truth! There are days that I seriously have to look at the calendar just to tell what day it is and I am usually flabbergasted by what day it actually is! Meaning, I thought it was Tuesday and it's really Thursday.

I tell you, I really need to stop and smell the roses more often and take joy in the everyday because before I know it, my boys are going to be going off to college, then married and I'll be left standing, thinking,

"What the F*!#!?!?!"

Anyway, in knitting news, I have finished the first sock of my first magic loop pair, and I must say, I am feeling rather clever. I actually had the disgustingly conceited thought, "I am so smart! I managed to change a regular 4DPN pattern into a magic loop pattern and painstakingly figured out the gusset and heel all by myself!!!" Then I realized that there are probably thousands of knitters out there thinking, "Okay, Dummy, we figured that out ages ago. You're not so sharp, Cupcake." Plus, I went on Ravelry and asked a sock group if they had any tips or tricks that might help. I must say, there are many, many kind, helpful, funny, and thoughtful people in that community! I love it and everyone on it, LOL! (They all helped me feel clever and smart)

I actually bought my first hank of hand dyed yarn yesterday! *Rapture!* I have to admit, it's a bit pricey for my tight budget, but it's gorgeous and I got to use some of my check for it. (We're using most of it for grocery supplementing) And I got a new pair of addi Turbo's! WOO HOO!!!!! I had the lady at the shop wind the hank into a ball for me, and I almost giggled out loud at the coolness of those gadgets called a ball winder and swift. If I had the use for one I'd run out and buy one right away! (I am a dork, I admit it) Anyhoo, I really like the look of the ball of yarn that comes off the winder. Much neater than the skeins. I may take a picture and post it, I like it so much.....

And you're all probably standing there saying,

"What the F*!#?!?!"

No Woman, No Cry

2007-11-30T23:14:00.000-05:00

Why is it that listening to the great Bob Marley can put you in the greatest of moods? I'm not smokin' the stuff that would go REALLY good with the tunes, yet I feel light and happy all of a sudden. I love my MP3 player. Plug in and groove (hoping that no one notices the whitest white girl in the world bopping like a spaz to the fab reggae playing in her ears) to my hearts content. *sigh* I am so glad it's just Hubby in the room, LOL!

Well, I am truckin' right along on my new pair of socks (Lana Grossa yarn) and happy as a lark doing so. However, there is an evil dishcloth in my knitting cabinet that is leaving me mean little notes and threats of great bodily harm if I don't pick it up and finish it BEFORE Christmas. Little rat bastard. I hate knitting on it. It is a gift, and I do need to finish it, but the thing feels so cumbersome in my hands now, after knitting with fingering weight yarn and 3mm addis! *sigh* I suppose I have to bite the bullet and just do it or the F-er will cut me in my sleep or something.

I get the weekend off, due to the new store not opening on time. I worked Monday, had Tues, Wed, Thurs off. I was supposed to go in tonight and tomorrow night 6-12am, but they need their inspection, so I am off til at least Monday, possibly Tuesday. Cool with me. i want the dough, but it's nice to be able to spend some time with my Man and Monkeys.

"Let's get together and feel alright..."

I love this man's music.

Calgon, take me away......

2007-11-25T12:57:00.000-05:00

Ever have one of those days that you just want to crawl back into bed and not wake up for six months or so? Yeah, it's one of those days here for me. Or, I should say, one of those weeks.

Not for lack of sleep, mind you, Hubby has graciously let me sleep WAY in the last few days. It's Mouth. He's had a rotten week, thus I have had a rotten week. He was good this morning until I got up. He watched endless T.V. this morning (Hubby was doing dishes and laundry, that sainted man) and so when I got up I figured I'd watch 30 Minute Meals. WRONG-O, Momma. That was the beginning. He said he was hungry, I made fish sticks. He likes fish sticks. With ketchup. But, no, Momma wasn't the mind reader and had no idea it would set off nuclear holocaust. Forty-five minutes later, he's still staring at the damned plate full of fish sticks. Which is actually, only four, cut in thirds. No where near the entire freakin' swordfish you would think I was trying to force him to eat.

*sigh* There isn't enough freaking Paxil and Boone's Farm to fix this week.

YAY FOR GREENIES!!!!!

2007-11-22T22:30:00.000-05:00

Boom, baby! First paycheck (actually got it last Thursday, but have been lazy about posting lately) and loving it! It's gone now, but loved while it lasted, LOL.

Well, I have spent most of my time as of late as Fry Bitch. Yuck. I come home smelling like I did a swan dive into the fryer and my face and hair greasy beyond belief. So, I am up to at least two showers a day on work days. Sometimes three. *sigh* Well, isn't cleanliness close to godliness? We're close. Wow, me and God, man, me and God. We must be tight, with all these showers.

