Isn't It Ironic

Okay, now I have that song stuck in my head... ugh, it's going to be one of those days. You see, today is Saturday. I know what you're thinking and yes, we aren't going to be doing much of anything today but that isn't the point of this post... no, the point of this post is about how ironic that I can't get Hobbit up during the week but on Saturday mornings she is up an entire hour earlier than usual.

Now ever since school started two weeks ago, Hobbit has been singing the praises of Saturday and how she will be able to sleep in... and yet, here we are at the butt crack of dawn watching Playhouse Disney with our Fruit Loops. What happened to sleeping in?

Typical weekday morning is met with grumbles and groans. Typical weekday afternoon is met with whining and tiredness. Logically speaking, you would think I would have to march up there around 9 or 10 in the morning on Saturdays to wake children up... but that is not the case at all. Instead, Hobbit is wandering downstairs before I have even pondered what creamer to put in my coffee... to make matters worse, she's 'chipper' which, to those of us who require a warming up period to the day, is rather annoying.

I think it's only fair that when she becomes one of those sleepy teenagers that refuse to get out of bed, I go in to her room and return the favor... after my first cup of coffee of course.

So You See... Well, I Just Had To...

I had to go and have blood work done this morning and I didn't really have a 'no brainer portable project' on my needles... what was I gonna do in the waiting room?!?! So I printed out my Retro Stocking Knit Cap, put it in it's protective geek sleeve, cast on my 112 stitches (called for 96 but Peanut has a big head... lol... she said that the last hat I made was too tight so I upped it in increments of 8... plus the 2x2 ribbing will keep it snug) and shoved it in one of my super cool canvas totes - Hats4Heroes.org one actually.

Anywho... all the while I'm doing this my sweet angel of a hubby is looking at me with his head cocked to the side and a look of complete wonderment across his face. I asked him what was up and he said, very sweetly, "I'm trying to figure out why you're starting another project. You've got that really complicated one in pink. You've got that one that's going to be complicated in fluffy reds and pinks. I'm guessing you want one that you don't have think about but I'm not sure." Isn't he precious... lol. I smiled at him and explained that I needed something to do in the doctor's office or waiting in the car line that I could stop at any minute and with this project being in the round, I could do just that - he chimed in with "if you stop in the middle of a row, you'll get a hole, okay" - so this hat was going to be my carry along project for the very reasons that he worked out.

Pokey turned to go back to the kitchen for more coffee (cruel when you think about since I had to wait for my first cup until I got home) and he looked very proud... then I heard him mumble, "I'm getting pretty good at this knitting stuff"... that's my baby.

So you see... well, I just had to start another project... LOL.

It's A...

and it couldn't come at a better time... Hobbit is working my last nerve and Peanut has become more zombie-like than usual for a teenager... get them out of the house... let us all rejoice in the morning when we hear the school bell ring!

Orientation Day!

Oh my goodness, it is Hobbit's orientation day for Kindergarten and she is so excited. She woke up and hollered down the stairs "Mama, is today a Kindergarten day?", to which I responded with a resounding yes - then the true Hobbit shone through ~ "Mama, should I wear the butterflies or the Hello Kitty?".

Hobbit is such a fashionista and I adore her for it. Her outfits speak so clearly towards her moods that it is uncanny. She's excited today so we are debating on weather to don our bright rainbow colored and sparkly outfit or if we should wear our shocking hot pink and black ensemble. Since I got a vote, as did her father, the butterflies will be fluttering to orientation today because I think the Hello Kitty outfit is going to make the perfect back to school statement (or I guess it would be simply 'to school' since she's never been before) with the hot pink and black contrast and her sparkling hot pink sneakers (and yes, I do wish those shoes came in my size - and double yes, I would own a pair).

The confidence level that Hobbit finds in her clothing is amazing. The old adage of "If you look good, you feel good" is so very true with her... and she is looking amazing today.

Insulting Beyond Belief

I have this "friend". He was a true friend of mine when I was a Disney cast member. He was always sweet, understanding, supportive and jovial. Lately, he has been going through some tough times (separation from wife, loss of job, attempts at dating) and apparently he feels that I have not been around for him. He even sent me an email that stated how he 'got the message'... and what message might that be exactly?

