Kari's Corner

The last two...

2012-01-23T10:21:00.001-06:00

The boys have been asking for those plastic blocks molds to make igloos. Actually I mentioned them a while back and now that we have some snow they want them. So yesterday, I went to the local Ace Hardware to pick them up. Guess what? They didn't have any... I was hoping they would.

You see I am spoiled by an Ace in one of the towns that I teach in. It has everything, if you can't find it at Ace in Sauk Prairie, you don't need it - really you don't. I love that store. It has everything except grocery items - if you don't count candy, chips and soda - which they do have.

So this morning in our wonderful Wisconsin weather BECAUSE I had a two hour delay AND I love my children - read I really don't want to listen to them whine.

I GOT THE LAST TWO ON THE SHELF!!!!!!!

They are going to be SO excited tonight when they get home from school!

Just a little prickly

2012-01-11T15:32:00.000-06:00

The oldest is a bit prickly right now. Homework issues.

We had a little reprieve after Christmas and now the honeymoon is over. We are back to shouting (him) and me trying to soothe him and move him along. He complains that he never gets any free time. And truthfully, sometimes it feels like that even for me.

We are going to start something new next week. Hopefully that will help his self-esteem and the mood of our house. I'm not sure how much more yelling I can take...

Just for a little bit

2012-01-08T16:50:00.001-06:00

Today for a little bit, our house had a very peaceful vibe. Kal was studying and I was sewing (between lots of laundry). The boys were grounded from all electronics SO they were making due with legos, blocks, and their imaginations. It was nice.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T09:28:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas

from our house to yours.

I hope you get to enjoy time with family, friends, and yourself.

Cheers to the new year!

30 days????

2011-12-23T09:24:00.000-06:00

Two birthdays, a cool pottery wheel, cookie decorating, two more concerts, visiting, crafting.... What have you been up to the last month?

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T06:51:00.001-06:00

I truly am thankful for my family and friends. They bring me great joy and happiness - along with craziness and a few tears.

Day off

2011-11-23T10:18:00.001-06:00

Today the boys have off of school. We are going to walk done to the library...when I can motivate myself to take a shower. I don't think the medusa hair is appropriate for outside the house. I went away last weekend with my mom. I had a totally fun and selfish weekend quilting. All of the ladies around me were sewing/quilting for others. I sewed away on projects that I had started and only started one new on. AND they were all for me! It was so nice just to sit and sew. The weekend went so fast! Before I knew it, it was Sunday and time to go home. Hope all is well with you,kari

Someone had a birthday...

2011-10-23T10:03:00.000-05:00

Ian turned 9 on Friday. Oh my, you would have thought it was Christmas. He was up about every 45 minutes the morning of the big day to see if it was time to get up yet. Finally I said to him,"Don't ask me again until it is 6:00!" Birthday presents you know.

He got a welding helmet from one set of grandparents and he wore it during his friend party to protect himself from evil forces. From the other set of grandparents he got a wallet with some money. Saturday morning by 9:15 the money was spent on an action figure.

The friend party was a SUCCESS! We had an old school party - you may remember the kind... Ian got to invite a few friends over (5) for pizza and movies in the rec room. They ate pizza, then went outside with the assorted nerf arsenal and had a grand time. They came in way after dark and "watched" a movie. Two friends were able to spend the night, so there were giggles until around 11:15. Way past my bedtime.

Isn't this the cutest darn thing? I love it - makes me almost want another baby to put it on. Then again I can donate it and someone else can put it on their baby. Seriously it is precious cute - Kal even said so and knitting does not jazz him one bit!

Really... a whole month???

2011-10-19T14:16:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that I haven't posted in a month. It has been so busy at our house with family stuff and after work hours work.

Ian and I tested for the next level in karate. Ian did get his blue belt with some stipulations. He wants to add a few extra classes so that he can wear the blue belt to class soon. I am now a green belt. I had to do my test all by myself with 3 black belts watching. It was a bit unnerving, but it went well.

Teleportation

2011-09-20T18:59:00.002-05:00

I'm waiting for apple to create a teleportation app. I think it would be perfect for many people, especially me. I wouldn't waste all of this time in the car driving from one place to another. Then wait to see the student. Touch the icon and zip, I would be at my next spot. If there was extra time, I could zip over to friends houses for a quick visit.... then back to work.....I haven't decided if I would wait a bit to see if they had all of the kinks worked out, I might be part of the pilot program.....

On other fronts, I got a really nice apron for my heart swap item from Irina. It is a beautiful linen plaid. I don't have a picture because I can't get my camera to take any pictures that aren't close up. The shutter won't even engage when I try to take a picture that isn't within 4 feet. It will work on manual, but not automatic. Any suggestions??? I tried to set it back to factory presets, but couldn't get it to work....

I also completed some knitted newborn hats and table runner - no pictures though because I am a bit p*&sed at my digital slr camera right now and am refusing to take close up pictures too JUST out of principle!

I know, I know...let it go Kari....it's really not worth it...seriously...it's not...breathe....breathe....

Oh the picture up top? It's from our vacation in Rapid City, SD. It was a cool little hobby shop for "boys". Lots of remote control vehicles and train sets. I really liked the sign.

Oh well.....

2011-09-15T10:32:00.001-05:00

My day has been kind of topsy turvy today. When I woke up I had one plan and it has been changing about every 30 minutes. It will probably change before I finish this post.

So here was my first plan...Today when I arrived at my first school, I was going to go for a walk. I already knew that the first student I was to see was absent. Yesterday one of my co-workers told me about this 2 mile walk that she and another lady do during their lunch time. Ahh, I thought to myself. I can get my exercise in and be ready to see the second student I see in that building. I was HOWEVER 6.5 miles from home when my cell phone rang. Ian had lost part of a filling, would I please come to school and check it out. On my way back home to check on the oldest, I got a phone call from a different person and she told me that I didn't need to come to that school at all because the student I was supposed to see was testing.

Ohhh, my mind went wild with delight. What you may not realize is that not going to that school saves me about a 210 mile round trip and a half day of travel and teaching. I had PLANS! I was going to take Ian to the dentist, go to the bank, take a walk, then get supper started so that we wouldn't have an excuse not to go to karate tonight! Of course, I had all of this figured out before I took the off-ramp to our town.

I arrived at school and saw the tooth and immediately called the dentist. It was a huge hunk of filling. I was disconnected and when they called back they wanted to know what tooth it was - didn't ask that - had to hang up and walk down to the classroom where my son was messing around with a giant globe while others watched him. Found out which tooth, called them back and was on hold for 15 minutes. When they finally got back to me, they told me that he couldn't be seen until Monday at 10:15. My mind was yelling,"What??? I have plans!!!" My mouth said,"Monday at 10:15? Ok." So, I went back inside to tell Ian (did I mention that I had to stand outside for that time on hold because there is no cell reception in the school? It was 36 degrees.) and he was upset because he thought he wasn't going to be able to eat tacos today at lunch. "No problem with the tacos, just don't eat anything sticky. NO gum or jelly candies!"

So I decided to go to the office.....and here I am until I get into my car in a few minutes and drive to my afternoon school.

Lucky for me it's a nice day for a drive!

Have a good day everybody.

Missing

2011-09-15T05:54:00.001-05:00

My leather thimble is missing. It looks like this - the natural fit one. It is a size medium and broke in to fit the naughty finger on my left hand. IF you find it or come across it somewhere, please let me know. I really don't like the rubber or metal one that I have to use right now.