Anyway. My mom broke her foot last Sunday. Falling up my sisters back stairs. She's lucky all she broke was her foot. She's 65, living with leukemia, survived bladder cancer, and has had four heart attacks. This woman wound up in a heap on the stairs, with her leg bent back behind her and sitting on it. All she ended up with was a chipped and cracked bone. I know, that's not nothing, but it's better than what could have happened. A fractured femur, broken hip, another heart attack.... ugh. AND she has a blood clot in her groin. Bloody hell, can't she catch a break (I swear, no pun intended)? I mean, really. This is all she needs. And I really hate having to worry all the time about it breaking loose and travelling somewhere serious like her heart or brain or something. I am a worry wort by nature and this is driving me up the fucking wall. I love my mom dearly and worry about her health constantly.

And in other news, I have completed the Berry socks and have moved onto Christmas washcloths (presents) and another pair of socks. hee hee. I love knitting socks. I like the yarn, I like the needles (I'm using an Addi Turbo circular needle to do Magic Loop) and I like the little bitty stitches.

Well, I should go, cuz Booga keeps trying to wake up.

P.S. Happy Turkey Day!!!!! Gobble Gobble!

It's Snowing!!!!!!!!

2007-11-15T23:14:00.000-05:00

Must....resist......putting up....Christmas.....decorations.......

Don't...sucumb... to the..... yuletide cheer......

Can't....help...myself.....want......pretty...lights.......

I Got My Game On

2007-11-13T22:16:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a while since my last post, mainly because there hasn't been a ton of stuff happening around here. Booga had his 1st Birthday Party this past Saturday, and it was pretty good. Just my Mom, my sister and her family, and my aunt & uncle came. Small, but cozy. I actually prefer smaller parties, cuz you can visit a bit more than if you're trying to wrangle kids and thirty guests at the same time. We made Booga a mini no-bake cheesecake for his own personal cake to dive into, and ordered a bakery cake for everyone else. Poor guy. Sucks having an egg allergy. But, hey, he didn't seem to mind the least little bit. He ate almost the whole mini cheesecake, finger scoop by finger scoop. :)

Things at Checkers are going well. I had a few moments when I wanted to dunk my head in the fryer and put myself out my misery last week, but things are looking up this week. I've been doing Low-side window (they have a passenger side drive thru that isn't as busy, thus "Low-Side") all by my lonesome and doing fryer during slow times. Got the fryer thing down pat and I was on my game tonight on the window. All in all, a good night. (A whole 2 1/2 hours. Still the training schedule) And payday is Thursday. I love me some dough. Gimme the greenies.

Still not done on the Berry sock. I pick it up, work three rounds and put it down. Maybe I'm burnt out on the pattern. It's the only one that I've made that is big enough for my hippo legs. I started one not too long ago (with the Berry yarn) and did three inches of the cuff before I realized, "Hmmm. This minuscule tube will not even fit over the wide part of my foot, let alone my rhino calf." Rrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiippppppppp.

I hate frogging.

I realize, of course, that I shouldn't give up on the patterns, maybe try them on a larger needle size. I suck at math, so increasing the stitch count is out. Hm. Maybe that's what I'll do with the next pair. I do have a new skein of sock yarn (I bought it months ago) calling me.........

P.S. Hubby has a new blog! Check it out here

"Mom-mom, what's that smell?"

2007-11-09T23:17:00.000-05:00

Those were the words Mouth uttered upon my return from work tonight. He and Hubby were in Mouth's bed, reading the Target Toy Catalog (his favorite read around the holidays), so I joined them for a good-night kiss before hitting the shower.

He smiled and said," Hi, Momma! I missed you." beat "Mom-mom, what's that smell?" I couldn't help but grin and reply, "That would be me, Baby. Stinky, huh?" He nodded and said matter-of-factly, "Yeah." God love him.

Yup, I do perfume a room when I get home. Hot fryer shortening-stink just clings to me, head to toe. Yumm-o. SHEAH.

Anyhoo, I actually got a call from that Red Store that I applied to. Dammit, they are only hiring seasonal. I wanted the interview, and I should have taken it, but the fear of not having a paycheck at the end of two months made me say, "Thank you, no." ARGH!!!!! I wish they had called a week and a half ago.

Well, Booga's party is tomorrow, and I am looking forward to it. I just wish I didn't have to go in tomorrow nite. Oh well.

Nothing else really new, kiddies. I hope to finish the second Berry Sock in the next couple days, and then onto Christmas presents.....

Nobody Followed Me Home.....

2007-11-07T21:49:00.000-05:00

even though I totally smelled like a french fry.

I didn't get to be Window Girl today. I had to turn my hat around and be her greasy twin sister, Fry Bitch. I got to work and it was busy, and a couple people went home early, so I was instructed by the manager on duty to do fries and stuff. He had no idea that I had no idea how to do it. But, I jumped in with both feet and figured it out. When I wasn't sure of something, I asked. No big. I think I was a pretty okay Fry Bitch. Once I got in the groove and figured out the timer thing, no prob.

COULD NOT WAIT for a shower when I got home, LOL.

