Yarnmaven

Easing Back into Normal

The holiday is almost over.  We put my MIL on a plane home to Vermont today, tomorrow early, my BIL and his family return to Seoul, Korea.  While our thoughts were with my aunt in Dallas, we managed to show them around a bit here at home.  We made it to SeaWorld and the Riverwalk in San Antonio, they took us to a Korean Restaurant in North Austin and then today they took me to a Korean Market in town.  I love Korean food.  I can't get Tom or Abby to eat it, it's mostly too spicy for them, but I got a few things for me; kimchi, noodle soup(hot) and some dumplings that I think they will be able to handle, also some soy bean sprouts and seaweed.  It was good to have some guidance in the market today for future purchases.  The man who owns the store promised to remember me when I come back without any Korean speakers with me. 

Tomorrow we're having Abby's birthday party after we had to cancel it in December because she and some of the other girls were sick on the date we had it scheduled. If we don't do it tomorrow, we'll likely never get around to it once everyone is back to their normal routine. 

My thoughts have frequently been about my aunt since Christmas.  She continues to improve at the hospital in Dallas, but she's awake now and while that is great progress, it also means she is now aware and struggling with her condition and unable to communicate right now beyond responding to yes or no queries.  Besides around 12 broken bones and being strapped to her bed with her jaw wired shut, she is a smoker and I'm sure she's jonesing for a cigarette despite all the other indignities she is suffering, I KNOW my aunt.  This whole ordeal will likely also cost her some weight, as she hasn't had a real meal since Christmas Eve.  Her jaw will be wired shut for about 6 weeks.  I know she misses her CSPAN too, but at least if she can get into a room other than ICU, she'll be able to watch the inauguration because I know she's looking forward to it.  I wish I could do something now, but I'll wait till there is something useful for me to help with as she recovers.  

Monday I return to work and I'm looking forward to some new projects and committees at the office and beyond, some involving social media, which is very exciting.  I'm also looking forward to trying to get some things in my house organized - New Year's always seems to stoke my desire to get a handle on my demons and what to do with all my stuff is one of those demons.  I think I'll start with a new closet organizing system.  There simply must be a way to get it all in there.  Can't spend a lot of money, but I'm handy so I feel confident.

Now to bed.  I'm practicing getting up early again so that Mondy won't be so painful.  Night, night.

Happy New Year!

I have heard that whatever you do on New Year's Day determines how you will spend your whole year.  If that's true, I will continue doing laundry, cleaning house and cooking for family.  Somehow I don't think I was really going to get out of all that even if I'm not superstitious.  I am however an irrepressible optimist and like to think that attitude is what will carry me through this new year.  We all have lots to look forward to despite the economic outlook and the fact that we remain a largely one (solid) income family at this time. 

My aunt who was hospitalized on Christmas Eve is now awake and my family is positively jubilant about it even though she has a long and painful road to recovery.  We are up to it.  Her internal organs are fine, her brain is fine and she is no longer on a ventilator.  She will have several reconstructive surgeries but she should regain the use of her broken limbs.  I want to thank all my blogging friends and Twitter friends who responded with kind encouragement.  I am extremely lucky to count you all as my friends. 

Tom's brother and his family from Korea have been visiting since the 20th and will be returning home in a couple of days.  It's been really fun getting to know the newest member of the family, little Mina, who is only a month younger than my own grandson, Cooper.  They played together well and were a constant source of amusement.  My MIL #2 is here visiting also and she goes back to Vermont tomorrow. 

I've been playing around with a couple of ideas about my blogging for a while and today seems like a good day to make a decision one way or the other.  I have really been enjoying some of my online friends efforts at 365/6 Flickr postings but find that I am not such a good photographer and really dislike photos of myself so I don't think I could bring myself to do it.  I also have been envious of other knitbloggers who committed to writing a blog post every single day for a year.  That might be something I could pull off if I really worked at it.  What I would like to know is, those who have done it...was it difficult and was it rewarding and did you feel like you imporved your writing skills or what other revelations did you experience on this journey?  I may not do it, but I would like some force to compel/propel me to post more frequently because I really do enjoy the interaction.  I admit that I often don't post because I feel so overwhelmed and conflicted and don't want to babble or rant or just indulge in wasting time and cyperspace just to see my words in space.  I also know that I have lost a few regular visitors because I have fallen behind so badly in my blogging activites.  I wonder if I could carve out a bit more time to write and perhaps spend a tad less time on Twitter.  Finding the time seems to be the biggest challenge - Twitter is easy and I really like the immediacy of it.  But, it's not exactly blogging.  So, I will think on it some more.  