::reality check::

2011-09-07T16:50:00.004-05:00

Eating corn on the cob is even MORE delicious when you have to work a little harder.....

especially when you don't have any front teeth!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-07T16:44:00.000-05:00

::reality check::

2011-08-30T18:16:00.004-05:00

This is where I spend the majority of my time from September 1st to mid June. It's not too bad. I have heated seats and a 6 disc cd player, so I'm set to listen to books on tape - wait I mean cd. I get out several times a day to go into schools and work with students. I get to see the country side and experience the weather first hand.

Today was my first "real" day in the car and I wasn't prepared... no books, printed or otherwise, no knitting, no gum. Well, I fixed that after work tonight.

OH and I had my lunch eaten by 9:00! Not good people not good. I ate breakfast at 7:00. I just want to let you know that I didn't stop and get a "snack" later in the day. I was strong!

And here's a totally random reality check: My Ian is growing up. Tonight at backpack night, I kept smelling something - b.o. something. I must have looked like a freak smelling at myself at random moments. Random moments when Ian was standing next to me.... hmmmm. When we got home, I asked Ian if his underarms smelled AND the little bugger comes up to me and puts his pit right on my nose. Jeesh, it was him. My soon to be 9 year old needs deodorant.

::I have seen "reality check" on various blogs lately. I plan on playing along on a weekly basis. While the post may seem mundane, it is my reality at any given moment and I am grateful for being there.

Kick-a-thon

2011-08-24T19:05:00.007-05:00

We raised $5,621.47.

Tonight was the kick-a-thon for Our Military Kids at our karate school. Ian and I had a blast.

See the middle of the board is popping out.

That's the center of my board between his elbows.

This was such a cool experience - one of total focus, power and control! I can't tell you how I feel right now. It's kind of unexplainable. Though I am a bit jealous - the boys are going out for ice cream with gma and gpa tonight on their way back to Armstrong.

This moment in time

2011-08-19T08:41:00.002-05:00

Knit night

2011-08-18T09:12:00.005-05:00

Most Monday nights, I meet with a few ladies from my church to knit. We started out making prayer shawls and branched out to afghans for our high school graduates, peace pals, and hats and scarves.

Mostly we meet to eat Isabel's cookies!

Isn't interesting how everyone holds the needles and yarn differently and comes up with the same product in the end.

I enjoy meeting with these ladies whose philosophies and lives are so different yet so much the same as mine.

I was just the photographer Monday night. I did not make any of the objects in the photos.

I want....

2011-08-16T16:41:00.003-05:00

I hear that a lot lately.

I want more legos. I want to go swimming. I want to go out for dinner. I want a new guitar amp. I want another dog. I want a cat. I want to go shopping for school supplies. I want some new man wash. I want an Itouch 2nd generation that I can talk into and make it go waka waka ?!?!? Huh?

I want I want I want.

You know what? There are some things that I want too....

I want to feel comfortable in my body. Yesterday, I was walking to karate and feeling really good about myself - where I am and where I am going THEN I saw my reflection and was shot to hell! I know what I need to do is a lot of work and I am slowly (very slowly) getting there.

I want to be present when my kids are talking. Ok they talk A LOT, maybe I need only be present 50% of the time they are talking. They have interesting things to say. They have deep thoughts and worries and I want to be there. Not worrying about what's for dinner or whatever the worry of the hour may be.

I want to not fight with my husband over stupid stuff. I'm getting tired of doing that.

I want a little peace in my life right now.

I want to sit with family and friends and laugh and smile....

Oh and I want my sewing machine to work the way it is supposed to when sit down to sew at it!

want, want, want....

ps I know there are lots of good things happening right now in my life, but I needed to vent a little bit.

enjoy

2011-08-13T08:32:00.002-05:00

Afternoon at the park

2011-08-12T17:56:00.004-05:00

We headed down the street to the park this afternoon. Ian was determined to find frogs and Simon was in charge of making a habitat. I was the pack mule - of course.

We had a ton of fun there for over two hours before I got a call saying the rain was coming and we needed to get home fast. Ian zoomed home on his bike with Simon following behind. I, however, being the pack mule got wet. Lucky for me the Mister came and got me.

Baking - easy bake style

2011-08-11T14:51:00.003-05:00

A couple of years ago, Simon asked for an Easy Bake Oven for Christmas. He pulls it out every so often to make something. Today was easy bake day at our house. Did you know that you can use regular cake mix in it?? I didn't until Ian asked me to look it up on the Internet and wa la there it was - easy peasy!

Rushmore

2011-08-02T09:32:00.003-05:00

black and red magic

2011-08-01T13:36:00.003-05:00

Today while the boys were at VBS I completed the top of the black and red magic. Now the back needs to be completed. When I was sewing it together, I wasn't sure if I liked it anymore (it's been in the stash for a while). Now that it is put together, I like it. The quilt is going to become my next hand-quilting project.

AND because I can - you may want to look away.... My finger is soooooo much better. I know it probably doesn't look better to any of you, but it feels great. It is still swollen and if it gets bumped it throbs a bit. Thanks urgent care doctor.

Oh my aching thumb

2011-07-28T08:34:00.005-05:00

See that? It's a piece of macaroni. Yes, macaroni under my fingernail AND it hurts like hell. I did it yesterday while doing the prior nights pots and pans. I sometimes don't do the pans until the next morning if the dishwasher is full. I know, it should be ingrained in me to do all of the dishes when they are made BUT I just don't. Sorry Mom.

Tylenol was not cutting the pain so I took an Aleve (calm down everyone - I already got the lecture about warfarin, blah, blah, blah) BUT it HURTS!!!!! And guess what? The Aleve isn't making it feel any better.

Roughlock Falls, SD

2011-07-26T18:34:00.005-05:00

I loved this place. The sound of the Falls was deafening and lovely at the same time - so peaceful. We played in the water above the falls. There were little rapids and calms (is there a such thing?) where the boys tried to catch fingerling trout.

The water was pins and needles cold and quickly turned our legs numb!

Slowly getting back to normal *

2011-07-26T18:02:00.002-05:00

We are back from a trip to the Badlands with my Mom and Dad. It was fun and we saw/did so much. The weather was good (HOT) - if you care to know.

I finally have all of the trip laundry complete and we are getting back to our summer schedule (very loose). AND I just want to stay home for a while crazy as that sounds. I need to become re-acquainted with my sewing machine, yarn, garden and some good books. Feel free to stop over, we'll probably be around.

I took over 600 pictures in 9 days - that's quite a few for me. I am slowly editing them - if I spend too much time on the computer, the boys get a little crazy and then there's yelling... and crying... and general bad feelings.

That being said, I am going to be posting mostly pictures the next few days (weeks).

* as normal as it gets for us!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-06T20:40:00.002-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-29T11:11:00.002-05:00

So I'm a big talker...

2011-06-27T14:38:00.002-05:00

I know I said that I would have this rug done by the weekend, but then I got cleaning the basement. I was trying to find the mystery smell. I worked on that room for 2 whole days - like real work days - 8:30 to 3:30 with a half hour lunch break. I'm still not sure that I found the smell, but I got rid of A LOT of crap and organized the rest! We can now walk around the rec room area without stepping on little bits and bobs.

My sewing room is also clean (it's in the basement). I really want to get down there and create, sew, quilt... I have 4 bow staff cases that I need to make tomorrow so I guess I will be down there for a bit. But that's not what I mean when I say I want to go down there and create.

Today after lunch, the boys painted airplanes and a boat. I think they had fun.

Simon sneaking some cookie batter from the empty bowl. I made a new recipe. It was a semi-homemade kind of thing with a cake mix, eggs, and flour. They were just meh. Ok, but meh. I probably won't make them again.