I can tell already this job is gonna be hell on my complexion. I swear, I've broken out more lately at 29 than I ever did at 16. Go figure. God damn hormones. Now add fryer shortening on top of that, and POW!!! Zit City. (Eww, what a thought. Zit City....)

Well, Booga turns one tomorrow. *sniff* My bubby!! Seems only yesterday that he was tiny. Well, his tiny was 8 lbs. 15 oz. Now he's like, 27 lbs. I can't believe it's been a year, though. Crazy.

Well, kiddies, that's it for now.

Peace, love, and fryer grease.

Da-da-da-DA! It's Window Girl!

2007-11-06T22:30:00.000-05:00

Yes, Folks, that's right! It's Window Girl! (That would be me) Taking orders and punching them in at cold molasses speed while over filling your drinks; it's Window Girl! Making sure to give you a sweet smile and incorrect change; it's Window Girl! Wearing the protective adamantium hairnet and groovy hat; it's Window Girl!

No, really, I am Window Girl. That's what I call myself, anyway. That's what job I get to do at Checkers, and I dig it. Truly. I poke fun and everything, but I think I could do okay at this. It's a little daunting at first, having to take orders, punch them in and fill drinks at the same time while listening for more order, but I think once I get in the groove, no prob.

So far, the people are nice. I felt a tad OLD, as the girl that was training me will be nineteen in three weeks. She is really nice; explaining things as many times as I needed. (I had issues with some of the button combinations needed to get the order right)

All in all, definitely do-able.

On to knitting news... nothing new, actually. I've knit a total of four inches of the cuff for the second Berry sock and feel Second Sock Syndrome creeping in. That means, for the non-knitters out there, that I finished one sock of a pair and either have started and fizzled or dread starting its mate. I've started it, and have reached the point of not digging it so much. I think it's just cuz I wasn't feeling 100% today and my hands are achy with the weather change.

Aha! Weather. Michigan weather, to be precise. It is now winter. I have declared it. It was grey, rainy, sleety, and COLD today and I am loving it. Except for the bitter wind that was freezing poor Mouth as we walked in from the parking lot to the grocery store. Poor guy still has the desert thin blood and because he doesn't eat a lot, he's THIN, thus no insulation. Wish I could give him some of my, ahem, insulation. Blubber, whatever.

The wintry weather must have freezer burned part of my brain, though, because I was considering taking down the fall decorations and getting out some of the winter ones. NOT NECESSARILY CHRISTMAS, but winter. Okay, maybe some Christmas.

Sue me.

I'll beat you with my greasy apron.

Sock Pictures

2007-11-05T13:45:00.000-05:00

Yay me!! I hope this actually works! I am attempting to post the pics that I promised.

This is the pair of socks that I am currently working on. It's Trekking XXL, color 153, in a basic, ribbed, cuff-down sock. Mmmm, love this yarn. Reminds me of berries, like I said before.

These are the socks that I made for my sister. LOVE the yarn. It's Tofutsies, which I adore, and I love the color way. Well, that's all for now, kiddies. Gotta go play with the boys!

Snots and socks

2007-11-04T21:26:00.000-05:00

Okay, I am over my bitterness of the rotten day that was Friday. Today wasn't tons better, but at least there was no nasty water to clean up, LOL.

Poor Booga is coming down with a cold. I feel so bad when they are so little and get a boogery nose and stuffy head. It makes it hard to eat, since breathing through your mouth and chewing is hard to do at the same time. (Is that proper grammar? Shane? Do you know? Should that be is hard to do or are hard to do? Ugh. Luna? Anyone? I hate being OCD about grammar and spelling.)

Anyhoo, today was a pretty nondescript Sunday. Knit and finished one sock. I love the yarn. It reminds me of berries. I am not terribly 'puter savvy, so I don't know how to post pics in the middle of my blog yet. As soon as I can, I will post a pic of said sock and also the socks that I finished for my sister. I made a nifty sock blocker out of a wire hanger that I had to nab from the locker room of my gym. (NOT STEALING, it was left on the floor) It's funny, I threw wire hangers away by the fistfuls when we moved a couple years ago, and here I am scrounging to find some! (I always hear Faye Dunaway screaming, "NO WIRE HANGERS, EV-AH!" from Mommie Dearest. Love that flick) Oh, uh, for the non-knitters, a sock blocker is a thingy that you, after hand washing your newly knit sock, slide the still damp sock onto to dry. It is a sock shaped piece of plastic, wood, or in my case, a wire hanger that helps the pattern of your sock stretch a bit and show nicely when giving it as a gift. Not really needed, but I like the way it makes my new sock look. I can show it off better.

Wow, wasn't that fascinating?

How's this for a boring post? Nothing really earth shattering going on the world of me. Not today, anyway.

