COMMUNICATION

I used to read constantly, with at least 3 or 4 books a week finished each week.  Lately, I have gone in spurts.  I am getting very picky about what I read.  With the internet giving me so much available, a book has to reach out and grab me.  I have read 2 of those in the past week.

I love true and fictional history, always coming away having learned something.  Last week's topic was slavery, but this week began with a book about a child with Asperbergers Syndrome.  I wasn't sure I wanted to read it, but the author's name drew me in.  I learned more about myself and others than I did about autism.

As I read about this teen with an IQ of 152, who could not stand unexpected noise or changes in his world, I began to empathize.  He explained how his heart began to race and how filled with anxiety he became.  I feel the same way every time Catie has her friends in the house!    He explained how texture affected his mood and sense of well being.  Is it not the same when I walk into a shop filled with yarn and must fondle  each skein and soak up the colors?  Or is it so different when he must feel order in his life, as I stress about the latest mess left behind?

The more I read, the more I became convinced that I had felt exactly like this boy so many times.  I just have a greater ability to control my response.   All people become uncomfortable about SOME things in their life.  We just all have our own ways of protesting what makes us feel stressed.  I read about autistic children having "meltdowns" when they are overwhelmed and thought about how I deal with those same feelings.  Sometimes I just have to retreat and make all the activity stop for a while to find my inner peace.

Life has become so filled with noise.  We are bombarded with so much stimuli in our lives today.  The media, gives us news traveling the world in real time.  We know so much, that it is at times, too much.  Our senses become overwhelmed.   We are so busy that we are too busy to enjoy silence.  We can't even find silence.

We no longer stop for an idle conversation with a neighbor, but send them an email instead.  The cell phones we carry ring constantly, keeping us from even the peaceful moments while driving or shopping.  I quietly listen to the conversations of my children and grandchildren and realize how different their world is from the one I grew up in.  Is it better?  In many ways, I think not.   They sit in class posting comments to the internet on their Ipods, more involved in their social lives than what is going on in the classroom.  What will they truly take from their high school years?

They come home to cable TV shows that depict lives that for most, they will never experience, where language is foul and there are few boundaries.    I compare it with the shows I grew up with,  like "Father Knows Best" and "Lassie", where normal families lived just like I did.  I watched them with my grandparents and no one worried if the content was going to be shocking.

 We all go to our laptops where the world is waiting and receive instant responses, often from strangers.  I wonder how it will affect their communication skills in real relationships.  I admit to experiencing the "high" of playing video games that seem to reach out and grab you until you realize you have wasted hours of time in search of the thrill of "winning".   However, I didn't win because I am really not playing with anyone but myself.

In my mid fifties, I think back to my grandmother sitting at her kitchen table quietly writing her letters each and every day from her quiet vacation cottage. (Photo at right)  She kept in touch with everyone all summer with an old fashioned letter.  The 2 or 3 TV channels that were available kept her informed of the local news every night after dinner and the rest of the time was spent gazing at the lake, visiting friends and enjoying family.  Her life was so very peaceful.    We have come a long way, but I am not sure it was in the right direction.

Spring Break Is Over

In recent years, Spring break has become very different from when I was a kid.  We just looked forward to a week off school.  It was the very unusual and lucky child who traveled.  College kids planned trips, usually to Florida,  if they could afford them.  Here in Eaton Rapids, it is almost a ritual.  


I listened as each kid talked about where they were going and found many high school students were going on their own.  Parents had booked cruises, extensive vacations and I began to wonder about the supposed "economic crunch" that is reported daily in the media.  Where does this money come from?


If you listen closely, you realize that it is an Income Tax "return" thing.  Tax checks arrive and vacations begin.  All I can think of is how my dear son in law, Paul would cringe at the thought of people allowing the government to do their "saving" for their vacation.  It makes me chuckle.  