We baked a cake

2011-06-22T13:00:00.003-05:00

And it wasn't any one's birthday. Simon, my little baker, bakes some sort of sweet treat once a week - more often if I'm willing to be the assistant baker. Last week, we made chocolate chip cookies and gingerbread planes. We didn't get to each many of the planes because the dog got them. That was a sad moment.

This is the UFO of the week. It will be complete by Saturday... I have a goal this summer to finish up or move them on to someone who might want to finish them. I have sent some to goodwill. I have actually finished a few. BUT this one...I'm going to finish and put by the back door or by the kitchen sink. THEN I'm starting a new quilting project!

This little guy is growing his legs. No frog hunting today - it's raining again.

flowers and frogs

2011-06-16T15:18:00.004-05:00

I just got back from the park. The boys are still there and I'm learning to let go a bit. They do have walkie-talkies to connect with home because I am not getting the oldest a cell phone until middle school. As I walked away I got a bit nervous, but I have to trust them to do what is right, Right??

I let them go down to the park without me. I walked to the end of the street and down the trail to the park.

There are berry bushes galore on the trail. In a few weeks, I'm going back with a pail to get black berries. I wonder how many other people have spotted these beauties?

When I finally got to the park, they had caught a couple of frogs and some tadpoles.

Ok so the walkie-talkie is good in theory. I just had to walk back to the park (because I didn't think to take the car) the "help" Simon come home. He was not listening to Ian.

hmmm, I wonder how the rest of the evening will go.

Saturday fun

2011-06-13T13:08:00.003-05:00

A chilly morning made way to a better afternoon. What afternoon wouldn't be better with burning the Christmas tree and eating smores??

Well, for one, a boy could dress as a cowboy and try to lasso his brother!

Then, create a zipline from the lasso and give stuffed animals a ride.

Show off a missing tooth. It's a good look for a bandit!

Oh and those smores. We bought those "monster" marshmallows. The boys liked them. They also like to each the black charred sugar on the outside. My vote, go with the smaller marshmallows - they warm all the way through and melt the chocolate. Those big ones don't do that. They just get black. Really, really fast.

I'm stopping while I'm ahead (somewhat)

2011-06-10T09:47:00.006-05:00

I have am having brain power problems today. I have been wanting to make a square cloth box for a while. I've had the instructions and materials, so today I started. I cut out everything the way the instructions said to and when I went to sew them together, the pieces didn't fit. See that piece of black spotted material. That was the first try. It was my luck that the pattern really uses the amount of fabric it calls for NO overage. SO try #2 involved the cool dancing people, there were several attempts at that until I finally got it right.

I just stopped though because I sewed two parts together that don't belong together. I think I need to do something brainless today. I'm not firing on all cylinders and I can feel it. The problem is I don't have any brainless projects to do. All of them are at that point where brain power is needed.

This pattern is not that hard. I think it WILL be fun when I can get my brain to function properly.

During my crafting endeavor this morning, the boys have been downstairs watching a movie. They are covered in quilts. It's cold down there today. And before you ask, Simon does not have a black eye. When I was removing his "red eye", it became blue.

I'm off to search behind the couch for something to do that is already started. Hopefully I missed an easy one back there.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-08T13:26:00.002-05:00

Exercise

2011-06-07T09:20:00.004-05:00

Soooo, I've decided that running is not for me. I've done 2 5k's and for someone who isn't in the best of shape, I think I did ok. My big problem right now is finding motivation to do it ok - do ANYTHING and stick with it. The other night at karate, I felt like I was trying to move elephant legs around. Seriously, I do karate at least 3 times a week and I felt like crap.

I've dabbled in lots of exercise - biking, yoga, snowshoeing, hiking, karate, running.....but I tend to get sidetracked by other things. I used to go to the gym on a regular basis (daily - for at least an hour). But then I bought a house, got married, had kids.... After not going for 3 years (and paying the monthly fees), I cancelled my membership.

How do you get and stay motivated? I am jealous of my parents. They get up and walk every morning right now. Stephanie has been exercising, walking, and watching what she is eating and loosing lots of weight. Denise has also been working out.

I know I should exercise and watch what I am eating for my health, family, and me. I make time to read, craft, bake, BUT I don't seem to make consistent time to care for my body.

I'm open to suggestions...

Something new for me

2011-06-06T09:49:00.002-05:00

I have been working on my sayoran shawl again (no pics of course). It is over half way complete. AND yesterday I did something that I haven't done in ages. I tinked back 8 rows. I had made a mistake and thought I could live with it - you know - design element. The more I thought about it the more I thought that I would never wear it OR to be perfectly honest finish it IF I left that mistake in there. It was visible to me and anyone else who looked at it. After I got that part fixed I was sitting here inspecting my work and noticed ANOTHER mistake I made while doing the fix-it! That was an easier fix and I did it right away.

Maybe I need to go back to my locker-hooked rug I'm making.

Of course I am blaming all of this mistake making on the music that was playing - it was enough to incite the natives into craziness (and knitting mistakes too)!

the big reveal

2011-05-31T15:12:00.001-05:00

Blue quilt and tree climbing

2011-05-30T19:36:00.004-05:00

I started this quilt the weekend I went to Jones Mansion. It must have been a project that I needed to do because it was started this March and just completed. The pics are hot off the press.

The fabric was a collection of fat quarters that Mom bought for me in Hannibal, MO. That was some quilt shop. It was hard to pick, but I knew I had the perfect pattern for it. The pattern was Snapshots from the Happy Hour book. It was so easy and fun to do.

After it was pieced, I decided that I wanted to hand quilt it. The search for the right pearl cotton was on, but I couldn't find what I wanted. I "decided" on two different colors of a two ply quilting thread. The quilting is what I would call primitive. It's not going to win any prizes at the county fair (I was in 4H as a kid - can't help the fair analogies). The stitches are even, but a little big. I love the results.

Ian found that he can climb the tree in the backyard. First, he climbs the pine tree to get pitch on his hands (they work better when they are sticky). Then, he pulls himself up. He climbs up to the top. So far up that the tree kind of sways. It makes my heart flutter a bit, but he does come down a few branches when I ask him.

***I'll try for the pics tomorrow, blogger is not being helpful.

The fort

2011-05-16T20:55:00.003-05:00

The boys have been working on this fort a while. It is up at the "vacation house", a place that some friends own but generously let us use. The boys think it is heaven up there because they get to go outside without adult supervision (well less adult supervision) and explore, build and be boys.

Last spring (my gosh - a year ago) they started their fort. It is built of sticks and brush and what ever they have hauled into this wind row of trees. When we were there on Easter weekend, we cleaned up branches from a huge tree that was cut down. As the yard became cleaner, the fort grew. It's now about 8 or 9 feet tall (maybe higher) and about 15 feet long. Inside they have various rooms, but the "best part" is an observation deck. It's a hole in the roof that they climb up and through to sit on top and look for wild animals and bad guys.

They would really like to spend the night out there because their cousin, Callum (an eagle scout) told them that it was pretty weather proof and would probably be warm enough if they slept on plastic to keep the damp off. He didn't volunteer to do it though and I really don't want to sleep outside in a fort on the ground with two boys who probably won't sleep a wink because of every little sound. Call me a party pooper, but that does not sound like fun to me!

They can't wait to go back this summer and play. I can't wait also because I can sit on the deck while they play and read a book or knit and still be "close enough" for them without being right there.

I know they are going to ask to stay out there overnight. I've already thought of my excuse - "it's too buggy. the skeets will carry you away!"

What we have been up to

2011-05-15T17:36:00.005-05:00

Ahhh, how did you do that??