I start work tomorrow. Kinda nervous. I hate meeting new people. I shouldn't say hate, more like dread. It makes me terribly nervous and almost panicky. I put on a good show, though, and muddle through. Anyway, I work Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 5:30 to 8:00 pm. It's just training. I'm a bit bummed that I have to work Saturday cuz it's the day we're having Booga's birthday party. It'll be fine though, plenty of time for party and visiting after.

I can't believe my baby is gonna be 1 year old on Thursday.

Where the hell has the time gone?

Anyone?

Anyone?

Bueller?

Bueller?

Aftershock

2007-11-03T11:33:00.000-04:00

Bleah. I, after having a day that sucked from HELL, decided that a few shots (two doubles and three singles) of my beloved Aftershock would make it all better.

And it did.

Until this morning.

Now, mind you, I am not hung-over in the puking my guts out and placing my face on the cool bathroom tile sense, but in the I really wanted to sleep until at least three and have a just shy of skull cracking headache. And I'm crabby. But that's my natural state. Just ask Hubby.

Well, our day that sucked from HELL started with getting up to get Mouth off to school. As I was sitting, enjoying my coffee (while Hubby took Mouth to the bus stop) I kept hearing this sound, like water dripping. So I got up to investigate, and it got louder, like someone peeing! I thought, okay, there's a peeing gnome in my washroom closet.... I opened the door to the closet and there was a HUGE puddle of water in the floor and water streaming from the ceiling, out of the furnace and down the walls.

You can imagine the stream of expletives that left my lips at that moment. I'm just glad Mouth wasn't witness. "My Mommom (that's what he calls me) said @*#%&!!!!! this morning."

We had water dripping all over the kitchen and filling up the light fixture. And I don't mean nice, clean, clear water, I mean rust colored, nasty water. YUCKO!! Anyway, apparently, the people that live above us are never there and their hot water tank burst. Didn't spring a little leak. BURST. So, the two inches of water that was in their kitchen filtered on down to mine. Isn't that just grand?!

Anyway, that got cleaned up (of course any clean up in here is up to us. Bastards.) and when Hubby got home, we had to do the grocery thing.

I hate that store. It always puts me in a foul mood. They never have what I need, except in the giant three pound size that I don't want. Who wants three pounds of navy beans? Not me. All I want is one pound so I can make Mom's Navy Bean soup. (It is so good. Navy beans, smoked ham hocks, onion, YUM! Corn bread on the side... a cold weather fave!!!!!!) No fresh croissants. They'd all been boxed up. In half dozen containers. They get soggy when boxed. I only wanted two. (Bought some anyway. Soggy or not, I wanted some!!) No wipes for the cart. (had to walk down to the other entrance to get one) Crap rang up wrong on the receipt. And...

THERE ARE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AND CANDY OUT ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone else see a problem with this? I am in no way a humbug. I LOVE Christmas. I just don't love it on Halloween! We went into the store on Halloween to buy some make up for trick-or-treating and they were putting up Christmas stuff already! And yesterday, the candy was all out along with dishes and tablecloths and stuff.

Come on. The day after Thanksgiving, yes. Halloween? NO. *sigh*

I need some Excedrin.

I Got Me a Job

2007-10-29T22:48:00.000-04:00

Well, it finally happened. I got me a job. Officially. Filled out the tax paperwork and everything. It's kinda funny how it happened. I was driving past this place Friday (the 26th)and there was a sign out front that said "Now Taking Applications". (It's like, literally, two minutes from the apartment) I figured what the hell, stop in and fill one out real quick. Had my first interview and the gal said, "you'll probably hear from me Monday". I thought, "and I'll hold my breath til then."

See here for explanation of this cynicism.

Lo, and behold while I was at the gym this morning, she called! When I got home, Hubby said, "Hey! They called! They want you to call them back." WOO-HOO! Sure enough, she wanted to do a second interview! Holy Crap. So I go down there and she says, "Let's skip the BS, I know I want to hire you. Here, fill out the paperwork and welcome to the team."

Right on.

So, kiddies, yours truly is now a Checkers employee. Yessiree, I am officially a burger-flipper-in-training. I get the cool hat and apron and everything. Smokin'! Man, I'll never get the kids to leave me alone, now. I am going to smell like a french fry. I'll be like the Pied Piper, with a trail of kids following me. "Hey, do you smell that? Mmm, french fries...."

All joking aside, I am immensely relieved to have gotten something finally. It may not be my first choice, but hey, they called when no one else did and we need the dough. So....

Welcome to Checkers! May I take your order?

Workin' Out....

2007-10-25T21:23:00.000-04:00

...and whining about it later!

Well, Hubby and I have finally taken the plunge and joined the local gym. Yay!!! We've been saying for a long while (and several pounds) that we both need to start doing something about our weight and health, seeing as we both want to be here for our boys in the future. So, we went yesterday to sign up and today was my first workout.

