quickie :)

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

quickie :)
Current mood: bullied

I just wanted to do a quick little update, tonight.
First of all, some successes on the potty training front! (I know you were waiting with bated breath. LOL). The day before yesterday Sweetcheeks voluntarily, on his own, went to the potty and pooped! He was playing, I was nursing Babyman, and next thing I know Littleman comes running in to announce that Sweetcheeks had pooped in the potty! Of course I had to verify this tale and be sure there wasn't a mess to deal with somewhere. But, Hooray! It was a great success. Too bad he pooped in his underwear last night. . . but we'll take what good news we can eh? Such as, today (despite going here and there with Daddy and Littleman) Sweetcheeks kept his clothes dry all day long! Another big hooray for that. :) (Really big, because the ranks of dirty laundry around here have been amassing fresh recruits at an alarming rate. I think they'll be ready for their takeover soon, if I don't mount a surprise offensive and gain an advantage).

Tonight's thumbs-up is for this CD:
Celtic Odyssey, a compilation of Celtic Music. Though I love Celtic music, I am usually a bit lukewarm on Celtic CDs. This however is purely sublime.

visit these blogs

Sunday, January 27, 2008


visit these blogs
Current mood: mellow


OK, I'm back- I couldn't resist pointing you to a couple blog posts I read today.

First, to the Lefsetz Letter for today's post titled "Overnight Sensation". Read this. It's especially important if you are in the music business, but even if you are not it applies to most unrealized (as of yet) dreams.

There are a lot of ways to fail to reach your goals, but the only surefire way is to stop trying.

Second, to Killboy for the 1/18/08 post titled "Reading Material". If you ride a motorcycle, you will recognize and appreciate the eloquence of this post. If you don't ride, perhaps you will get an impression of the experience. In any case, it's good writing.

Want more? Maybe you remember this post of mine from a motorcycle ride with Billy. (shameless self promotion I guess, but I like remembering it).

That's it. Just had to share. :)

Blogging! Looking for feedback.

Sunday, January 27, 2008


Blogging! Looking for feedback.
Current mood: inquisitive

When I checked one last time, the dog was waiting to come in. Finally. So I didn't have to leave her out there all night. And, get this: Babyman slept in the cosleeper all night! So even though I was waking to nurse as usual, at least when I went back to sleep I could stretch out in whatever way was comfortable. THAT was nice. Thank you, Babyman!

* * *

I was thinking today about blogs, and blogging. Sometimes I think I'd like to get more serious about my blog, and actually promote it. Write for a general audience, rather than for all my wonderful readers who know me and are actually somewhat interested in the ins and outs of my daily life (bless you all!). But I'm so all over the place in this blog- I'm not sure what would actually be interesting to a more general reader. You can see that this blog is currently titled Kitmama's Pensieve, because I think it's very much like JK Rowling's concept of a "pensieve" in her Harry Potter books. I can pour my random thoughts out of my overstuffed head, and stir them around a bit to see if anything useful is revealed. (I'd probably have to choose a new name if I wanted to promote the blog at all). I can track visits to this blog, and learn things such as what words people typed into search engines that led to my blog, or what links in my blog they decided to click on. That information seems to tell me that my most popular postings are those related to cloth diapers and baby products. (My Cloth Diaper Primer is most popular by far). Perhaps I could be of service concentrating on those topics?

Any ideas, comments? What in this blog bores you? What keeps you coming back? Anything you wish I'd write more about?

As always, THANK YOU readers! This blog (on it's other server) has nearly 5,000 hits by now. If it weren't for you all, I probably wouldn't be writing anything. At least you keep me typing something, and possibly moving onward to bigger and better writing. Thank you!!!

* * *

Today's thumbs-up is for hot tea. I like mine with honey and lemon, or simply unadulterated. It's good for the soul. A zen moment. Whatever suits your fancy, go and brew yourself a cuppa. Do it for me! Enjoy.

What a night.