2011-04-21T09:35:00.003-05:00

Remember when I said I was having a rough go of it? Well, it is getting better. slowly....

I ran in the Sprint for the Arb last weekend. There was weather of all sorts: rain, snow, sleet, and a bit of sunshine. I was so proud of myself because I shaved a couple of minutes off of my last 5K time. I was flying high as a matter of fact. Then the results were posted. I came in last in my age group. Oh, I was devastated. I thought I did so well. I know I will get better at this as time goes on AND IF I put more time into running and taking care of myself. But it was still a little bit hard on the ego.

This weekend the boys and I are going to the vacation house to celebrate the holiday with my mom and dad. The car is packed and I am ready to go and have my mom take care of me for the weekend (little does she know). I am hoping that it will be nice enough out to do some hiking and sitting outside. I plan on doing some hand quilting, while the boys work on their tree fort.

***the blog title? Maybe this will tell you how busy I have been and how I need to slow down a bit... I have been frantically waiting for my milage check to arrive from work. We use it to pay for my gas and sometimes a bit more. I drive A LOT and just added two my districts to my route. Well, the checks were mailed a week ago and I still didn't have mine last night. I called the business manager at work and left a message about the identity theft at our house and how I was concerned that I hadn't received my check yet....Today I met with the B.M. (it's ok to chuckle a little bit) and he said work hadn't cut me a check. I went back to my trusty computer and wha la there was my milage for the month - I had not turned it in! Then I called Kal and told him all about it. His response was the blog title. Oh and I'll get my check on Monday, just in case you are wondering.

Have a great weekend everyone,
kari

April has been looooong month

2011-04-12T10:01:00.004-05:00

Oh friends, April has been a tremendously long month and it is only half way through. I'm tired out and a bit frustrated. I apologize to all of my family and friends who have had to listen to me whine and complain. I know that I am blessed and that I have gotten lots of "breaks", but in the heat of the moment I'm lost! (Wow how many cliches can I get in one sentence?)

I have been busy crafting (my refuge right now) and have been making these cute little birds. You are going to have to click over to see them though because a dozen have been pilfered from me before I could even take a picture of them. I'm going to cut out more tonight. The original plan was to perch them on a pussy willow branch. This is still the plan...

1st zoo trip of the year

2011-03-30T18:47:00.004-05:00

We made our first trip to the zoo today. It was a nice sun filled day. The boys got to use some of their allowance to go into the gift shop. Ian got a little seal and wooden snake. Simon got a little tiger and the eagle mask. We had loads of fun.

eagle eye Simon

eagle eye Ian

another turtle picture. I have to keep taking them while they let me!

picnic lunch.

The boys have been so funny with their allowance. They are slowly learning the meaning of money. They haven't got the idea of saving yet (oi), but they are getting the idea of what is important (to them, not me) and how long they have to save for.

Ian saves his money for specific items and then "has" to go to the store to buy it as soon as he has enough. Today, Ian was counting up how much his items were and when he looked at his money he didn't have enough. He had lost some money. He put an item back and went to pay. We had a discussion about where you keep money safe. He was disappointed, but hopefully he learned a lesson today.

Simon is a bit more frugal and then not so much. He saves his money. When we go to the store, he asks "are you buying this or do I have to?". Then he makes the decision as to whether he really wants to part with his money. He's a big spender when he buys his items and a comparison shopper. BUT he surprises me (not really - I know he is a good kid, but right now we need couples therapy :)). Today after buying his "goodies", he proceeded to give all of his loose change to a couple of the "preservers " - Simon's word for those collection tubes to help the zoo run. He also gives an offering church and always asks to put money in the Ronald McDonald House collection boxes.

How did this morph from a zoo trip to money?

We had a great time. When we got home I wanted a nap....I didn't get it!

Jone's Mansion

2011-03-27T21:44:00.003-05:00

I got to spend the weekend creating at the Jone's Mansion in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. It was so nice to be around adults...creative female adults. Sometimes I loose sight of my creative side. This weekend was a good respite.

Looking down

The quilt top

I finished a quilt top, a hat, a scarf and two appliqued wool "rugs", went for a walk... I know that seems like a lot BUT remember I didn't have to take care of anyone, but myself. So I sewed and visited and laughed. It was so nice.

When the house stood empty in the 1950's, people would come and try to shoot out the window. The glass is 3/8ths of an inch thick. These marks are left over from their attempts - pretty cool.

Science Fair

2011-03-14T13:33:00.003-05:00

Last week, Ian participated in the science fair at his school. He did an experiment where people had to smell an object with out seeing it. It found that a lot of people felt like they knew what they were smelling, but couldn't come up with the name for it. I'm proud of him for doing this again this year. I'm not so proud that he spent 45 minutes wondering around the gym with his buddy and not explaining his project. Oh well, get used to it. Right?!

The shamrock shuffle

2011-03-13T16:54:00.005-05:00

I DID IT!!!!!

I ran/walked the Shamrock Shuffle this morning. I was waiting for the results, so that I could brag a bit. I stayed in the middle of the pack and walked about half of it. I'm proud of myself. I finished in 41.49 minutes and had a pace of 13.28 minutes per mile. I'm pleased. I still smile when I think about it.

Am I any worse for the wear? Ehh, one of my ankles is giving me a bit of grief, but that could be from walking Ian to his friend's house then proceeding on another 3 miles.

Maybe I went a bit overboard, but the endorphin rush was still going on.

Here's my new goal. I am going to run in a race every month this summer (starting this month, which really isn't summer, but ....) AND by the end of summer I am going to be able to run the whole thing. So who wants to join me?? Stephanie - you are walking a lot lately. Denise - get ready for our mud run? The people who had friends with them seemed to be having lots of fun... AND the added bonus?? I'll replenish all of those t-shirts that I gave to St. Vinnie's a few weeks ago.

Another snowy day

2011-03-09T09:49:00.003-06:00

I wish I was feeling the love for the snow today, but I'm not! I drove to work to day to find out that all of the schools I was supposed to go to were closed. Blasted 2 hour delay.

What else is new? Hmmm.... I am working on my Saynoran scarf/shawl again. Sometimes I wonder why I put things away. I really like this pattern and love the yarn (Manos merino silk in a sea green and blue colorway). Hopefully I will get some pictures up soon.

I also got new glasses with bifocals. They are taking some getting used to. This morning every time I turned my head, I had this strange whoosh feeling like in the movies when the camera pans really fast. I do like my new glasses though.

Kalahari

2011-03-06T15:50:00.004-06:00

Oh we had a wonderful weekend at the Kalahari. There were mostly smiles (few gripes, whines, and tears). I have some pics from the weekend, but I need a nap.

I just wanted to let you know I have walked 2 miles Thursday, Friday, Saturday. I'm not getting off of the couch right now to go walk. I'm actually thinking a nap is in order.

Art Fair 2011

2011-03-01T18:37:00.003-06:00

Tonight was Fine Arts Night at the boys school. It is so fun to see all of the art work hanging in the halls. There was also a talent show (which we didn't stay for). Actually I'm quite surprised that Ian didn't sign up for it because he has been signing up for all kinds of extra stuff lately.

Enjoy the art!

The art show also has an installment at our house. These were Simon's extras - he could only choose two from his portfolio for the show at school. These are the one's that are hanging in his room.

I'm on fire

2011-02-27T16:39:00.002-06:00

The Christmas 2010 quilt is now complete.

What else do I need to finish.....

Complete

2011-02-27T14:16:00.003-06:00

It's done! I finished the crocheted border this morning. Even better, I still like it! I'm feeling a bit a loose ends though because this was my one "long-term" project. Now I'm a knitting single again. Well....I do have several other projects to finish, so I guess it's back to serial (knitting) monogamy.