I sat and read the postings on Facebook for about 6 weeks prior, as the kids counted down the days and looked at the photos they posted.  Everyone arrived home safe and sound and it is back to the daily grind.  I spent my week happily home with Michael and Catie for company.  Easter dinner was a real treat as we all headed to the local Chinese Buffet.  No cooking for me and the kids loved it.


Mike and I enjoyed a couple of days of going out for breakfast.  You see, we are a perfect match.  Breakfast may be at noon or 1pm and that is an early start to our day.  We really have to start doing it about 12 hours later, as in 1AM.  We would both be raring to go!


Joe and Joey headed for Kansas, complete with the large black Lab that Joey has bonded with.  "Molly" had a spot in the backseat of the Trailblazer, but preferred to ride with her face next to Joe's and paws on his shoulders.  Andy and Christina headed out to Virginia for a week in the mountains. I loved hearing about how they had to go out to a main road for cell phone reception and survived the week without internet.  They came back a bit tanned and looking rested and happy.


Spring break is just what is says....a break from the routine and we enjoyed ours.

Joining the Pack?

"Bye-Bye" is the name Joe calls the remaining puppy.  After Mike took the little male home and named him Chief, the little girl was so lonely.  She just decided to join the pack!  Suddenly she is running behind the rest and blending in like she is going to stay......NOT!   Sunday, she curled up for a rest on Joe's chest and even Frankie decided to cuddle up.  Only Wendy is missing from this photo (she was curled up with Andy). 

 

"Bye-Bye" is awful cute!

Freedom Week

With my income tax mailed and years of filing sitting nicely in an organized file cabinet, I woke each morning this week,  to a sense of freedom.  Gone was the guilt of passing those boxes of papers each day, knowing that I "should do something" with them.  Amazingly, probably 3/4 of it was trash!  As I watched the Trashman take it away on Thursday morning, I felt an evil little smile creep on my face.  GO!  Guilt, be gone!

Ok, there is still work to be done, but at least I know what is left and WHERE it is!  Mikey asked for his birth certificate on Thursday and I was able to walk to the file folder.  That is a miracle in itself that only my children would appreciate.  I didn't get the project finished until Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning was like waking to sunshine, regardless of the weather.  Although the rest of my week was filled doctor appointments, errands and transporting people, I just did not mind.  I as ready to be out of the house for a change.

When I drove to Albion to pick up my tax return that was being checked before mailing, I could not resist going into a little resale shop next door to the accountant.  It was THE absolute best resale shop I have ever entered.  Everything was neat, clean and well displayed and I would defy anyone to leave without a purchase. I sifted through at least 1000 metal cookie cutters to find the perfect ones for Cat and Tate.  At 50 cents each, I found wonderful antique Halloween and Christmas shapes.

On Thursday I wore myself out.  I had an early (for me) appointment in Lansing, had to drop Joey at work and then a later afternoon appointment.  I decided it would be foolish to drive back and forth, so I would spend the day in Lansing.  I thought it would be enjoyable.....WRONG!   After my first appointment, I stopped by my favorite Threadbear, just to visit the people and fondle the yarn.  I read some patterns, chatted and made a small purchase.  I still had 3 hours before my next appointment and the pain in my shoulder radiated down my right arm until I actually thought about laying down in the back seat of my car for a nap.

Maybe lunch would help?  After cruising through the Taco Bell drive-thru, I munched on a taco and drove downtown to Rae's Yarn Boutique in search of a knitting needle that Threadbear was out of.  Rae didn't have the needle either so I spent some of my time reading and chose a pattern, bought a small knitting notebook for notes as I knit and faced the fact that I still had an hour left.  This is when pain becomes darned inconvenient!  I longed for the days when I could shop all day without a care, since 2 yarn shops had me reduced to exhaustion.

What to do?  Threadbear is always my 2nd home!  I headed back, found a nice comfy chair in a quiet corner and got a book.  There I found the rest that I needed to get me through until my next appointment.  How many stores have created such a presence in the community that a patron knows they can just go there to rest?  It made me realize how truly different they are from other businesses and why I drive the 17 miles to shop there.  I know I am always welcome, even if it is just to rest.