I'm sorry but just because my 'title' says "Stay At Home" doesn't mean that that is what I do - quite the contrary to be sure! Between endless errands and appointments, play dates and outings - you better believe that home is the last place I am on a regular basis.

To send such a message without thought is ridiculous. I am sorry that my friend's life is not the way that he wishes it would be right now. I am sorry that our schedules don't coincide for ease of communication but to jump off the deep end and make the thinly veiled accusation that I am somehow behaving like a middle school child is out of line.

I apologize for not being at your beck and call dear friend but you can take comfort in knowing that you will not have to worry with my apparent inconsiderate ways any longer. I have enough children to raise - I don't need any more and it is obvious that you have no respect for me and what I do... so I wish you well in all you do but please note that I have a life and it requires attention... sorry if it doesn't fit in your single bachelorhood kid-free schedule.

Heaven Help Me... Seriously!

Hobbit is my test from Heaven above. She was given to me to teach me patience, understanding and temperance. She is what some would call "a precocious child" ~ personal, I will call her a mouthy, stubborn and opinionated child.

Now I know some are probably up in arms over this opening paragraph but if you knew Hobbit, you would be in agreement. Everything is an argument. She will learn your buttons and soon play Beethoven's 5th Symphony on them. She will work you down to your last nerve and then jump rope with it. Hobbit has these gifts and she uses them to their fullest extent on everyone she encounters.

I love her, I honestly do, but I am so tired of feeling like a horrible person because she has worn me down. By the end of the day, my throat is raw because she has taken to throwing a fit over some ridiculously mundane detail that the only way to be heard over her is to holler above her. My head is in a constant state of aching, my nerves are taunt and my attitude is rubbish. In short, I believe that I have somehow spawned the actual 'Rosemary's Baby' just over five years ago.

As a baby, she was so sweet. Hobbit had the best disposition and was always loving. This horrid change seems to have happened somewhere around 18 months. The supposed "terrible twos" have been hanging on to become the "threatening threes", the "ferocious fours" and now the "feisty fives"... I don't even want to think about what could happen at six.

Hobbit was even accepted, based off of a written request by her loving mother, as a child to appear on "SuperNanny"... pride got in the way of that one because I really think that JoJo could have helped. As it stands now, I have somehow raised a brat. I have done nothing different in raising Hobbit as I did in raising Peanut so I don't know what went wrong.

Peanut is a sweet, quiet, gentle, well mannered child. She is considerate of others, cares about people's feelings before her own and will bend over backwards to make others happy. I know that all children are different and I don't want Hobbit to be a clone of Peanut but it would be nice if she was... well... nice.

This entry is more of a rant caused by a seriously bad afternoon. I do love Hobbit and there are times when she lights up my world - lately though, she has been the darkness instead and I am simply worn out. Heaven help me... seriously.

Keeping Me In Stitches

I was just sitting here thinking about all my favorite places to get knitting patterns. I had posted the topic on my CafeMom group, Nutty Knitters. I shared how I generally get my patterns from Ravelry but if I wanted to put my hands on a tangible book then I would go to JoAnn or BooksAMillion.

I realized after I made my post that I left two really important sources - Debbie Macomber and Kate Jacobs. I adore these women. They write wonderful novels and incorporate the love of knitting into them. There is intrigue, romance, humor ~ all woven together with knitting. These are some very talented ladies who also honor us with the patterns in each of their books as well.

Generally, there is one pattern and one recipe in each of Kate Jacobs' novels. Debbie also gives you one pattern in her novel but she goes a step further. Debbie gives you complete pattern books that cover all the projects in her novels. It is wonderful to create the same beautiful pieces that you read about... I know I have made several and her patterns are so well written than you just can not mess them up!

I just wanted to pay tribute to two very talented women that keep me in stitches - in more ways than one.

Kindergarten Camp and Senior Suite Tomorrow!

We've got to go back to school - at least for
the morning so that Peanut can get her class
schedule and Hobbit can go to her much
awaited Kindergarten Camp.

I'll update y'all after we go but in the
meantime - wish us luck!