Hmmmm....

2011-02-17T06:27:00.002-06:00

I vaguely remember Kal telling me last night that our school district was going to be closed today. This morning, around 3:45 to be precise, I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. I was worrying about money, our budget, the state budget....

I was up so I checked my email and the superintendent had sent an email stating the district would be closed. Ok...Then I wasted time playing frog pond and solitaire. When Kal got up at 5:30, we discussed who was going to stay home today. I drew the short straw because several of the schools I was supposed go to today are closed.

So what do I do today??I thought about taking the boys to the capitol today for the rallies, but decided against it. It would be too scary for them and maybe even for me.

Sometimes I feel like I don't do enough or say enough when it comes to "fighting the good fight". I appreciate those who are going to the capitol and letting the government know that we are not happy...I'm not one of those people. I would rather work behind the scenes to help, posing questions to those who are in charge hopefully changing what they are thinking. I know I help, but in different ways.

We will stay home. I will stay away from the internet and tv news. We will probably watch some movies, go for a walk, and be.

take care everybody

What I should be doing...

2011-02-14T13:05:00.003-06:00

I should be in the craft room finishing the Christmas presents - only 2 left - that I promised I would have done by Valentine's day. Happy Valentines, by the way. Instead I am sitting here eating pizza doritos, drinking hot tea, thinking about brushing my teeth for my dental appointment this afternoon (in about an hour). I know, I know you really don't care that I have a dental appointment this afternoon.

I have 4 rows of my barn raising afghan sewed together. I really like it. It is so light and warm. I think I am going to make the March deadline - hope I didn't jinx myself right there!

What else is new? I signed up for a 5K. What was I thinking? Really?? What was I thinking. I have been exercising every day for the past month (minus this weekend because I had a really bad cold) AND can now run a mile in about 13 minutes. I can do 2 miles in 30, but then I have to walk. I know I will be able to run/walk this race, but sometimes I get competitive and want to do more than my body can do. I really would like to be able to slog through the whole race without walking, but.... I still have 27 days to complete 3.2 miles.

I am enjoying working out every day. I finally feel like I am getting healthy again. The drawback is that I haven't lost any weight (I'm kind of obsessive with the scale). I think I am going to measure myself and go by that instead of the scale because my clothes are fitting differently.

Well I'm off to the dentist (just in case you needed to know).

And the winner is...

2011-02-09T17:51:00.003-06:00

....Ikkinlala!

Please send me your info by Friday and I'll send out the goodies.

I can't believe it is Wednesday already! I have lots of news...Ian got his green belt on Monday night - great job, Simon had a really good teacher's conference AND Ian signed up for the church youth musical. Oye...

Snow Day Give Away

2011-02-02T07:11:00.005-06:00

This is my 200th blog post AND a snow day so I have good reason for a fun give away! So if you are a stitcher of the yarny kind or a stitcher of the fabricy kind look no further! I have dug into my stash and purchased some honey goodies for you.****

The honey product come from d's bees. She is my oldest friend who is a bee keeper (stitcher, builder, dabbler) near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Her honey is pure and unprocessed and her body products are made with food grade ingredients. She believes that anything that you put on your body should be something that could put in your body - not that you would want to eat lotion, but I think you get my drift (snow pun intended). Right??

So included is a 8 oz jar of honey, a "push up" - think deodorant only WAY better- of her ultimate hand and body balm. I can not say enough about this product. I am working my way through my second container right now. The great part is that it is natural and it makes my skin glow. I'm not a cracked, dried out mess this winter. I keep a push up in my bag to give my hands a break through out the day. Oh and Denise included a lip balm (chai flavored).

The yarny goodness includes: 1 hank of Misty Alpaca lace weight (874 yds./100g). Color 23 (if you want to go check out the color somewhere else on line). It is a beautiful variegation of sea colors green, blue brown and tan. It is very subtle. I bought it because it reminded me of the ocean.

If fabric is your thing, 5 one yard cuts of complementary green, aqua and white is the other choice.

I must be thinking of the ocean today... a warm sunny day...

SO leave a comment and let me know you which one you might like. I'll draw randomly on Wednesday February 9th, 2011.

*** DISCLAIMER: I live in a house with a cat and dog. The yard and fabric was stored in a drawer and have had little to no contact with either animal.

Dog wash

2011-01-30T12:55:00.003-06:00

Enjoy this photo "essay". Note the dog jumped out so I had to jump in. That's why there are to pictures of the drying process.

We now have a pleasant smelling hound laying in front of the sliding glass door snoring in the sunshine.

The last one!

2011-01-29T17:15:00.004-06:00

I did it! Here's the last barn raising square. I counted all of the squares 3 times before I came up with 42. I was a bit scared because I thought that I was finished, then when I had the wrong number. I counted again. 42. Then 42 again.

As we speak, the last 6 are downstairs being blocked. Now, all I have to do is set them out in the order that is somewhat pleasing, sew them all together and stitch around the outside. Have I said this before? I feel like I am repeating myself. Sorry if I am.

The boys Christmas gifts

2011-01-29T17:01:00.003-06:00

Do you realize that Christmas was only a month ago? It seems like "months" ago to me. I promised pics of the boys with their gifts to each other. Above Simon is flying the owl that Ian designed and stuffed for him (I did all of the cutting and sewing.)

>Ian really didn't want to take part in this photo shoot, but there's the cat that Simon designed and stuffed for him. When Ian opened it, he said, " Huh a crab. Just what I wanted". Simon said," But it's a cat." "Oh I like it even better now."

Quilt Barns

2011-01-26T17:25:00.004-06:00

One of the perks of my job (this week there are many) is that I get to drive around from school to school, district to district. I've noticed these barns on a weekly basis. I finally had my camera in the car the other day and captured them.

This is the barn of a friend. She had the quilt put on it about a year ago because it made her happy. This fall she died from cancer. Every time I drive by I think of her.

Sunday afternoons

2011-01-23T20:01:00.004-06:00

It has been cold here. Too cold to go outside and play or do anything else. Today it was finally warm enough to send "them" out. A balmy 13 degrees. The boys went out to shovel snow.

Simon taking a break.

We went to see Green Hornet yesterday. Simon has been perfecting his "dead" pose. boys....

While the boys were outside, the big boy was watching the game and writing his color commentary on facebook.

Here are the final peace pals that I am making for the group going to Haiti, from our church, in February. I already "turned in " 3 boys. I just have to get the faces on them by tomorrow night. They were fun to make and fast. The putziest part was sewing them together because I didn't have a long enough needle to do magic loop. I think we will be sending about 25 dolls to be distributed to children. Each of the dolls I made has fuzzy brown hair because every kid deserves something soft and snuggly. I can image a little boy or girl rubbing the hair against his or her face at night or anytime for that matter. After I finish each one, I give it a kiss and whisper "go have fun".

Shadow

2011-01-20T18:29:00.003-06:00

Her whiskers really are that gray.

"Ok now that you embarrassed me, can I at least have a treat?"

just because

2011-01-20T15:54:00.001-06:00

Eddie will let me get close enough to take pictures like this. Shadow won't and I really want to get a picture of her gray beard.

Day off

2011-01-19T17:09:00.002-06:00

trying to finish quilting on the 2010 Christmas quilt

two boys who really needed to go outside

Yesterday was my day to stay home with the boys. I went downstairs to change over the laundry and decided to do some quilting. I came up and told these two to tell me when their movie was over and we would go to the library. Three hours later...I came upstairs and they were still on the couch watching a NEW movie. I had to smile because on some level they must have "known" that I needed that time sewing. Right? Ok let me be a bit delusional - just for a bit.