About my knitting:  I still knit and really need to organize that area of my life a bit more - still working on that Starsky Jr. for Abby and a couple of other UFO's that continue to haunt me.  And I have tried really hard to resist the urge to start more projects - at least until I can finish one.  Inspiration doesn't seem to be lacking, really, again, it's time that's lacking and I need to address that in some way.  What shall I stop doing so I can do more of what I want, hmmm, that may be the essential question.  And so this is how I start my new year; desparately wanting more time for me, without my family suffering.  If you have any success stores, please share.

And my you all have a Happy New Year and thanks for sticking around!

A Christmas Wish

It's after 11pm on Christmas night, the child is asleep, and I am up alone in a quiet house. This has been a challenging December at our house and it's not over yet.  Tom and I both had interviews for new jobs, neither of us got.  Abby was sick for her 8th birthday and we had to cancel her party.  Two dear friends at work have left the agency, one moved to a new and exciting job at another agency and one retired to an exciting home remodeling project.  Both will be sorely missed and whose absence leaves a gaping hole in our web team.  My church that I have been a member of for 24 years voted 213/176 to dismiss a much loved and controversial minister essentially splitting our church in two.  I am still vexed by this action and feel betrayed and broken-hearted.  As my family celebrated the arrival of my brother-in-law and his family visiting from Korea for the holidays, the part of my family that lives in Dallas was gathering to celebrate Christmas last night.  Unfortunately a freak accident as they were all leaving for their homes has left my aunt in intensive care in a Dallas hospital and my family reeling from the sudden randomness of the trauma inflicted on both my aunt and my nephew who was also injured.  They tell us that her injuries at this time are not life-threatening, but they are life-changing.  My nephew's truck rolled over both of them when the parking brake failed.  My aunt is 69 years old and has multiple fractures and lacerations and will likely be permanently disfigured on the left side of her face and head.  It is still too early to know much else for certain.  There is a lot of inflammation that needs to subside before they can consider surgery, so she is being sedated for now and we wait.  My husband Tom drove my mother to Dallas this morning.  He volunteered and had his bag packed 30 minutes after we got the call last night.  We celebrated Christmas today without them as they sat vigil in a hospital 200 miles north. 

Last December I lost a childhood friend to cancer and my father-in-law to a lung disease.  As painful as that December was, I am feeling almost as vulnerable this year.  Though I don't pray, it's not part of my religious practice, I understand some Unitarians do, I do have a Christmas Wish for my aunt Martha, a beloved aunt whom I am very close to, to heal quickly and allow her family who loves her to help her in any way that we can.  I also hope that my nephew who assumes too much responsibility for the accident will find peace in the fact that nobody was to blame and that we all love them both very much.  May the New Year bring healing for us all.

Peace.

Giving Thanks

1. I am thankful that my family is in good health
2. I am thankful I have a job - I have lived through tough econimic times when I was not as securely employed (like the 1980's) and it makes a difference.
3. I am thankful Tom got his degree and even though he still doesn't have a full time teaching contract yet, he is subbing regularly and get this...he doesn't hate it.  That's big.
4. I am thankful for all my friends, whether they are local or distant or even whether I have ever met them in person or not, they make being a mere human being bearable.
5. I am thankful that my mom lives nearby now and that she is involved in our lives and she is in a safer place.
6. I am thankful for all the relatives that don't live near us, I just wish they did. (Hear that Martha, Laurie, Bart?)
7. I am thankful that we we do not have an Adjustable Rate Mortgage on our home.  Boy, am I thankful.
8. I am thankful that our cars keep running, most of the time, even though they are 10 years old.  If they can just hang in there a little longer.
9. I am so very thankful that the next president of this country is a visionary, reasonable, uncommon man who I believe will save us all.
10. I am thankful that the winters in Texas are not any worse than they are because I am convinced I would freeze to death if it was any colder for any longer.
11. I am thankful for my husband, Tom because after ten years of marriage, even though he's a little surly sometimes and he would rather live in the city, he doesn't leave me and he is the best father I have ever known. Did I mention that he's been married to me for 10 years?  That's really big.
12. I am thankful that my oldest daughter, Kandis has grown up to be a wonderful wife, mother, friend and daughter. I am also thankful that she found a wonderful husband, Rob and that they gave me a wonderful grandson, Cooper!

Now, let's all eat turkey and pie and take naps and shop (modestly).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Positive Product Review and the Art of Distraction

I have recently come across a couple of products that I have decided deserve sharing because of their effectiveness or quality or whatever it is that makes us buy a product again after we have tried it once.  This also gives me something to do while we wait for the election returns tomorrow night.  Waiting is not one of my best things.  Ask anyone. 