On to my appointment and dinner with Joe, finally getting home after 9:30pm.  I have never been so glad to see my recliner, my computer, my knitting basket and my cup of coffee.  Have I become a recluse?  Nope, just a woman in pain.  It made me realize just how much this injury has affected my life.  Maybe it is time to regroup a bit and find ways to enjoy myself, yet get out of the house this spring.

I chose to make a Friday hair appointment and after a cut and color, emerged feeling at least a year younger!  The kids all complimented me as I walked in the door.  That felt nice.  Mikey and his roommates were rooting through the crawl space, in search of 'treasures" and playing with the remaining male puppy, which went home with them.  Make my day!  His name is now "Chief"  and he has a wonderful family.  I am sure he is one happy dog.

Plans for next week?  My "To Do" list will be equal parts of "should do" and "want to do"!

Countdown to April

It is the roar of the lion that we felt as March arrived in 2010, with snow to blizzard levels over this past week.  I have always hated February with a passion and in the past few years, March has now linked itself to my list of time to get through.  February was always dreary and cold, Christmas over, winter has grown old and I admit to being a grouchy soul by February. 

I sit here writing, trying to ignore the obvious, but knowing the post is ridiculous without mentioning that March claims a corner of all our hearts.  We all try to get through the days of March, working hard not to remember it's sadness.  I found a book that my friend Tana gave me on the first anniversary of Karen's passing and realized that I am going to put it out.  It is a "Happy Karen" book, complete with a laughing photo on the cover and intended to record only happy memories.  I will stop and write one as the spirit moves and read the ones that others have left.  What a thoughtful gift it was.

THE TAX MAN COMMETH! 

 Having neglected to file my tax returns on time, during this bad period of my life, I find myself adding tax returns to my list of reasons to hate this time of year.  At first, it didn't seem like much, since I have always been pretty good at numbers, then I woke up.  I always wondered why tax services were packed with people paying others to do this simple stuff.  LOLOL....ROFLMAO!

Now I get it!  If you are filing a simple return, anyone can do it.  If you are itemizing your deductions, you either buy the current tax software or get ready to read and read and read.....then calculate and read some more!  I bought a book on taxes and then returned to the bookstore and bought another one.  The best line of all was "Congress passes tax laws that are so difficult to understand that the IRS employees cannot explain them or interpret them."  True story!

I have learned to dial 1-800-829-1040 in my sleep.  That is the Tax Line Question phone number where employees recite a list of questions for you to answer, then tell you they are either NOT SURE or MAYBE you could claim the deduction.  I am not lying!  My favorite answer to a question regarding a business expense recently was "only if you can get a letter from your employer stating they will FIRE you if you do not have a cell phone."   Ok....I am sure most employers will be willing to write that letter.

I have been accused in the past of having Attention Deficit Disorder.....my family Doc says "If they had discovered it in the 1950's, I am sure you would have been the poster child."  Funny.....until you try to converse with the IRS, calculate and read in the Chin Family Nuthouse! 

Yesterday I reached for migraine meds as I heard a knock on the door.  Frankie, Josie, Rocky, Wendy and Lucy began to bark like the pack of wild dogs they are, the puppies begin to squeal and yip as one of Andy's pack arrives.    The dogs chase the offender down the stairs and I settle back into my numbers as the phone begins to ring.  I can ignore it.  Now, my cell phone rings so I know it is probably Catie.  By the time I find the phone, it has gone to voice mail.  The home phone rings again........Sheesh!  It is Joe wanting to know what is for dinner.  I have a few sarcastic answers. 

Today I got up at 5am, convinced that if I start early I may be able to avoid some of the confusion of the afternoon.  It was a good thing since Catie informed me that she has a half day of school and needs to be picked up at noon....."Oh, I forgot to tell you I am bringing a friend with me."   Of course she is. 

Does anyone have some Adderol or perhaps a padded room?