But I have that quilt almost done. There is about an hour left of quilting and then I have to bind it.

Maybe I'll go down and work on it after supper. It has been a doozey of a day - full moon - but this time it wasn't the students. It was the parents. Oh well tomorrow is another day right? I'll like my job better tomorrow right? (say right!)

Sometimes...

2011-01-16T15:20:00.003-06:00

Sometimes I don't like blogger very much. I have been trying to upload pictures for the past couple of days and it won't "let" me. Ugh! I'm not sure if the problem is on my end or theirs or somewhere in between. Suggestions?

I am down to TWO more squares for my barn raising afghan. Yeah, I am really excited to start sewing the squares together. Please make sure to remind me of this moment when I am on square 15 and don't want to go any further. My goal is to have it completed by the first of March. It will have taken me roughly a year to complete it. I don't know what color I will use to sew it together or for the outer crocheted border. Luckily I know how to single crochet :).

Oh on a sad note...we went to see The Green Hornet 3D today. Well we tried to anyway. We sat in the theater for 20 minutes and they came in and told us there was a malfunction. The boys were devastated. We were reimbursed the ticket price and given extra tickets. Oh there was complaining. They kept it together, but when they had to give up their icies for concessions refunds they lost it. Simon dropped to the floor and sobbed.

So here is my question for you...why did we have to give back our left over popcorn, sodas, and icies? It was not like they could recycle them. They weren't going to refund Kal's soda because he had drank it and thrown the cup away. I don't get it. Truly, I don't.

All down and almost put away

2011-01-07T19:47:00.003-06:00

Ahh, the living is almost back in order from the holidays. I just have a few more boxes to go downstairs to be put away.

I got all of my knitting that has been stored behind the couch for the last month and a half in the ottoman. That feels good. When I pulled it all out I was a bit scared it looked like a lot, but it wasn't as much as it appeared. I also stacked up all of the chicken wings (pictures later... do I have your interest piqued?) that were on the end table and took them downstairs to the craft room to become completed items.

Some people feel sad when the Christmas stuff goes away. This year I don't... I feel like I can start fresh. Finish some of the stuff I have started and start some new things.

Enjoy the weekend

New years day

2011-01-03T13:40:00.003-06:00

I guess too much fun was had by all on New Year's Eve. This was the scene in the back seat on the way home from gma and gpa's house.

looking back and forward

2010-12-31T07:51:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow is a new year. Can you believe it? My mom and dad say that time flies the older you get and I am beginning to believe them. Really I am. By the end of the year days were flying by me and I was there but not really present and I didn't like that at all.

This year has been filled with many fun activities. We did tons of hiking and playing outside.... I think the frogs thought we were a permanent fixture at their pond this spring. We rode our bikes around town and had great fun. We went to the tree farm several times and on a trip to St. Louis that was loads of fun (minus the heat).

I created lots of "stuff", much of which I can't remember at this moment, but it was fun in the process.

For the next year....

I want:
- to be present more, not just occupying space. I want to be in the moment and enjoy the time that I have with my family and friends. Really listen and participate.
- to "be". I want to find time for me without feeling guilty for taking that time. Be it for reading or sewing or exercising or knitting or.....
- to travel.
- to keep going with karate.
- to finish a sweater for me that is wearable.
- laugh with family and friends.

oh the "I wants" could go on forever, I guess.

Take care. I'll see you in a few days.
kari

Coming into the home stretch

2010-12-21T12:32:00.003-06:00

The first batch of Christmas cookies have been frosted AND eaten. The second (double batch) are un-frosted and half gone. The boys keep asking when we are going to frost the next ones, I figure if I keep putting them off I won't have to make more frosting.

The pre-holiday rush is really a rush this year. I finally have the cards done and in the mail (thanks to a 2 hour delay this morning) and have the gifts in the house (as opposed to the trunk of my car), so now all I have to do is wrap them.

I promised myself I would give ample time to the gifts that I wanted to make...hmmm..... maybe some will be Valentine's gifts. :)!

Saturday when I announced that I was going to the sewing room for a while Ian said,"That's great because I have an idea for something for Simon that I need your help with". Simon took that as a cue to start plans for a gift for Ian. They did a wonderful job designing stuffed animals for each other. They did all of the designing and stuffing. I did all of the cutting and sewing. Oh and the BEST part (according to them) was that they got to pick fabric from the "other" drawers, not just their drawer. I thought that the best part beside spending time creating with my kids was that they respected each others privacy during the whole process. There were knocks on the door, but no yelling or barging in. They wrapped them after they were finished and put them under the tree. I'll post pics after Christmas.

Now to finish a ____ and some_____.

sledding

2010-12-10T17:20:00.002-06:00

We just got back from sledding. We had a good time UNTIL Ian hit a bump and got the wind knocked out of him. It was kind of down hill from there (hehehe).

For a while, I layed on a sled under some pine trees. The snow was nestled in the branched and around little pine cones. It was so peaceful and really a good picture (maybe I'll take the camera next time). Then some middle school boys came and the testosterone was flying. They were having so much fun and I tried not to be too much of a mom asking if they were ok when a crash occurred.

Busy weekend

2010-11-29T14:35:00.003-06:00

not in any particular order because I'm being lazy and only have a bit of time....

A finished potato chip scarf (I've noticed that the older I get I can't get a good self portrait - too much neck/cheek/jowl action)

A birthday boy

Our Christmas Tree

Simon's orange belt test

The sign that Simon made to tell the mouse he was not welcome in Ian's room.

Scarf (blah, blah, blah)

2010-11-16T11:55:00.003-06:00

I finished a potato chip scarf for a friend at work. It was really cool and she really liked it....Wish I had a picture to show you, but I don't. I have been leery of putting pictures on this computer. So I haven't been taking many pictures. I know excuses, excuses.

I really like the photo application on the macbook, and don't get to use it that frequently, so that is another reason why there haven't been many posts with or without pictures. Maybe I'm just lazy? Who knows? I have been going through a lazy couple of days.

I want to get back into my blogging because I really do enjoy it.

What do you do to get your blogging mo-jo back? Set aside a special time of day? Include a picture everyday? I'm open to suggestions....

The weekend

2010-11-02T16:39:00.003-05:00

up a tree without a ladder

Finally!

The fort

Mowing

Testing the water

Election Day...

2010-11-02T10:57:00.004-05:00

No I am not going to spout my electoral views BUT I am going to say that I voted this morning on the way to work...I do have one complaint. GET A HEARING AID!!! I shouldn't have repeat my name 4 or 5 times before you, election volunteer, get it. Only to repeat the process again at the next table 15 minutes later.

I have an office day, ahhh. I had great plans to get lots done and so far... I have facebooked, you-tubed and now blogged. The you-tubing was related to work though...I sat and watched about 15 "It gets better" videos in ASL. It was interesting to see I how well I understand adults signing compared to kids.

The long weekend was just what was needed. We had tons of fun outside making a fort and walking the trails. I got another square done.

AND Simon lost his first tooth. "Finally something good is happening in my life!"

I'll try to post pictures later this week.

Ok, it's time to eat some lunch (smile) and get to work.

Enjoy your day AND don't forget to vote!

Two weeks ago???

2010-10-26T18:02:00.002-05:00

With the weather today, I find it hard to remember how nice it was two weeks ago. It was a beautiful weekend. We went for a last boat ride on Lake DeNeveau.

Captain Ian and First mate Simon

Goofing before the boat ride- lucky Dad wasn't around....

My Mom and Dad

Aunt Barb, me, Mom with our beautiful sun hats.