Wanna see my muscles? *Rrrrr* There. I flexed for you. What? You couldn't see them? Oh, that's because they're hiding under all the flubber. And they have curled up in tears at the strain I inflicted on them today. You would be proud. Remember weight training? I swear, I heard Coach Gibbs shouting about Lizardheads and taking it on in.... I dunno. Anyhoo, you would be proud cuz I did upper, lower AND cardio. They have wicked cool weight machines at this place. My only problem is I did my workout in reverse. I did upper, then lower and then cardio. By the time I climbed limply onto the elliptical machine, my legs were screaming, "Bitch, you CRAZY!" So, cardio was cut depressingly short by an uncooperative bod. So, tomorrow, I will do cardio first and then weights. If I can get out of bed, that is...

My ass hurts.
My back hurts. (this may be also from actually falling out yesterday. Way crazy dizzy spell, and next thing I know, THWAP! Right on my ass on the linoleum. Scared the crap out of me AND Hubby.)
My quads hurt.

Ooh, but it's a good hurt.

Also in breaking news, my darling, loving, thoughtful, kick-ass Hubby bought me an MP3 player for motivation to work out!!!! I am so excited! I got the software loaded and got it charged, now I just need him to show me how to do the ripping thing for the music. I am not too techno savvy, so I will need help figuring it out. Woo-hoo!

We took Mouth and Booga to the apartment complexes Halloween party tonight, which was kinda fun and kinda lame. The haunted house would have been cool had I not turned into a total horror wuss while preggers with Mouth. I walked through by myself VERY close to a lady that had her kids with her (the monsters didn't jump out and scare to keep the kids *and me* from freaking) and couldn't wait to get out. Man, what the hell?! I used to LOVE this stuff! I can't watch scary movies (the scariest thing I can handle is SAW III) or hear a chainsaw without cowering like a three year old! (and some three year olds might look at me and say, "Grow up, Lady.") Luckily, they didn't have a chainsaw, (I might have wet myself) but they did have a power drill. Gave me chills, but no loss of bladder control. Anyway, Mouth got to have some cheesy poofs and brownies (what a combo!) and then we went on a hayride.

The hayride consisted of a pickup hauling a flat trailer with bails of hay on it. Not bad, really. It was cold, but hey, it is October in Michigan. So far, pretty good. Mouth and Booga were diggin' it. Now, throw in a handful of OBNOXIOUS fifth graders (yes, fifth graders) and it becomes the hayride from Hell. I swear, had I been that rude and obnoxious when I was that age, I would not be writing now, I would be worm food. Well, maybe not, but I would have needed extensive dental work at least. Bridges, caps, full plates, I dunno. Anyway, these were the mouthiest and loudest kids I have ever seen! it made my skin crawl at the thought of my boys turning into that. Nope, no way. Not happening. I felt for they guys that were in charge of the ride cuz you could tell they wanted to tell the kids to take a flying leap, but had to hold their tongue.

Where's a chainsaw wielding maniac when you need one? (oops, I gotta pee...)

Long Lost Friend and New Yarn

2007-10-23T21:39:00.000-04:00

I am so excited right now. I was finally able to track down the most important person in my high school life. (Oh my gawrsh, I sound like some psycho stalker! Oooh, maybe I am....) My bestest friend (she will be called Carrie, and she will probably roll her eyes and snicker at the reference that only she will understand) and I lost contact mainly through fault that is mine own; that would be laziness regarding emails and IM's and self inflicted isolation due to depression and all sorts of toxic feelings. It kills me that I let our friendship peter off like that when she is one of the most important people to me. Okay, enough mush. We had the best time together in HS (at least I did) in the small burg that was Deming, New Mexico, a.k.a. the Armpit of the Earth. (I hated it) We wrote many, many stories and poems, and ate lots of Salsa Rio Doritos and drank gallons of Mountain Dew. (in case you haven't noticed, I have a memory like an elephant about details like that, however, I cannot tell you what I ate for lunch today or yesterday...) Bleah, enough blabbering on. She's awesome, I've missed her, and I hope to keep our friendship on track this time, LOL.

BTW, her blog is here.

Okay, now I ask, how cool is this: I got in the mail today, a skein of Vickie Howell's Love yarn! I am in love! It's a gorgeous silvery grey and super silky soft. Now I have to figure out what the heck to do with it! The gremlin in my head is shrieking "HOARD IT!!!!! KEEPS IT! TAKES IT OUT AND FONDLE IT ONCE IN A WHILE, BUT KEEPS IT!!!!" Yes the gremlin in my head sounds a bit like Gollum. Go figure.

Shut Up and Knit

2007-10-20T21:56:00.000-04:00

I love that phrase. Hubby said it jokingly to me this afternoon as we were watching a movie and I said something that was my usual smart-assedness. Didn't even blink or twitch, just out with, "Shut up and knit." snickersnort Hee hee, love it! I think I shall re-name my blog that. SHUT UP AD KNIT. Has a ring, don'tcha think?