Saturday, January 26, 2008


What a night.
Current mood: pissed off

Sometimes, I hate my dog.
I feel bad admitting it, but my dog has taught me that I am just not a dog person. She is just as sweet as can be, she's a wonderful buddy to Billy's dog and she is endlessly patient with the kiddos. But she is dumber than a brick, she digs up the back yard to an astonishing degree (creating muddy areas that cake their doggy feet), she sheds and sheds and sheds and sheds, and she doesn't listen well. Sometimes, she simply will not come in when you call.

Right now it is 11:30 pm, I want to go to bed, and she is outside in near-freezing temperatures barking her fool head off. I cannot in good conscience leave her out there, both because it is too cold and because she would bark too much. You cannot catch that dog if she does not want to be caught. She looks a bit like a border collie (sort of), but there's nothing else about her that would point to Border Collie genes. Until you try to catch her. Then all of a sudden, this couch potato dog becomes agility champion with cunning and speed on her side. She sure does love a good chase, if it makes her pursuer look like a fool. Besides, I don't want to get dressed to go out and drag her sorry ass back inside.

11:41. Still barking.

I'm glad (for her sake) we rescued her from the pound. I'm glad she's a good friend for our other dog. I'm glad she's around for the boys, so they learn about dogs. And it's reassuring to have a dog in the house (even a dumb one) when I am here alone with the kiddos. But if someone we knew wanted to give her a loving home, I'd definitely let her go. I'm just not appreciative of the finer points of dog ownership. The poor girl is really just a pain in the neck for me. (Shh, don't tell her! She already gets depressed because I can't give her the attention she used to get). Whenever she goes on to the great doggy beyond (hopefully after a long happy life) I will not be getting another dog. I'll stick with cats, thank you very much.

11:50. Quiet outside, finally. I'll go check to see if she's waiting to come in.

Nope. I called her again, but she is ignoring me. This is just a delightful way to top off a delightful evening, let me tell you.

This morning was fun- we had to hurry, but we made it on time to a birthday party for a friend of the boys'. They all had a blast, and I enjoyed meeting the other parents. It was really nice. Leaving was an ordeal- the boys were screaming and resisting with every tactic they could think of- but I managed. They conked out in the car, but Babyman screamed until I finally got on the highway- I swear I hit every single red light along the way. Tension mounting. He woke up when we got home, but the other two slept on so it wasn't too hectic getting everyone's needs taken care of. It was non-stop activity for me for an couple hours, but it wasn't hectic. Things even remained relatively calm through the afternoon and early evening.

But tonight, I was wound tighter, and tighter. . . the boys were sniping as usual, but twice Littleman got in trouble for actually hitting Sweetcheeks. ("But I didn't want him to do ___, and he did it anyway, so I hit him"). Sweetcheeks also fell off the back of the couch at one point. Babyman was fussy and refused to let me put him down at all. Even asleep, the moment he touched the bed (or anywhere else except for my arms) he instantly awoke crying. Littleman argued with absolutely EVERYTHING I said to him. Everything, even stupid stuff. Facts, opinions, directions, didn't matter- he argued. Sweetcheeks took a dump on the stairs. Ooooooh, it can be hard not to blow up over that. He did put his final little turdlet into the potty, so perhaps I should look on the bright side there. Right? Both boys refused to eat their dinner. I suppose they must be hungry, but I wasn't about to make them something else. They helped choose what to eat in the first place! And now, they are all finally asleep and my stupid, idiot dog won't come inside.

And I'm so tired I keep zoning out at the keyboard. I just realized that my finger had come to rest on the "return" key, and I was lengthening this post significantly with empty spaces. Oops.

Still, here is tonight's thumbs up: Bach's Rescue Remedy. This is how I survived the evening. That, a lot of deep breaths and a little chocolate. All wonderful stuff. I love Rescue Remedy.

12:20 am. Dog is barking again. Right about now, I'd happily wring her neck. OK not really, but I am having some serious thoughts that would bring PETA down on my head if I carried them out. Stupid, %@!&**! dog.

OK, it's been an hour since I started this- probably and hour and a half that she's been out there. Screw her. I'll try one last time, and then I'm going to bed. Billy can let her in when he gets home, whenever that will be.

We'll see if I have the balls to actually do that.
Stupid dog.