Ahhhh

2010-10-25T13:04:00.002-05:00

October will soon be over. This will be a god send. I am not exaggerating when I say I had AT LEAST 3 after school meetings per week this month. Oi! Then a big birthday - Ian turned 8. and blah, blah, blah.....

I am grateful for the long weekend. Ah...nothing to do but knit, watch the kids, go for walks (if the weather is ok).

As for Sockoberfest....I've not gotten very far. I have one more square finished and another on the needles, but it will be a miracle if I get 5 or 6 more done. I'll just keep plugging away and those squares will get done.

Sockoberfest

2010-10-01T18:56:00.002-05:00

Every year I say I am going to participate in Socktoberfest. My goal is to finish the pairs of socks that I have started. This year I have a fighting chance. I only have 2 pairs started. But here is the problem, I still have 7 blocks of my barn raising afghan to go. I'm thinking that I am going to count those squares as socks BECAUSE they are after all made out of sock yarn. See my fuzzy logic??

Wish me luck. I really want to get these squares done - I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Computers

2010-09-27T13:16:00.003-05:00

My computer died. I knew it was dying a slow death - zapping in and out. Now I have a new computer (for work) and the cursor jumps from one place to another (while I am trying to type important stuff i.e. blog, not so important stuff i.e. reports, email...). It is annoying and the tech. guy who I generally love hasn't worked on it yet.

We bought a macbook for home, but I haven't been able to get on it because Kal is using it for school until his laptop gets fixed....errrrrrr.....

Oh and all of the 5 yes FIVE years of photos that were on the dead computer are lost....Guess I really need to get a Flicker account.

First weeks

2010-09-15T19:26:00.002-05:00

Aye, aye, aye....

These first few weeks of school are kind killing my free time. I am getting back into the groove of teaching, but have not found the after school, home groove. Seems like we are always on the go. Homework, supper, karate, read, bed. Repeat everyday at 3:45 pm (except Tuesdays and Fridays).

One good thing (for me) is that the boys have been grounded from t.v. and wii for the past week. They were naughty on their dad's watch and they got the goods. Oh well, it has been very quiet here this week...the t.v. cabinet has been closed...nice. There have been lots of books read, games played and laughter. I'm almost tempted to try no t.v. during the week, but I think I will be vetoed.

Hopefully soon I will have pictures of "things" that I created.

soon.....

Let's go for a walk

2010-09-05T10:40:00.001-05:00

I got up this morning before the house was awake and went for a walk. Want to come along?

First Day

2010-09-01T07:30:00.003-05:00

Dear Teacher,

Yes, we really went school shopping. Yes, we bought new shirts, pants, and supplies. This is what they CHOSE to wear today and I CHOOSE not to argue over clothes this year. Please don't judge them for what they wear to school. They are good boys who are independent thinkers. And they are comfortable.

Thanks,
Kari

p.s. I'm sure you will see some of their new clothes after they run out of the "good" ones.

Sometimes you have to start something new

2010-08-22T13:54:00.002-05:00

I made a bunch of these little socks a few years ago. They are really fun to make. So last night whilst taking a break from the barn raising squares, I made this one. I see more of them in my future.

The boys are already gone with gma and gpa to the vacation house. They put the next Gregor the Overlander book in the cd player and were off.

The topic for tomorrow is dyslexia and Tuesday is better customer service - some lady is coming from Culver's to speak to us (just in case you were wondering what my agenda is for the beginning of the week). Customer service for teachers? Remember I work for a CESA, the agency sells my low incidence spec. ed. services to school districts for a fee.

Ahh, Saturday

2010-08-21T11:37:00.002-05:00

The boys were gone all week and leave again tomorrow. I've been doing some "professional development" for work. Ask me anything about children living in poverty, bullying, or visualizing/verbalizing AND I can give you an answer. While I enjoy learning something new and having a few extra days to play with if I have snow days, I was ready for them to come home yesterday. I think that I will probably be ready for them to come home again on Friday.

Yesterday one of Ian's friends called 5 minutes after he got home. Ian just looked at me when I said," Maybe you can see him tomorrow". Today they sit on the couch playing Wii. I like his friend,. so I don't mind him being here, but what about me??

To be truthful, I am having a bit of anxiety about work. I am getting a few new students in districts that I haven't been in a while. It probably won't be as bad as I am envisioning it, but sometimes change is scary.

Rookie Mistake

2010-08-15T18:15:00.003-05:00

I decided to take my spinning wheel for a whirl this afternoon. We sat out on the deck with the sun shining and the breeze blowing. I was really getting the hang of drafting again. Soon I had 3 bobbins full of spun fiber. I thought I had more bobbins like 4 or 5 total so the spinning part was going full blast. No need to worry.

While I was spinning, I had decided that I was going to try my hand at plying next. I was having fiber dreams of creating more yarn this week during the evenings. So I sat and read the instructions for the lazy kate and found that I needed an empty bobbin. I searched my craft room - no more bobbins.

I really need to read all of the instructions before I start new projects. I guess that I will have to wait to ply it until I go buy a few more bobbins.

Ahhh. I guess it is back to the barn raising squares (23 and counting) and quilting.

The Front...

2010-08-10T12:51:00.005-05:00

The "mood" front had moved on. This morning we made a quick trip to JoAnn Fabrics to get some minkie for the back of an alien quilt (not one of the 2 projects that I left on the table). We were scouting the polar fleece when I heard Ian say," I've found the softest stuff in the whole store". Wow, did he ever. I promptly put the canary yellow fleece/minkie in the cart. Then we perused the store.
It seems like I have been saying "no" to the boys a lot today. They have been asking for stuff... to go out for dinner.... to the grocery store for lunchables.... You name it they have asked for it and I have said "no". Today I said yes to some of those black velvet maker posters and they are working on them right now. Enjoying every minute.

Have a good afternoon, I'm off to do some machine quilting.

One of those days...

2010-08-09T15:03:00.002-05:00

Birdseed Sunflower growing through the deck

I'm having one of those days. You may know the kind. It's a day when I feel like doing something, ANYTHING and nothing is exciting. I've cleaned the house, made lunch, watched some Disney movie. If I eat any more Rollos, I'm going to have a different problem.

I went downstairs and put fabric and yarn away in my craft room. I thought that something might inspire me. It didn't. I did get my feather weight fixed though. It no longer has a tension problem. The table is cleared of all but 2 quilting projects (the most current). It's the first time no extra fabric or yarn is waiting in line to be used.

Am I bored? Not really, well maybe just a little, but not really, maybe...

What have you been up to?

2010-08-05T11:20:00.003-05:00

The other day when I took the boys to get hair cuts, the stylist asked what we have been up to.

That seems to be a question we have been asked a lot lately. It's not like we have dropped off the earth or anything, but mostly we have been doing lots of summer stuff. Stuff most people wouldn't find terribly interesting.

Our A.C. has been working intermittently, so it has been lots of pool time and library trips. We had a picnic at the park one day and on another day went to visit friends we haven't seen in a while. Kal had a birthday and fortunately for us, the A.C. worked long enough for us to make a birthday cake.

On the crafting front, I got some new needles to work on my barn raising afghan. I've started a quilt with mermaids on it (pictures soon) and have been knitting pot scrubbies for the church festival - I can honestly say that I am tired of those scrubbies...

Not much summer left for me - one more week, then it is back to work. So I'm out to enjoy what is left of it.

Better

2010-07-28T08:54:00.003-05:00

The bridge between Metropolis, IL and Paducah, KY

Today is a better day. Yesterday wasn't so bad either. I didn't find a needle. But to be honest I didn't go looking very hard either. Maybe later in the week.