Starting Knitting Projects

Every day is filled with new patterns that excite me and make me want to run for my needles.  I never have a problem starting projects, but finishing them is another story.  Of course, Christmas deadlines help me to get rid of some of the UFOs (unfinished objects) in my knitting basket.

Rob (my favorite yarn pimp) has been chasing me around with the red "swing coat" lately.  He made me try it on and then made me add a HUGE ball of yarn in the tummy area to show me what Cat would look like pregnant in this gorgeous jacket.  He just happens to be offering a class to make it and reminded me that I have already bought the yarn for another project for Cat (yet not started). 

Frugalista!

I love that word!  It comes from a new Target commercial and the definition is a woman who loves style, good quality and is frugal.  Now who wouldn't want to be called a "Frugalista"??

I admit the commercial made me want to go shopping.  I wanted all new clothes, accessories and a whole new household full of cool stuff.  Then I woke up.

ONIONS?

This morning I received one of the garden variety emails.....and I DO mean "garden variety".  Read it below:

ONIONS FOR COLLECTING THE FLU VIRUS

In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this Doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu. Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it and many died.  The doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy.

When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home, (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn’t believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and placed it under the microscope.


She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the virus, therefore, keeping the family healthy. Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser in AZ. She said that several years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were many of her customers.

The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work.. (And no, she is not in the onion business.) The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home.

Immediately, I began to research online to see if this could have even a grain of truth to it.  Google had a large number of entries about people receiving this email and all had been posted this week.  Now I did find all the benefits of eating onions, from preventing diabetes to helping asthma, but no one could actually verify this Flu story. 

Since every time I get the Flu shot, I get sick, I have been debating whether or not to get it.  This year we get to take 2 shots and I think I will get them both on the same day so I can get real sick.  At least I won't have to listen to Joe tell me "You should have gotten the Flu shot" when I get the flu.   I know I am going to be sick either way. 

Missing Mom

It has been 25 years today since I said goodbye to my mother.  Although I try not to focus on sad anniversary days, I found her in my thoughts today.  They were pleasant thoughts, but each time, I realized how much I missed her.

I had the pleasure of having one of those mother-daughter relationships that just wasn't ever difficult.  My memories are of her teaching me her love for reading as we spent mornings in the library and afternoons curled up with good books.  Most of my life, my mother was curled in the corner of the couch with a good book.  We would make lunch, take it in the living room, each find a spot and just sit and read.  Only she could pick out a book that I would love.

I remember summer days of gathering with my girlfriends while my mother opened the little cedar box filled with beautiful colors of embroidery thread.  She would sit down and show us each new stitch, patiently, and then we would sit under the apple tree and embroider all day.  Maybe I learned my love of color, which is now enjoyed playing with yarns, from my mother.  I loved being the one to open a new hank of thread and see the effect of it on the canvas of my new creation.  Not much different than when I begin to knit each new project today, I guess.

She loved her dogs.  Recent years included Jewel, Mickey and Little Bit who lasted until Mom's last day.  That dog stayed by her side and cried along with us when she pased away.  I don't think I could live without dogs, but I learned that from her too.  Animals just love you unconditionally and I learned how to love them.

I think of her delight when my children were small and they would come to visit her.  She always had some candy surprise for them, a little waterpaint book and something extra for each one.  They knew she would have it and couldn't wait to get to Grandma's house.  She and Joey shared Inspector Gadget cartoons and to this day, I don't know what they loved about it, but they did.  She always called him her "Rotten Little Kid" and loved the T shirt that she found and bought for him with the inscription. 

She put up with all of us, never getting too upset, no matter what we did.  She served our friends cookies and hot chocolate on cold winter mornings, as they picked us up to walk to the bus.  She put up with kids in the house always, impromptu parties organized by both her husband and children, sons who got into more than mischief and never seemed to lose her patience.  No wonder Dave and I call her

Saint Shirley!