Do you have a relative that you love dearly, but at the same time wish you could slap the ever-loving shit out of? I do. She shall be henceforth referred to as.... uh....hmm. Well, Mom, I guess. Ha! You don't know her and can't tell her what I'm about to rant about! HaHA! No really, I do adore my mom. She's the kindest person I have ever met, but is still kinda stuck in the 50's. Old school values (nothing wrong with that) and VERY old school beliefs. That, I have been battling against my whole life. Take for instance, I called her to tell her of Mouth's results (See here) and she was like "Okay, but really, don't turn this into a thing where you make excuses for him and his behavior. he still needs discipline." DUH! And then, "You know when we were in AZ (she stayed with us for 6 months after Booga was born to help) and he was acting out with the screaming and hitting and kicking, I never saw any discipline that did anything to him. What he really needed was a good ol' ass swatting. Forget this time out crap."

Okay. (deep breath, Beth) Please please please, I don't care who you are, don't tell me how to raise my frickin' kids! I am doing the best that I can with a sometimes difficult child without resorting to beatings! Gimme a friggin' break. Mouth can be hard to discipline because he has no currency. Meaning, spankings don't work. Time out doesn't work. No TV doesn't work. Going to bed early doesn't work. When I say doesn't work, I mean there is no change in the offending behavior. He's back at it first chance he gets or if something triggers it. *sigh* I love my son and yes, there are times when I lose my temper and want to explode, but I do not and will not EVER beat my child into submission. Now, please don't take this as I'm saying my mother beat us. NO WAY, NO HOW, SHE DID NOT! I think it was one or two spankings in our life TOTAL . And that was three swats on the tush with a bare hand. That was all it took. We shaped up and didn't do it again. Mouth isn't wired that way. He's different. I just don't think she gets that.

I know she means well, but really. Come on, educate yourself and try to be understanding before you pass judgement on how I'm raising my sons.

P.S. Stew-boy, I have a pattern for your jaunty tam o' whatever. *ominous chuckle* What color do you want?

Mouth's Appointment Results

2007-10-19T22:18:00.001-04:00

For those of you that don't know our family, our eldest son, Mouth, has had some issues with some delays in development, I guess you could say. When he was screened for preschool in AZ, he was placed in special ed. due to a significant speech delay (he was tongue tied at birth), some motor delays and social delays. He is doing much better, but has had some large problems with tolerance to frustration and "behavioral issues". His school in AZ mentioned possible Aspberger's Syndrome, which is on the Autism Scale. So, when we moved up here, we took him to the BRAINS Institute and had him screened. We found out today, he does not appear to have Aspberger's, but instead has Dyspraxia, which is a Sensory Processing Disorder. Now, I don't know exactly what that means, as I have to further educate myself about it (thank God for the Internet), but from what I gathered at our meeting, he has problems telling his body what to do or how to do things. For instance, his room is a disaster (which it often is, and so was mine when I was a kid) and I tell him to clean it up. He starts to and then gets upset, stating "I can't." I used to get angry and say,"Well, if you made the mess then surely you can clean it up." Well, today, I found out he really can't. It's too much stimuli (visually and conceptually) for him to handle and he shuts down. I will need to go in and sit with him and say,"Okay, pick up the puzzles and put them in their boxes. Now stack the boxes on the shelf. Gather up these guys and put them in their box. Put the costumes in the tote" and so on. One or two step instructions are key. And praise and thumbs up are HUGELY important.

It's scary because I don't know a lot about it yet, but I know that with our diligence as parents, Hubby and I will be able to give Mouth the help and encouragement he's going to need.

Okay, on a lighter note, I am still working on those socks for my sister. I've turned the heel and have started shaping the gusset on the second of the pair and can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. Woo-hoo! Then I need to get crackin' on the dishcloths I promised Mom for Christmas. I just realized tonight that I have, like, a dozen skeins or so of various colored dishcloth yarn (100% cotton) in my stash. Holy shee-it. That's a lot of friggin' dishcloths.

And I hate doing dishes.

It's been a while, eh?

2007-10-17T21:49:00.000-04:00

Well, I have returneth. It's rather funny when I think that I *tsk* and roll my eyes when my fave bloggers haven't written in like four days, and here I am, four days since my last entry. snickersnort Shame on me.

Well, there is a very good reason for the lapse in writing. I was actually trying to keep myself from melting into a panic-stricken, snot running, eyes streaming, puddle of bleah (or puddle of Beth) after going on line to look at medical sites about some symptoms I'd been having for quite sometime and have finally gotten too painful literally and figuratively (as in ass). I won't bore you or gross you out with the details, but in short, every symptom I have brings up.... dum da da DUM.... Breast Cancer. So, I thusly freaked and called the GP that Hubby has seen, fully expecting to get the "We'll see you in six to eight weeks" spiel, but no, they had to further panic me and tell me to come in the next day. Huh?!? Argh! *gulp* *whimper* Well, long story short, I went in, he doesn't believe it to be cancerous (he mentioned perhaps still wanting to do a breast ultrasound... maybe it's pregnant? woo hoo! Hubby will love that. Little baby breasteses running around) and is sending me to a dermatologist who may or may not want to do surgery. So, in a nutshell, that's been my week so far.