I did however start sewing on a quilt kit my mom got me at Hancock's of Paducah. Have you ever been there? It is fabric overload. Thousands of bolts of fabric...moda, alexander, butler....you name it.

The first time I went there was during AQS show several years ago. I was on overload looking at all of those quilts and then the vendors. Quilting nirvana. I remember going home (to the camper) at the end of the day and petting all of my fabric purchases wishing that I had my machine with me.

So that means today is another sewing day, if I can get the boys to cooperate.

Ohh and I overheard this yesterday...
S: What are you doing?
I: Looking at this moth?
S:Hmm, it's a big one.
I: slam
S: What'd you do that for?
I: Moth's are not good for fiber. We live in a fiber house.
S: Oh...but we are outside.

Not happy

2010-07-27T09:02:00.003-05:00

Broken #2 40" bamboo needle

I'm not happy at the moment. This morning I found the ONLY needle that I have to work on my barn raising squares hid under the couch. When I asked where it was I received a noncommittal "I don't know". When I found it and asked what happened, I got the same answer.

A little later, Simon needed my help with something and I asked again. The answer this time was "I don't want to talk about it". Ahhh, avoidance.

Needless to say I will be calling around today to see if I can find this needle ANYWHERE in the greater Madison area. I am on a roll people. I am half way there. I have 21 squares done and 21 to go! I really want to finish this project....

City Museum

2010-07-26T07:44:00.003-05:00

The last of the vacation pictures - I promise - for a while any way....

If you happen to be in St. Louis and have children under the age of 12 - well I take that back, there were people there of all ages, but younger kids would probably enjoy this the most, go to City Museum. It is well worth the price of admission. We had a blast on the slides and enjoyed the sculptures. The place was created with tunnels and mazes and climbing areas. It really is a place to be experienced. Pay the extra for the roof, it's worth it.

The Arch

2010-07-26T07:40:00.002-05:00

Honestly....

2010-07-26T07:39:00.000-05:00

I haven't been here because I didn't have the vacation pictures off of the camera. Really. I made a deal with myself that I wouldn't blog until I got the pics off the camera, so I stayed off the computer (pretty much) until this weekend.

So what have we been up to? We went to Springfield, IL, Hannibal, St. Louis and Paducah, KY with my parents. It was a fun trip. We went to the Arch, Grant's Farm, the Zoo, home of Superman (Metropolis, IL), and much more. We had a really good time - the only bad thing was the humidity - yuck! We were lucky to have an air conditioner.

Just for Luck

Painting the Fence

Being Silly

Mark Twain Memorial Bridge

I did it!

2010-07-06T12:24:00.003-05:00

This morning I got my white belt in karate. Learning karate was on my bucket list. I think I even put on the list that I wanted to get a black belt - we'll see about that! I'm really glad that I started. The boys have been going for a little over a year now. When I started total fitness in the spring, I think it was inevitable that I would start karate.

It is a process. A process where I am learning to do something new, making connections with my body, brain, and spirit.

I like it. Actually, I like it a lot. It is a 30 to 45 minute period several times a week where I can only focus on what I am doing in the moment. I can't think about family, bills, school, the boys......... the list goes on OR I can't do the movements. After wards, ahhhh.

Mt. Olympus

2010-06-30T19:52:00.002-05:00

Today we used our tickets to Mt. Olympus. It was a lot of fun. We got there as the water park was opening and went on a few of the water slides right away. Later in the day there were waits up to an hour....yuck. We had a ton of fun in the tidal wave pool. We stayed until 5:00.

Now for the bad news... the sunscreen was left on the kitchen table. Luckily the boys are only a little bit pink. I, on the other hand, have bits that are REALLY red. I have already rubbed down with vinegar and smell like a pickle. The only place it still hurts is between my shoulder blades - the boys won't put any vinegar on me..."it stinks too much".

Lesson learned. Double check the bag before the car leaves the driveway.

DeForest Splash Park

2010-06-29T20:39:00.002-05:00

Sock (monkey) Love

2010-06-28T06:19:00.004-05:00

The sock monkeys are complete. They have been to karate, the park, and beyond.

The mouse ear hosta is blooming. Actually most of my hostas are blooming, but this one is so little and cute.

Yummmm. I can't wait to have one!

Oh my gosh...

2010-06-16T11:05:00.004-05:00

I got my swap box from the crafty swap. When I opened it, I was like Hmmmm...what's in here. Then two little vultures swooped in and started to claim stuff. Wait a minute boys....

There was all kinds of goodness in there. Cute cowboy and Indian fabric and some batiks (I have a project coming up for those). A Debbie Macomber book, some bath salts, a cookie (Simon says it was good), a beautiful batt for spinning (can't wait to get at that).

I got further down in the box and found some Socks that Rock sock yarn - lenore colorway. Oh my heart went a flutter. I have wanted to join that sock club for a while, but for many reasons haven't. I am so happy that Amysue decided to part with it. A thousand million thanks.

There also was a sock monkey kit in the box. Ian has been asking for a sock monkey for ages. It's kind of funny that there was one in the box. I was wondering where it was when I took the picture of the box.

Here is my not so subtle hint that this should be my next project. Yesterday he asked me to email Zoe and ask her if she had any stuffing to go in it.

Thank you Amysue.

barnraising

2010-06-09T14:16:00.004-05:00

I'm kind of addicted to this pattern. I take it to karate, in the car, and to work (for the odd moments that I have to knit). I don't know why I put off doing it for so long. Actually I do...I didn't think I could do it without using double points and with all of the yarn overs...yuck!!

Oh, magic loop, how do I love thee... There are 9 blocked so far. I wanted to see how each one looked. I need 42 total. Want to take bets how long it will take me to finish it?? Besides I am running out of left over sock yarn (hint, hint swap partner :). I may have to break out the other stuff.

Just a cute picture of a little ball that came out of a big ball while I was knitting. Cute, eh?

Weekend in review

2010-06-07T14:27:00.002-05:00

The boys went to my mom and dad's for the weekend. Ahh, just what was ordered. I love my children to bits, but enjoy when they go away and come back.

We started out the weekend at Cafe BelItalia (it used to be the Northport bar and grill). If you live in Madison. You really need to treat yourself to a really good Sicilian meal - the portabella ravioli are my recommendation. Then we went to the union and sat by the lake eating our babcock hall icecream. There was a jazz band playing - nice - wish I had a better word, but sitting by the lake eating icecream with my honey was really - nice (hehehehe).

Saturday morning I slept in - wait for it - until 8:30. Those of you who know me know that most days my feet hit the floor by at least 6:30. We went for brunch - yes that's two meals out if you are keeping track. I had two giant plates of fruit and bacon. Then we walked around the art fair and car show in DeForest. Heidi, Gerry, and Stef came in the afternoon and we went to the art show again - the car show was finished. Kal and his dad helped a man who stopped breathing. Scary, but I am proud of him for stopping and trying to call 911 - that's a whole other story. We made it home before the rain and cooked out. We watched It's Complicated and Ray. Both good but we should have mixed in a slapstick comedy.

Sunday I slept in again...til 7:30. We cleaned up the basement and went for salads at Panera. Yes that was 3 meals out in 48 hours - shame on us! When we got home, I sewed for a bit, went through my stash again for the swap and took a nap.

The kids came home and went for a short swim, before talking a bower (bath/shower) and using a whole bottle of manwash to cover the bathroom floor with bubbles.

Ahhh, it was a good weekend.

Sorry for no pics, I was busy enjoying myself sans camera.

10 years ago today...

2010-06-03T12:49:00.002-05:00

we made it official.