Hand and Body Lotion - Joy Spa Formula and J.A.S.O.N. Cocoa Butter Lotion

I have had dry skin my whole, entire life.  I remember when I was growing up Jergens was in every grandmother's house and in ours.  I don't think it had a lot of competition in the early days.  I remember when Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion first came out.  It was all the rage.  The long awaited cure for dry skin.  Meh.  But it was the best we had.  I tried every new hand and body lotion that came out for many years.  Avon, cosmetics companies, hospital grade products, herbal remedies, and even natural salves like Bag Balm.  Some were okay, some sucked, I hated anything with perfume in it, it burned, and most felt greasy or just like I had something on me.  Then one day after my mom came back from a trip to Hot Springs, AR, she brought home with her a bottle of lotion she got at the hotel where she enjoyed the mineral springs baths.  This lotion was used by the massage therapists after her bath.  It is made from the natural hot springs found in the area.  It is the perfect hand lotion for me.  No dyes or perfumes and it absorbs into your skin easily and leaves NO residue.  I love it.  I used to have her bring it back every time she back to Hot Springs.  Well, now you can order it from them.  You can't actually order it online, but you can order it by phone and here's the web page where you can see the prices - scroll all the way down to the Joy Spa Formula Products, Therapeutic Hand & Body Lotion section.  It will not disappoint.

The other hand and body lotion I can recommend is by J.A.S.O.N. is scented - cocoa butter, that's why I love it.  I don't use many products with fragrance, because Tom hates them, but every now and then I find something with a scent that isn't objectionable to him and that I love.  Not only is this a fabulous smelling lotion to me, I use it every day on my legs which are afflicted with eczema most every winter and it helps to moisturise my tattoo.  The stuff is so rich and smooth and I swear it is still there at the end of the day, on my honor, never had a lotion with such staying power.  It comes in pump as well as squeeze tube and I usually buy it at Whole Foods, but you can order it online.  They make other scents, but cocoa butter makes me think of lying on the beach in summer and that's one of my happy places that I go when I need to. 

Niether one of these products is prohibitively expensive and they aren't that exclusive, they just work extremely well for someone who is extremely particular.  If you try them, let me know what you think.  I will be spending Tuesday night in front of the tube with family watching the returns and I'm not leaving there until I hear Obama's acceptance speech.  Then I'll tell you about a little something I found that takes care of moths.  Here's to Happy Days ahead.

Change

Changing Priorities

I can't say when exactly things changed.  It may have been when I agreed to become the PTA Fundraising Chair.  It might have been when my mom moved down from Dallas to a house only about 10 miles away.  It might have been even farther back before I became a grandma, I just can't figure out when exactly my life changed, but it did and I haven't quite adjusted to it yet.  I really miss blogging.  I really miss me time.  I really miss lots of things I used to do and don't seem to have the time to do now and yet, I keep trying to do it all.  Which means I am doing most things in a very half-assed, scatter-brained sort of way.  My life is spread so impossibly thin between work, family and volunteering that there is less and less time I get to spend at my favorite passtimes. 

Changing Technology

I used to think that I had to have something craft related to talk about in order to bother with a blog post.  I got over that a bit, but then I got completly sucked up in Twitter because Twitter can provide that instant gratification that you can't get from regular blog posting. Twitter is impetuous and reactionary.  And it limits you to 140 characters.  It's been a real lesson in brevity. It's very "in the moment".  At least for me.  Anyway, I would truly be dangerous with a smart phone because at least for now, I can only Twitter from a computer, which I am almost always in front of.  So, lately I don't blog.  I Twitter.

Changing Sizes

And there has been precious little knitting.  I started a sweater for Abby.  Starsky Jr in Cascade 220 Cranberry.  I got to the armholes on the back and held it up to her.  I don't know why I can't seem to keep up with this child's growth.  I measured her.  And made the smaller size.  Now it's too small and I have to rip and start the next size up.  The pattern is killing me.  I love cables and was thinking this would be like that and it's not.  I still love the design, but it's a lot harder than it looks.  Something like a 14 row repeat that is hard to read on the needles.  Anyway, I think I'm getting better at reading it and only refer to the chart every so often.  Also when I sit down to knit these days, it's just before bedtime or during debates (try debate watching while Twittering the drinking game AND knitting), so it's not real productive knitting time.  Now I'm ripping.  <sigh>

Changing Seasons

I did manage to sew Abby's Halloween costume while she was at a Brownie Sleepover last weekend.  I think it's big enough for her to wear next year too.  We're still looking for a Toto stand-in for this gig.