On a lighter note, Vickie Howell mentioned my blog on her site! How cool is that? Well, okay, so it's typo'd, but I left the correct address in her comment thingy. Anyway, I still think it's pretty damn cool.

Also, another reason I've been MIA is I got my invite to Ravelry and promptly got sucked in. LOVE IT!! Can't... seem....to...resist......gotta go! Peace, love, and chicken grease.

Long talks and the introduction of Mouth and Booga

2007-10-13T21:21:00.000-04:00

Well, adoring fans, I have returned from my little runaway kinda weekend, and I could use another weekend to recover from the first one. Five-ish hours in a car down to Illinois for a giant pain in the butt, BS, legal matter just plain sucks buttermilk. (Add to that, a 2 1/2 hour round trip to collect my mom to watch Mouth and Booga. Bleah.)

Spending a little quality alone time with Hubby was faboo, as we got to have an actual conversation without being interrupted by a loud "I'm hungry" or "Booga is chewing on his toy!" (the latter in a tone clearly implying that this is in fact something that could very well end the world as we know it.)

Ah, who is Booga? Well, Booga is our 11-month old boy who can put the food away like nobodies business. And he chews on EVERYTHING. This kid has been teething since 2 months of age (I shit you not) and still has not popped a tooth yet. Unbelievable. It doesn't hinder his eating, that's for sure. He eats anything put in front of him. Pizza, pasta, smoked sausage, chicken, potatoes, pineapple, lint, food off the floor, his brother, paper... the list goes on and on.

Mouth is our five year old boy who has earned the name Mouth by using his. Constantly. Never-endingly. I thought I had a mouth for sass when I was a kid. Sheah. He puts me to shame. He's always got to have the last word (as do I, so this can go on for a while), talks back constantly, has taken to cursing, (the phrase that makes me wince, because I am supposed to be a Christian and it slips past my lips too often, is "G** D*** it!" Ack!!!! Bad Momma!!!!!!!). The big problem? It's been said at school. (Hanging my head in shame. Not ashamed of him, but of myself. He heard it from me, and kids will repeat what they hear at home.) And he has no currency. This meaning, we can take away T.V. No effect. Toys? Nope. Play time outside? Nyet. Books? Nuh-uh. A swat on the butt? We receive a dirty look and a guilty conscience, but no behavior change. *sigh* Now don't get me wrong, Mouth is by no means a beast. I adore him because he is the most loving, compassionate little boy I have ever met. (I may be biased, but I speak the truth) If one of us doesn't feel well, he's the first there with hugs and kisses. I laid on the floor to nap one Sunday afternoon while Hubby watched football, and Mouth got up out of his comfy chair, pulled a blanket out of its cubby, and covered me with it most quietly and tenderly. Made me sniffle with Momma-pride. He ADORES his little brother and even though he can get a little jealous, he is always watching out for Booga. We recently found out Booga has an allergy to eggs (I think the huge hives covering him were the first clue) and Mouth was worried sick the entire time Booga had the hives. He couldn't really put in words that he was worried, but his actions spoke volumes. He took VERY good care of Lil' Bro.

Anyway.... what was I talking about originally? Oh, conversation. I've missed it. It's so nice to talk to another adult and not have to include cartoon character names or speak in a sing-song. I have caught myself doing it anyway, much to Hubby's amusement. I actually said "Night-night, Baby" one evening when he was working nights. (He goes to bed at 7 or so in the evening, so I always go in and say goodnight.) I didn't just SAY it, I sang it in the Momma voice. It sounded like, "Ny-Niiiight, Bay-bee. " *sigh*

We actually talked after we turned out the lights for, like and hour and a half. It was awesome. It really felt like we reconnected. I didn't realize how much I missed Hubby! He hasn't gone away, but it's like, "Hey! Remember me? I'm your wife. Yeah, I know, I've been MIA a bit. You know, raising kids kinda puts Hubbies on that back burner, unfortunately. How've you been? Great! Yeah, we should definitely do this again! How's three years from now?"

Anyhoo, I should get some sleep, so later y'all!

P.S. Stewby-- DPNs are double pointed needles used for knitting round things, like socks, hats, gloves, etc. They come in various materials, like bamboo, aluminum, and plastic. I suppose you could eat them, bit I wouldn't want to be your gastroenterologist. Eek.

Job Hunting

2007-10-10T22:53:00.000-04:00

Okay, so a part-time evening job is needed for some extra dough. So, that means filling out applications at various places that I wouldn't feel like skewering myself through the eye with a size four DPN after a shift. Hmmm. That would leave.... uh.... favorite craft store (HL), BIG well-known grocery store here in MI, and that store that has everything and everyone wears red.