Mommy news, that wine and some video fun

Thursday, January 24, 2008


Mommy news, that wine and some video fun
Current mood: silly


Well, we've gone full speed ahead with Sweetcheeks' potty training. I kept him in underwear all day today. He had Montessori this morning, (his second day at school sans diapers) and he did great. He had two accidents at home in one hour, but one of them was because he couldn't get the bathroom door open. (poor kid). The other was a brilliantly timed poop, which he informed me of just as we were literally walking out the door to go to Littleman's gym class (already late). Such timing really helps a Mom get that calm, supportive demeanor which is so recommended for successful potty training. Er, not. Miraculously though, (and it does seem outside the laws of physics) we were only 5 minutes late. Sweetcheeks had another pee accident while we were at the gym, and I changed his clothes again. But the good news is that those clothes stayed dry for the rest of the day, all through the rest of Littleman's gym class and through a visit to Didi's house, and even survived him falling asleep on the way home tonight. So, all things considered, I'd say it was a pretty successful day in his potty training progress.

Today was also Babyman's first real bath. I've been bathing him with just washcloths all this time, and tonight I finally had a good opportunity to introduce him to lots of lovely warm water for sitting in. He seemed to enjoy it, which was nice. He didn't appreciate the getting out part, and was not appeased by a comforting massage. In fact, he protested the massage. Quite loudly. Oh, well, maybe next time.

I guess that all qualifies as news only a mother can love.

I am very, very sleepy. Before I sign off, that wine I enjoyed so much was a 2003 Barton & Guestier Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Apparently it is a blend of syrah and grenache. It made me think of trees and deep, mossy forests. I enjoyed it.

Here's a couple youtube videos for my thumbs-up. This is sort of silly (and you might have come across it already), but it tickled me. Perhaps you've heard of the group Daft Punk? Well here is a little routine someone made up for their song "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" (don't give up on the video too soon; it grows on you):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2cYWfq--Nw

Then, someone came along and took the idea a little further, actually turning it into a dance routine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cva_sGN_0VA

Well I was entertained, at least! :)
LOL.
Good night!

the drive home

Monday, January 21, 2008


the drive home
Current mood: grateful

Big round moon glowing, framed in the van's sunroof.

A patch of white in the corner of my eye, still catches me off guard. (Amazing that it's stayed cold enough for the snow to stick around this long, even if it's only in the sheltered shady spots).

Snow reflecting moonlight off a mountainside.

Feeling good, watching the miles roll by.

Cypresses encrusted with diamonds, a delicate tracery of snow sparkling in glorious contrast to the feathery branches.

A lone lit window passing in the night.

A brick wall, the lightest dusting of snow still clinging to the mortar lines.

A velvet black sky, stars shining brilliantly through the frosty clear air.

A pleasant drive to end a pleasant day.

Just a quick hello

Sunday, January 20, 2008


Just a quick hello
Current mood: drunk

OK, so I still stayed up too late and am trying to blog when my brain is mush. :) Pleasantly though, I spent my evening with Babyman and my wonderful husband. (Amazing!) We traded the baby off while (finally) dismantling the Christmas tree, watching The Lord of the Rings and drinking a very nice red wine which we'd received as a gift. (The wine has more than a little to do with why my brain is mush). It was an excellent evening. Tonight's thumbs-up will be for that wine- but the bottle's downstairs and I'm upstairs, and I'll just be lazy and tell you what wine it is in a later post. So, check back for that- I highly recommend it.

Today I managed to collect a variety of things to get rid of, probably via a donation to Goodwill. I want to find a lot more stuff (including clothes, for sure) to purge. I'm also trying to "disappear" several toys. (Including those ridiculous, loud, annoying dancing bears which the boys got from a relative for Christmas. I can't begin to explain how very irritating this thing is. It literally makes me cringe every time they hit the button. Luckily, the batteries are failing so they are losing interest in it. (There's not much there to hold their interest, anyway). It is SO outta here.

It would be nice to get some more things organized around here. Baby steps, I guess. Little bit by little bit. (And try not to add to the chaos too much, in the meantime).

I am muddled in my thinking right now. Pleasantly so, but it does make it difficult to write intelligently. I think I will spare you further rambling tonight. :) I wish you a lovely evening.