It's Sad - It's Necessary - It's Been Fun While It Lasted

I had to make a really tough decision today. Why are the ones that hurt the most always the ones we drag on to the longest? I have to pause my charity operations indefinitely and it breaks my heart. I founded Hats4Heroes.org back at the close of 2008 and it was wonderful. Our mission was clear - send warmth and wishes to our brave men and women in the Armed Forces. I worked for months to get guidelines and approval - I was even granted permission to ship to one of the best military hospitals in the world. Sadly, with this economy, our shipping donations dried up quickly. We tried to do it on our own but then what little pocket money we had was spent as well. Donations of items never slowed down, just donations of funds.

When we started averaging 100 items a week but only $5 for shipping, we knew we were in trouble. We tried suggesting that instead of purchasing yarn and shipping items, that they all donate that amount to the shipping fund - it would have been roughly $10 per person and with almost 1,000 members we were hoping to get our account back up but no such luck. All of these things left me with no other choice than to pause operations until further notice. This is the letter I had to send out view three different mediums to all of the members - and it breaks my heart...

"I have done all I can in order to keep Hats4Heroes.org alive and running. I am sorry to say that we will be going on hiatus until further notice due to lack of shipping funds to get out our backlog of items.

Please do not send any more items until further notice. We are hoping that this situation will be rectified by no later than the end of the year - fingers crossed. Since we are having to foot the shipping bill ourselves, it will be slow going but I am sure one day we will have it all out and will be able to restart operations.

Thank you to those of you who were able to make a donation. We truly appreciate all of your efforts. Good luck and God bless each and every one of you. We, as a group, have done all we can. Now it is time to halt operations. We knew that this day might come and it is actually here. I think almost 2 years is a great run - more than I could have ever hoped for really. So thank you all for helping me realize a dream. I appreciate it so very much."

Hopefully we will be able to work on getting the backlog of items out of the garage and into the hands of our soldiers so our operations can begin again. I just can't continue stock piling items that we are unable to ship in good conscious - it isn't fair to the crafters and it isn't fair to the soldiers. I just pray we are able to be up and running again soon - I love my charity.

Bullying - Some Never Grow Up

In one group on CafeMom I created this post - it was removed because it was "too heated". I put it up for a purpose - there are bullies in that group... and they shroud themselves in the cloak of Christianity. It is disgusting. This HTTS (Holier Than Thou Society) even have a 'hit list' of people that they are working on getting banned because they challenge their perspective with logical thinking. I was so annoyed at the the blatant display of favoritism that I actually left that group yesterday. Here is the post for all to read - heated or not - it needs to be shared. I have seen it from both children and adults... it just needs to stop.
I did a bit of research on bullying and learned some interesting things that I thought I would share with everyone.

Bullying, unlike constructive criticism or a simple conflict, is a constant challenge that focuses directly on a person. The target of these bullies generally feels as though they do not have the power or ability to stop it - this feeling stems from the fact that not only is bullying difficult to explain or stop as an adult, it is even more difficult to have to suffer through it on a daily basis. These feelings of despair arise due to the fact that most adult bullying is subtle and often backhanded in nature.

Here are a few signs of bullying - they could be isolated instances or an ongoing pattern:

• Being given the “silent treatment”
• Being treated rudely or disrespectfully
• Refusing to help when you ask
• Spreading rumors about you that aren’t true
• Being yelled or shouted at
• Receiving put-downs about your intelligence or competence
• Your communications are ignored
• Your contributions are ignored
• Someone interferes with or sabotages your efforts
  
• Being lied to or about
  
• Being accused of making a mistake on purpose
• The bully throws a temper tantrum when you disagree with him
• Being put down in front of others

Bullying is not a right that anyone has and it has some serious negative effects on people - both physically and emotionally. It doesn't matter how old you are because bullying knows no age limit. Bullying isn't always direct and physical, plus the type of indirect bullying listed above is statistically more harmful.

One may feel less responsible because they bully in a group or through the anonymity of the internet but that is simply not true. Those that feel the need to boost their self esteem and supposed social standing through the manipulation and humiliation of others are simply bullies... and bullies have no place in society.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE

3 Weeks... It'll Take 3 Weeks

Our house went smoke free this week... Saturday, July 24th to be exact. I had posted earlier that I was reading that book by Mr. Carr - yeah, it was alright but a bit too high and mighty for me and I'll explain why.