So I filled out and dropped off an app at HL like a month ago. Uh, hullo? No call. Grr. You'd think that with my addiction to all things crafty and actual KNOWLEDGE of said things, they'd be jumping up and down to have someone like me. Nope. Apparently, they'd rather hire teenagers that look at you like you've got a second head when asked about the location of blocking pins. Fine. Scratch that one.

So, then, last week I went to a job fair at above mentioned grocer and did the app and got an interview on the spot. Cool. Seemed promising as the woman I spoke to (Gracious Lady K) wanted to do an immediate second interview, but alas, it was too late and there was on one available to do one. "We'll call you probably tomorrow to set up another interview." Woo-hoo!!!! Hopes up, crossed fingers..... no call. I call them. Get run around as who to talk to about app status (i.e., "talk to Bobbie-Sue tomorrow." Call for Bobbie-Sue. "She's not here." "Okay, when would be a good time to reach her?" "Next week. Vacation." ARGH!!!!) and then keep calling until I get someone real. He says (and I really want to give his name and tear him up one side and down the other, but I will refrain) "Great! Yes, I can do an interview Monday at 12:30." I agree and ask Hubby if he can come home for lunch to watch the boys on that day. He agrees, and I cross fingers and pray and light candles and do good luck dances and wear thirty rabbits feet until Monday. I get dressed up ( I shaved my legs and put on make-up dammit!!) and go in only to have the customer service gal call him and look at me like I'm crazy. "Are you sure you have an interview?" I nod. She relays my nod and hangs up. I stand there for ten minutes in shoes that are killing my feet, trying to look patient and relaxed when what I really want to do is sit down with a steaming cup of Starbucks and flip the customer service lady off as I sip. Then she comes up to me and says "Uh, he says he has no idea who you are, he did NOT speak you or set up this appt. and he can't find your app. Go fill out another one and speak to Gracious Lady K." Say WHAT!? Okay, did I just get sucked into "let's see if we can drive Beth insane world"? But I just nod and smile saying, okay, sure. Anyway, I talk to Gracious Lady K and she agrees to look for my app and give me a call. No call. So we have to pick up a few things tonight for dinner, and decide to go to that store. Lo, and behold, another job fair is going on. So I trek my big ol' butt back there to the corporate fairgrounds and wait to speak to someone. And wait. And wait. I see Gracious Lady K and make eye contact and smile.

I get tired of waiting (there are two tired kids and a hungry Hubby waiting for me) and grab the first Shirt that walks by. IT"S HIM!!!! The deny-I-spoke-to-you-to-try-and-make-you-think-you're-surely-losing-your-mind guy! I really wanna kick him in his balding pointed head, but just smile and say my name and ask if I can check the status of my app. He says "sure, let me take your number and I'll check and call you." Hiccup. I tell ya, I never needed a bottle of Boones Farm Strawberry Hill as bad as I did right at that moment. So, needless to say I get to play my favorite game of all, The Waiting Game. Yay.

*yawn* Well kiddies, it's time for me to hit the sack cuz I have to go get my mom in the AM to watch the boys for us Thurs and Fri. So, for all of my millions of readers out there, try not to weep as I miss a few days of posting. I shall return!

My very first blog entry

2007-10-09T23:14:00.000-04:00

Hey there! This is my first attempt at blogging, and I am seriously wondering if there's even anyone out there who would want to read about lil' ol' me!

Hmmm... me. Well, I am a stay at home mom to two crazy boys; ages five and a half and eleven months. I am happily married to a gem of a guy (seven years!!! Yay, us!), and when I say gem, I mean it! Who else would put up with my schizophrenic hobby habits? I mean, I started out crocheting, then stamping, sewing, scrapbooking, cross-stitching, scrapping again, cross-stitching again, crocheting again, throw some quilting in there, and then add knitting. Ah, knitting! I started out on dishcloths, then scarves, and now socks. Hee hee! I love me some socks! And I am a self admitted yarn pig, yarn ho, whatever ya wanna call it. If there's sock yarn to be had, I'm gonna get it. Somehow. Come hell or high water, I WILL get it, heh. Poor Hubby. Had he only known of my expensive habits, he might not have wed this addict of all things crafty.

I have started on my fifth pair of socks; these being knit for my sister. The yarn is Tofutsies (LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!) and I'm doing it on 2.5 mm bamboo DPN's. Now I gotta tell ya, I am NOT loving the needles. They are way too bendy and have become warped in my hot little hands, causing me much sighing, wrinkling of the nose, cursing under breath, and thoughts of chucking them out the window. *sigh* Other than that, I am loving the way they are turning out. The colorway is a pretty variety of rose and pink shades (don't have the label in front of me, too lazy to get it) and I really dig how it's striping up. I might have to get me a ball of the same and then we'll, like, totally match! Heh.

Once I figure out how, I will try and post pics of said socks.

Well, my hands are getting snarky as this is the most I've typed in say, years, so I will close now. Hmmm. Wonder if anyone will read this...........