The Daylight Savings thing begins again this weekend, so what that means to me is: short, dark days when I can't get a decent photograph of anything that I made.  It also means that it's winter. 

The Change

I started having hot flashes.  It took me a while to figure out what was happening.  I always thought it would be great to feel warmth instead of cold all the time.  But it's not like that at all.  It's like being really embarrassed.  It's not just warmth and it's not all over, it's just from the chest up and it's a discomfort - not horrible, but it gets your attention and it's hard to ignore.  But it passes.  My chiropractor tried to get me to take these Chinese herbs, she said something about my pancreas steaming.  As scientific as that sounded an all, I decided to pass for now and we'll just see how it goes.

Changes in Attitude

It's a really stressful time for lots of people, like those with money in the stock market or in real estate, or in retirement accounts, but I can't really get too worked up about that right now, maybe because there's not a damn thing I can do about it.  I am very excited about the prospect of a real change in the leadership of this country and I don't think much can spoil this optimism.  See, I don't dislike change, I embrace it.  Tomorrow I am voting, I have never voted early before.   I always liked the excitment of voting on Election Day, but I don't want to take ANY chances on something going wrong that day. I am really looking forward to Tuesday night TV.  I wonder if we have any champagne?

Feeling Memish

37 things about me(cuz it's been so long you folks must have forgotten).

Borrowed from Beth.

1. Do you like blue cheese? No way!

2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes? Yep, for over 25 years EXCEPT when I was pregnant.  This November marks two years since I quit.  Still miss it.

3. Do you own a gun? Husband owns a pistol.  Currently I have in my custody a .22 rifle that is a loaner(for squirrel control).

4. What Kool Aid flavor was your favorite? Hate Kool aid, but might dye yarn with it.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not any more.  Have great doc been going to for 15 years.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? Love hot dogs, but feel guilty about it.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Scrooged with Bill Murray.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Diet Dr. Pepper.

9. Can you do push ups? Probably not, but I haven't tried.  Thought about it though, cuz of all the hype about 100 pushups, but lack any real motivation.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? a pair of pewter birdhouse earrings, a gift from my oldest daughter.

11. Favorite hobby? Knitting, duh, but not the only one.

12. Do you have A.D.D.?  It has never been diagnosed.  My husband is NOT a physician, so it really doesn't matter what he thinks.

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Yes, bifocals, used to wear contacts, can't anymore - too many visual deficiencies.

14. Middle name? Ann

15. Name three thoughts at this exact moment? 1. So tired 2. Really should be sitting in the Living room and enjoying my husband's channel surfing company. 3. Where are my plumbing tools?

16. Name three drinks you drink regularly. Diet Dr Pepper, Dos Equis, Diet Dr Pepper.

17. Current worry? I weigh too much.

18. Current hate right now? Politics.

19. Favorite place to be? outside, when it's not cold.

20. How did you bring in the New Year? As usual, at home probably asleep?

21. Where would you like to go? China

22. Name three people who will complete this? Couldn't say.

23. Do you own slippers? Yes, they are sheepskin, only wear in winter.

24. What shirt are you wearing? "BrOwse me" t shirt I got for free at the Opera booth at SXSWi last year.  First time I've worn it.

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Doughtful - though I don't know - only %100 cotton or cotton flannel.

26. Can you whistle? Yes, but struggle with the Andy Griffin theme.

27. Favorite color? greens blues and browns and cranberry.

28. Would you be a pirate? Nah, I get a little sea sick.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? none.

30. Favorite girls name? Tula

31. Favorite boys name? Dirk (silly questions)

32. What's in your pocket right now? $14.32 cash, grocery reciept, gas reciept, lottery ticket for tonight (crossing fingers) and a business card from someone I met today.

33. Last thing that made you laugh?  Husband trying to convince me to stop doing this and watch a show about body language.

34. What vehicle do you drive? 1998 Subaru Legacy.

35. Worst injury you ever had? Broken ribs - bastard ex-husband.

36. Do you love where you live? I love Texas, I am content in my current house for now.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 3 - sometimes they are all on at the same time.

Okay, now that that's done, perhaps I'll try a real post in a day or so. 

10 Years...in a row!

October 11, 1998 Tom and I were married in our back yard in Seguin, Texas, by the local Justice of the Peace.  Surrounded by our friends and family, it wasn't a flashy affair, but it was a lovely day and we were happy to share it with those we love.  I'd do it all again. 