PS- there is no "tipsy" smiley in the myspace list, so "drunk" will have to do. Isn't it cute?

Snow!! Scones, and some thumbs-ups for your enjoyment

Saturday, January 19, 2008


Snow!! Scones, and some thumbs-ups for your enjoyment
Current mood: cheerful

SNOW!!! Sustained, steady, big-fluffy-flaked snow! I feel like a kid every time I glance out the window. It makes me want to do a little happy jig right there, whether I'm pouring my coffee or changing a diaper. If I've been doing something else for awhile, and forgotten to look outside, I grin like an idiot when I spot the snow still swirling steadily down. Hooray, snow!

On the one hand, I'm missing an opportunity to appreciate this delight with Littleman and Sweetcheeks. I can count on one hand the number of times it's snowed in Littleman's experience, and only once has he been able to play in it- last year, when we had to travel to Beech Mtn NC just to find enough snow to slide around in. Since the boys are spending the weekend with their Auntie and Grandma and Grandpa, I'm missing the delight of their experience with it. But on the other hand, I am in a cozy mood today, happy to appreciate the snow's beauty through insulated windows. Lately I have not been feeling adventurous about outdoor adventures in all weather- which is a bit out of character for me, so perhaps it's something instinctual related to having a new infant. Anyhow, instead of mucking about in cold wet frostiness, I slept late, read emails, made coffee and baked scones, all while delighting in the fluffy crystalline magic that continues to grace my view of outside.

Mmmm, scones. I haven't made these in a long while, though they are a favorite of mine. This recipe is from a cookbook, but I copied it ages and ages ago, so I don't know who to give credit to. They are quite simple, and I love them:

Raisin Scones

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
2 Tbs sugar
1/4 cup cold butter
1/2 cup raisins (or dried berries), soaked in hot water for 1/2 hour
1/2 cup half & half or cream
1 egg, beaten

- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- Sift dry ingredients together. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender.
- Add the drained raisins to the flour mixture.
- Mix the half & half with the beaten egg and stir into the flour mixture. Use a fork, and do not overmix. It should just take a few turns.
- Divide the dough into three balls, and pat each out into a 1/2 inch thick circle.
- Cut each circle into 4 triangular scones, and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake until golden brown, approximately 12 minutes.
Serve with butter and jam.
Yum!

(note: I don't have any cream right now, so I substituted a mixture of 2% milk and plain yogurt. It worked just fine).
This used to be my signature New Year's Day breakfast, paired with mimosas and good coffee. I've never been much of a drinker, so I was happy to get up earlier than the other revelers and help them face down their hangovers. Then, we'd all go hiking. Ah, the good old days! :)

* * *

SO- how many thumbs-ups do I need to catch up? LOL!

First of all, I wanted to share this artist's website- check out her lovely photography:
http://div.dyndns.org/photos/

Next, if you need to be taken down a notch, go here for some excellent insulting:
http://www.pangloss.com/seidel/Shaker/index.html
(Thou lumpish, hell-hated whey face!)

Here, cool Dads (and Moms, Grandfolks, Aunties, Uncles. . .) can find a variety of helpful resources on everything from frisbees to slot cars, hand shadows to skateboarding, juggling and model trains to hand shadows and ventriloquism:
http://www.fordads.com/cooldad.html

Finally, a thumbs-up goes to Born Free baby bottles. (They also make sippy cups, which I plan on getting later). They are made of plastic that is free of bisphenol A, which is a potentially harmful chemical found in all sorts of plastic goods. The alleged danger is controversial, but I've decided to try and reduce my family's exposure to bisphenal A, so I picked up some Born Free bottles for Babyman's occasional bottle of pumped breastmilk. There are more parts than our previous bottles had, because the Born Free bottles have a special valve. The valve works GREAT- much less leaking and burping with these bottles than with any other bottles I've tried. I'd especially recommend them for babies who use bottles frequently. note: Glass bottles are also free of bisphenol A (and all other unknown plastic substances that might be harmful), but glass is not recommended for breastmilk, only for formula.

* * *

I am going to get some work done. Maybe I'll be back later!