I am an ex-smoker and yet I do not hold these qualities to I have to figure out how it happens but it seems as though when some people quit, they get so pious towards people who smoke that it is disgusting. How is that supposed to help anyone? I don't have pity on people who smoke. I don't say insulting things to them, spout off stupid statistics or anything like that at all. I didn't want to hear it when I smoked and therefore I know there must be others who don't want to hear it either, right?

Scare tactics don't work on all smokers - it actually has the opposite effect as intended. Some people continue to smoke out of defiance of the 'statistics'... I know that was part of it for me. The more people harped on me to quit, the more I smoked. When people left me alone about it, I would try because I wanted to... not because I was being pressured to do it.

Here is a secret that I'll share - I was diagnosed with Asthma not long after Hobbit was born. I had a severe attack and was taken to the hospital by my father. They administered three breathing treatments before it got under control and I was allowed to leave. Since then I have been under the care of a fabulous pulmonologist whom I adore... and I didn't stop smoking immediately. I continued to smoke for a very long time afterward - for a variety of reasons that are unique unto me... and whether or not people knew, they let me have my illusion.

My husband smoked - a lot more than I ever did, even on a bad day - and he was getting harped on by people. Not from me because I know I hate to have the HTTS (Holier Than Thou Society) yapping in my ears. It is a personal decision that everyone comes to in their own time and nothing anyone says can change that fact. Pokey decided to quit and the only concrete thing we learned is that it will take 3 weeks for the nicotine to completely leave your body and for cravings to stop.

3 weeks... 21 days... only 16 more to go.

Thursday...

I can't wait for Thursday. It is going to take longer than the duration from Christmas Eve good nights until Christmas good mornings to get here but I can't wait! I have waited over 7 weeks for Thursday and it's finally here. Wait, what's Thursday you ask... Peanut and Hobbit come home!!

Peanut and Hobbit have been gone since the day after school let out this summer. They have been visiting their grandparents who live 1100 miles away. It is a 2 day drive to get there so I knew that they were going to stay for a goodly amount of time but I have no idea how we came to the agreement of 7 whole weeks... but I digress.

We have so much to do once they get home - Peanut needs to go and get set up for her Senior Year whilst Hobbit needs to go and get set up for Kindergarten and those two years are monumental as anyone who has been through them can attest.

I can't even begin to fathom how big they have gotten and how much they have changed over this summer. There were so many things that I have missed - not epic moments but moments nonetheless. I know that we talked on the phone several times a day and Skyped (yeah, that is now a word... like 'googled') as well but it's not the same as being there. I couldn't just scoop them up and hug them whenever I wanted. I couldn't look over and watch them being sweet to one another or playing beautifully by themselves.

Oh I know, I'm waxing nostalgic and within a week there will be fits and tears and I'll be wishing I could run away from home at some point with my hobo bag on a stick but for now, they are perfect angels and I can't wait for them to come home!

Nightly Rain

I thought I would share since we have officially entered the rainy season.

Back To My Previously Scheduled Knitting

Now that I have completed Buford III and LoriJean's Wrap, I am back to working on Peanut's Capelet. I had hoped to have it done for her before she got home but I'm not sure that will be a reality at this point... I have 3 days.

I love this capelet and the yarn is so deliciously soft and silky. My mother called to tell me about the clothes each of the girls got for the upcoming school year. Peanut's sounds more mature and grown up while Hobbit's sound just as they should for someone her age - cute.

Oh well, back to work... you know what they say about idle fingers and all. I'll post some progress pictures along the way since I am most definite that I don't have to be secretive... no child reads their mother's blog... and sometimes that is a very good thing.

Happy Birthday Buford III

Date: 25 July 2010
Time: 14:03
Name: Buford III

It is with a great sense of pride and honor that I would like to announce that Buford III has come to life. He has traveled a great distance to be here and he must travel a bit more to get to his boy Jack.

Buford is currently writing Jack a note but just prior to hopping off to the dining room table to compose, he sat like the wonderful bunny he is for a few photos.

So please, come and meet Buford III who can't wait to set off on grand adventures with his boy, Jack.