Retail Therapy - Okay, Wish Therapy

What better way to survive the crashing stock market and the complete abdication of responsibility of our biggest financial institutions than to indulge in a little retail therapy?  Well, 2 days before payday, I can't spend a dime, but here is a great way to window shop for a new bag and hey, they're having a give-away and why not you?  Or me?  I found one I like.

If outdoor equipment is more your style, this weekend is Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo.  That's where I'll be.  ALL weekend.  It's a long weekend but it's a great party that we throw and if you are in Central Texas and have kids, you must come some time during the 2 day event.  Did I mention it's FREE?  Just bring money for food, sunscreen, maybe a hat and a camera cuz you won't believe all the fun stuff there is for your kids to try.  Look for me.  I am still trying to wrangle a Blackberry or iphone in order to twitter the whole event. 

PTA has kept me really busy, but I am hoping to get to Kid N Ewe in November.  Anyone else going?  Maybe we can have a small gathering, I don't think I can handle organizing something big.  I am starting to get some serious sweater fever - need new ones - have yarn, need time.  Now need rest, busy week, this one.

Taken to Task

I really haven't had a lot of time to blog lately.  The busy time of year at work AND I just had to volunteer to be the PTA Fundraising chair this year.  I cannot believe nobody warned me about this.  Ya know how sometimes you don't feel like blogging about knitting in particular, but something happens in the world that motivates you to post something to your blog and that urge is completely overwhelming and maybe not that well thought out?  Has it ever happened to you?  It happened to me.  And honestly I have been too busy to go back and try and make some sense of it all.  Well, then along comes a commenter who gets all bent out of shape about your position on say, Sarah Palin and they go off on you in the comments.  Well, I've been blogging for a while now and found it somewhat remarkable how civil almost ALL of my encounters have been with knitbloggers.  But I guess no community is free from those who think it's okay to come take a shit in your backyard, just because there's no fence around it and after all you have a dog.  Well, it IS my blog and I can say any thing I damn well please that does not cross legal bounderies AND considering how bad a mouth I have in person, I spare my blog visitors most of the time.  But I don't really care if someone who doesn't like my politics says they won't return to my blog again.  It's not like they have really engaged me before.  Or linked to me.  And as far as I know, this was her first visit. 

It's true that i should probably have made my edits to my last post more obvious, but I haven't had time and since I have all but stopped blogging since the spring, I don't have a lot of regular visitors anymore in the first place.  But it's true that the book list I published in the previous post was debunked by Snopes and has been passed all around the internets as a viral hoax, but forget the list - my original sentiment remains steadfast and potent.  If John McCain and Sarah Palin prevail in the upcoming election, we stand to lose more than anyone can imagine.  Have you read The Handmaid's Tale? Well, I can see it happening and all we have to do is be scared enough and gullible enough to pull the lever for the old white man and his idiot cheerleader and do it in the name of god, that's what they're counting on.  Don't like my politics, feel free to use the back button.  I don't have a problem with evangelicals.  I have a problem with anyone who tries to tell me, on my blog, I don't have a right to my opinions, or my voice or my lifestyle or anything else that our constitution guarantees all of us.  Even in a time of war.  Even in a time of financial crisis.  

I read an article the other day which gave me pause.  I had not heard of "White Privalege" before, but my husband had, he is far more widely and better read than I.  The premise to me is awful.  I thought we had come farther, but apparently not and even though I consider myself to be color-blind, I had to admit when I understood it that I had and perhaps still do benefit from it unknowingly.  I felt ashamed and yet, had no idea what to do about it.  Tom says he thinks we won't be past it till the generations who remember the civil rights movement are gone.  Young people do seem to be much more free of prejudice, I observed.  Tom said racism is learned behavior and that since it's not part of our laws anymore or part of our curriculum, the most likely place that kids get racism now is from their families. 

Where I am going with all of this is, well, in case you hadn't figured it out yet, I like Obama in the upcoming presidential election.  I think he's the most intelligent candidate we have had in maybe my lifetime.  I think he has tremendous integrity.  I am concerned that White Privilege might cost him the election and it makes me feel angry and helpless.  I am afraid that people can say "he seems sketchy to me" or "what do we really know about him" and get away with that being a sufficient reason to vote for McCain.  At least be honest.  If you want to know Obama, it's easy, read about him, listen to him, but don't act like we don't know this man who has been running for president for 2 damn years.  If you're white, think about your reasons.  Think about your background.  Think about the tapes from your youth, your past.  What really informs your decision?  Reason?  Or something else?  Because we really are overdue for some reason coming from our next president.

Anyone else want to tear me up?  Feel free - I only delete spam.