The snow has stopped. Sigh. It was lovely while it lasted!

catching up, and a fun link

Saturday, January 19, 2008


catching up, and a fun link
Current mood: working

Ahhh. The boys' Auntie came up from Charleston again today, and spirited Littleman and Sweetcheeks off to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the weekend. I still have to care for Babyman of course, but things are simpler and quieter around here, at least for a couple days. I've gotten a few things done, mostly office work that was getting backed up. I can't believe it is already time to prepare taxes, again. 1099s due this month, then corporate returns by mid March, and personal returns by mid April (though I try to just do it all together by the March deadline, if I can). I am very, very grateful for our accountant. The income tax with all it's complexities just SUCKS. If you don't know about the Fair Tax, look it up. It's a great idea. We need it. Please!

I'm behind on my thumbs-ups. I will post tomorrow (chances are I can do it before midnight!) and include a few of them to catch up. In the meantime, go play with this fun little doodler:
http://screamingduck.com/doodle.html
Enjoy!

just a note

Thursday, January 17, 2008


just a note
Current mood: blah

The snow and ice did not stick around. But I slept in, anyway. I feel guilty, but I just wasn't up for it this morning.

I did get a shower though! Yea! It felt good.

Also, this afternoon there was actually a long period of time when all 3 boys were napping. It was divine. I didn't sleep- too much else that needs doing- but I did get to do a variety of little things that I've been needing to do. For instance, I finally finished unloading the dishwasher. I've been working on that for 3 days, now. Seriously. I'd unload a few dishes, and have to go see to one of the boys. When I could get back to it I'd unload a few more, and the microwave would ding. Next opportunity, a few more. . . you get the idea. Now there is a sink full of three days worth of dirty dishes. . . I didn't actually manage to load the dishwasher today, just finish unloading. But it's a start.

I was going to mention in a blog post that my sweater I am knitting is going great- much faster than I'd anticipated. Just a couple more rows or so, and I will shape the armholes and be done with the back! (Then I'd start the front, then each of the two sleeves). However I've been stuck there for a week now, unable to pick it up and get any knitting done. So perhaps it will take a year to complete, after all. We will see. But anyhow, when I do get to work on it it's going great! So that's good. :)

I'm nodding off at the computer again. Maybe I can blog tomorrow during the day, so that my brain's not mush.

Snowy wishes, and the silent scream

Wednesday, January 16, 2008


Snowy wishes, and the silent scream
Current mood: stressed

Yay, snow! So pretty. . .I hope it doesn't get washed away before we awake in the morning. At the very least, it would be nice to have an excuse to sleep in rather than take Sweetcheeks to Montessori. OK, yes I admit: I am (guiltily) hoping they'll cancel school tomorrow. Even though I'm sure I'd have no problem driving there. And it would be better all around for Sweetcheeks to go to school. But I. Don't. Want. To get up early. And neither does Billy, which becomes a problem if Babyman demands my attention when Sweetcheeks has to be getting ready for school. Urgh. SO it would be nice if the ice does me a favor and sticks around just long enough for a snow day at school. We'll see.

Today was rough. Recently I was trying to explain to someone why it is that I have difficulty figuring out what I want, when asked. Decisions like what do I want to eat, would I rather do this or that, where would I like to go first. . . if the decision really is as simple as what I want, rather than what needs to be done, then I am at a loss. I just can't decide. The reason is, I realized, that I am just out of practice at meeting my own desires. Very out of practice. Quite simply, my entire life is about what other people want. (and need). Everything I think, decide and do is based on others. Just about everything. It's sort of a depressing thought. And when I do get the opportunity to make a decision for myself, it's just too much trouble. I am devoting all my brainpower toward everything else I am responsible for; don't trouble me with petty choices. Sigh.

Sometimes today the chaos around me would just morph into this wall of sound, surrounding me on all sides, moving and changing but losing all sense and time, and I'd be lost, penned there in the center, thinking that if I opened my mouth to scream nothing would come out.

But it wouldn't last long- with an effort I'd focus back in on some aspect of the chaos that needed my attention, and the juggling act would begin anew.