Knitting is Therapeutic

That is a very true statement - at least for me. Knitting is very therapeutic. I have used it to take my mind off a variety of different things and I always wondered why other people don't do the same. You hear people all the time talking about how stressful 'such and such' a thing is - and I always want to reply with "so knit"... seriously.

Knitting has helped me to quit smoking, lower my blood pressure, lose weight and relieve stress. Those are just the top four things I could think of at this moment in time. If you asked me on a different day, I would give different answers.

Now, I was curious if I was simply a sheer genius or if there were others who share my theory on knitting being therapeutic so I did what any highly educated and intelligent person would do - I 'googled' it! Do you know what I found out... I am not the only one who thinks this way and large studies have been done regarding just this topic! There is even a site entitled "Stitchlinks" which is dedicated to quotes from every day people who want to share the benefits with others.

So the next time you are feeling frazzled, just sit down and play with a ball of yarn and a couple of sticks... you'll be glad you did!

LoriJean's Wrap - Completed

I finished LoriJean's Wrap this morning and she seemed truly surprised to receive it... which truly surprised me. I felt sure that she figured out what I was doing since I am really bad it being coy. I was so glad that she appreciated it.

Here are a few photos of the completed item. It was made out of the softest yarn and the colors complimented her skin tone and hair perfectly. I forgot to take my camera to lunch but I did remember to do a small 'photo shoot' prior to wrapping it up and dashing out the door to lunch.

The photos are in the following order ~ the front draped over the arm of the chair, the back view of the wrap draped over the chair, detailed view of side edge and then the detailed view of the top finished edge.

All in all, I am really pleased with how it turned out. I hope that LoriJean gets many years of warmth out of it and every time she wraps it around her shoulders, she smiles with memories of a wonderful afternoon.

Ladies Who Lunch

I just got back from the most wonderful afternoon with my dear friend, LoriJean. I hadn't seen her in years even though we only live about 30 minutes from one another. It was so nice to sit down over lunch and catch up on everything from work to kids to husbands/significant others and ourselves.

There is a phrase that I had heard a long time ago and it made me giggle - Ladies who Lunch. I always thought of it as such a pompous thing. Hoity toity women sitting around picking at over priced, under portioned food making nice with each other when in reality they despise one another and are only there because of some odd sense of duty. You see it in movies all the time. It's is rather ridiculous in that sense.

Today it dawned on me that I have become a "lady who lunch"s but in a completely different manner. I sit around and pick at reasonably price, over portioned food catching up with people I adore because I have truly missed their company. Time gets lost (we literally were there for 3 hours!) and life's beautiful stories get replayed for the enjoyment of all involved.

Being considered one of those ladies who lunch is a pretty sweet gig... if you do it right.

Procrastination... My Nemesis

Yes, you read that correctly... procrastination is my nemesis. I don't mean to do it, I honestly don't ever consciously feel myself do it and yet here I am at a quarter of four in the afternoon and I have yet to pick up my knitting.

Granted, I do love the thrill of beating a deadline but why do I push myself to be in such a situation. It would make more logical sense to just sit down and knit. I love knitting, it keeps me sane. I don't find it to be a chore or anything and yet, I'm here with my computer on my lap writing... oh don't feel badly, earlier I was fiddle farting around in my forums.

I shroud the procrastination in such lovely disguises as 'waking up' but we all know what it is - putting things off because something else give the allure of being more appealing and then guilt slowly sets in.

Oh procrastination, you are my nemesis and I will defeat you... just not today.

Knitting "Glee"fully

I'm sitting here watching my DVR'd episodes of Glee while I work on LoriJean's Wrap. I am coming to the painful conclusion that I might not get it done in time. Some modifications might be in order... either that or not take it to her when we have lunch on Friday.

I really wanted to get it done and surprise her - I think she will love it. I've got 11" completed. The average wrap length is 5' from wrist to wrist so that means that I am just about 4' short... that is a LOT of knitting.

Perhaps I can do a modification of my own pattern and when I get to 3', I can add a decorative button for closure at the end. I don't know - all I know is that I should probably wrap this up and work LoriJean's Wrap instead. Finger's crossed.