I am falling asleep at the keyboard. Good night!

baby news, one night on vacation, aquariums and a funny link

Tuesday, January 15, 2008


baby news, one night on vacation, aquariums and a funny link
Current mood: exhausted

Babyman is 2 months old! Today was his checkup, and everything looks great. He is a big boy, at over 13 lbs already, and strong. The pediatrician asked me if he had turned over yet, and I said nope. As she was turning him onto his stomach, she said it would be early for that, anyway. Lo and behold, he then flipped himself over onto his back! He's a genius! LOL. Little show-off. :)

Luckily I didn't have to get Sweetcheeks looked at, too- the intestinal bug he apparently had seems to be all resolved now. Thank goodness. It's no fun to be sharing a hotel bed with your 2 year old, and reach over to slide them back to their side of the bed (because by the laws of toddler physics, no matter how much space there is in the bed, small bodies are irresistibly attracted to larger ones), only to discover that they are lying in a puddle of poo. Yeah. Nothing like getting up at 3am to scrub your arms down, bathe your miserable child, strip a hotel bed and rearrange everyone's sleeping arrangements while still caring for an infant and a 4 year old who suddenly decides he is hungry. Especially when you're on vacation! Eh, Billy? Wow.

I forgot to do a thumbs-up for my last post. I'll go with the Gatlinburg Aquarium, or more accurately, "Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies". It isn't as large as the GA Aquarium here in Atlanta, nor as educational or creative (in my opinion) as the TN Aquarium in Chattanooga. However, the Gatlinburg Aquarium is my favorite for little kids. The facility is a manageable size, the exhibits are nicely presented and accessible to small folks (sometimes with "rocks" to climb on for a better look, sometimes with tanks that bulge or slant out of the wall so kids can look up inside), there are a lot of fish and creatures with a "cool" factor (like piranhas, sharks, sawfish, poison frogs, sea dragons. . .), the underwater tunnel is really neat, and there are some cool hands-on activities to experience. All in all, highly recommended for the little ones, and fun for the rest of the family as well.
Jellyfish in Gatlinburg Aquarium:

(photo by yours truly)

Tonight's thumbs-up is for this little moment caught on film:
http://uncommonpics.com/pic-889-Baby-needs-milk
LOL!

a couple great hikes

Monday, January 14, 2008


a couple great hikes
Current mood: drained

Well, where to begin? Besides normal busyness, we also took a fun little family trip to Gatlinburg for a few days. What with all that going on, my poor little blog has been neglected. (We did have wireless at the hotel, but the signal was wonky whenever I managed to squeeze a second in on the computer). I had a nice time, though it was a bit exhausting. The hiking (predictably) was the best part. We hit two trails in the Smokies: Porter's Creek Trail and a Nature Trail behind the historicNoah "Bud" Ogle Cabin. Both were excellent family hikes, not being too strenuous or technical, and having some interesting history to tell. Porter's Creek is also very, very beautiful. (It probably helps that all the waters were high from recent rains when we were there). The trail there has many lovely places to stop and enjoy the creek, plus a great many signs of the settlers that lived in the area long ago- most notably a cemetery and some historic farm buildings. I hear that in the Spring, it is perhaps the most gorgeous wildflower hike in the Smokies. The Nature Trail we hiked was also really nice, with interesting evidence of settlement. There is of course the historic cabin and barn at the beginning, but along the trail you also find wonderful stone walls, an old foundation and ornamental boxwoods (now grown up all straggly, in an enchanting sort of way) and an impressive little flume with a (still turning) small grist mill. The riverside back there is beautiful. I do hear however, that this trail has a lot of poison ivy in the summertime. Come prepared with knowledge of the history and habits that shaped the area, and bring snacks or lunch (pack it ALL out, my friends). Don't forget your camera! Enjoy!

* * *

I have a variety of things I'd like to blog about, but I. Am. Tired. And I have to get up early to take Sweetcheeks to Montessori. So. Tired.
'Night!

great restaurant, and expert musings

Thursday, January 03, 2008


great restaurant, and expert musings
Current mood: tired

I'm starting with today's thumbs-up: Taqueria Los Hermanos Mexican restaurant in Lilburn GA, at the intersection of Indian Trail Rd and Lawrenceville Hwy. Yum. Big YUM. There are very few restaurants that really impress me, (especially reasonably priced ones) but I love this place. It's not much to look at- just a joint in a run-down strip mall in suburbia- but the food is great and so are the people. If you're ever over that way, check it out! (note: looks like they have a Tucker location, too!)

We had dinner there tonight. YUM.

* * *

Recently I had a fortune cookie tell me: "An expert is one who knows so much about so little". This is of course true, but phrased like that it's not terribly impressive, is it? Then again, one could be a "Jack of all trades, master of none". (Me all over). That's not terribly impressive, either. One minute I think the expert is in a better position, the next minute it seems the jack has the better idea. So, who is better equipped? Who will feel more rewarded? And why am I spending valuable brain power on silly questions like these??

Maybe because I am falling asleep at the keyboard, here. Time to get ready for bed.

Brr, Happy New Year, knitting and boring you to tears

Wednesday, January 02, 2008


Brr, Happy New Year, knitting and boring you to tears
Current mood: cold

Whew, here I am! I am actually blogging today! (Aren't all the new internet verbs fun? "google", "IM", "blog". . .) It's a good day to sit inside and blog- the high temperature today is little more than freezing, and it's WINDY. Around here, this is polar bear weather. Unbearable weather. COOOOLD weather. And without any snow to make it fun, I'll just as soon stay inside, thank-you-very-much.

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a nice celebration and are looking forward to a joyful, prosperous 2008. Billy and the boys played at the park, burned sparklers after dark, watched ET and stayed up too late. I was nursing at midnight, and Billy was changing a diaper. Cheers! LOL. We all had a toast and went to bed.

One of my Christmas gifts this year was 6 skeins of lusciously soft, colorful yarn. I thought of many different things I could make, but nothing seemed right- I wanted to do a bigger project like a sweater for the boys, but the colorway is really a bit girly for them. I've never knit a project larger than that- when I made a sweater for Littleman, it seemed like it would never end. (I did finish it though, and it turned out pretty nice). After much pondering and flipping through pattern books, I've decided to be brave: I am attempting a full, adult-size sweater for myself! I only hope I actually finish it before next winter rolls around. :) In the meantime, it sure feels nice to knit, especially with this luscious soft wool blend. Mmmm.

Yesterday we started the new year with biscuits, apple cake and hot chocolate for breakfast (a special treat for the boys!) and then we went out to visit some good friends and share the traditional New Year's Day meal of black-eye peas (for luck/protection) and collard greens (for money). Since I didn't have time to purchase and cook them myself, we swung by Whole Foods and bought our dinner off the hot bar. Yummmy! With a few other things I bought, and some goodies from our hosts, it was a delicious spread. Littleman and Sweetcheeks had a wild fun time playing with our friends' boys, who are all very close in age. It felt great to hang out with adults! Though I must admit, I do have a tendency to run my mouth on and on in these situations. . . I've always been rather talkative, but I think I'm worse since having kids. I read a blog post (at http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/ ) in which the author (a mom to six kids!) was on a trip to NY without her family, and called her husband to see how he was faring with the kids. Her husband yammered on and on about some minor detail at home, finally thinking to ask how her trip was going. She wondered if she did that to others when she'd been cooped up at home caring for the kids, and realized the answer is a resounding YES. Well, I can certainly relate. I'll have to remember in the future that unfortunately, most details of my day-to-day existence are not very interesting. Better to leave them unsaid in adult conversation! Listening makes for better conversation anyway. Oh, well. So in hindsight, if y'all read this, sorry for yammering on about myself most of the evening! LOL. Y'all are so sweet! We had a great time.

Right now, the boys are napping (babyman too, on my chest). We have a birthday party to attend this evening, which officially begins in 1/2 hour. I need to start getting ready, so that we have a prayer of leaving quickly once the boys awake. We'll see how that goes!

Thumbs-up today to the web site www.knittingpatterncentral.com, a one-stop shop for free knitting patterns! Look up whatever you're interested in and find a variety of free patterns. There's a crochet pattern site, too!