The more I sit here tonight, missing her, the more I realize that she loved her family more than anything in life.  Yes, she belonged to the PTA, worked with Cub Scouts and Girls Scouts, was kind to neighborhood kids and animals, but what she really loved was her family.  No wonder I miss her so much.

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE?

My first reaction when I heard the news of Obama's award was something like...."It can't be!"   Then when I knew it was actually true, my reaction changed to "WHY?????"

Then brother Dave called to see if I had heard the news.  We were both anxious to get home and turn on the news so we could hear the reason for the award.  As we both drove toward home, we tried to think of what in the world the reason could possibly be.  We came to the same conclusion, which was, Obama hasn't done anything yet!

Yes, he has apologized to world leaders for being American.  He has canceled the National Day of Prayer, he has given out $4170 to 320,000 people in the Cash for Clunkers program, spent 15.2 billion on the tax credits for First Time Home Buyers and.....Hmmm, what else?

At a time when the world is a more dangerous place and the President appears disengaged with foreign affairs, the Norwegians have done it again. First Al Gore, then Jimmy Carter, and now Barack Obama.   Is there a pattern here with Democrats?   I decided to do some research to understand the Nobel Peace Prize and how it is awarded.  It was disillusioning. 

First of all, the nomination was made in February 2009, just 2 weeks into the Presidency.  No one can say that President Obama had done anything to earn the nomination.  Now, 9 months later, the reason is officially given as for his efforts to bring peace.  (It is still interesting to note that at nomination time, he had not yet made any efforts.)

As I researched online, every article told of the "GASPS" and "AMAZEMENT" of the American public.  It was greeted with "glee" by Obama critics, as they laughed. 

President Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday because the judges found his promise of disarmament and diplomacy too good to ignore.  The five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee — four of whom spoke to The Associated Press, said awarding Obama the peace prize could be seen as an early vote of confidence intended to build global support for the policies of his young administration.

So what is the Nobel Peace Prize?  To quote Wikipedia:

According to Alfred Nobel's will, the Peace Prize should be awarded "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses." 
Alfred Nobel's will stated that the prize should be awarded by a committee of five people elected by the Norwegian Parliament. Norway and Sweden were at that time still in union, and with Sweden responsible for all foreign policy.

  Oh, that's right....Norway is a Socialist country!    You can tell they didn't consult any Americans!

  As I was researching online, I typed the words "Is Obama...."  Before I could finish typing the Google site which always pops suggestions, came up with "Is Obama the AntiChrist?"  I could NOT resist clicking on it.  There were 561,000 sites claiming he was.  Maybe he should go to Norway where he would be loved.

Not feeling the love.

Catie and Puppies....Who makes a bigger mess?

Catie actually claims she is not the biggest Piggy in the house.  I decided to take photos to prove my point.  When we couldn't find enough dishes to set the table, we went in search and found them in Catie's space, complete with food!
Every chair in the house has some of Catie's wardrobe.  She has to travel the house to get dressed in the morning. 

Then if Catie isn't enough to pick up after, JOE'S dogs love to pay me back for leaving them alone in the house during the day.  Each time I leave I wonder what they will do to me this time.  One of the puppies has worked his way into everyone's heart and is especially mischevious.  Yesterday I came home to find the mess below:

They couldn't be satisfied with just tearing up newspapers, but had to begin chewing on a hardcover book that was put in the newspaper pile.  They must have liked it since they chose to pull a second book out of the shelf above and eat half of the cover.  Joe's conclusion?  As usual, it was MY fault!  I should have known better than to put them within their reach.  He reminds me daily that we have a pack of 2 yr old children. 

Believe me, my 2 yr olds were never this bad!  They learned quickly that when Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!  These puppies don't care....they laugh at me!

Move it to Lose it?

I have been hoping that if I ate less, I would lose weight.  It apparently doesn't work that way.   I use all the willpower I ever have used and my weight remains....pretty much the same.   In this house, it is torture to try not to eat.  Joe is forever in the kitchen cooking up something wonderful.  I haven't decided if it became his hobby because it wasn't MINE, or if he really did enjoy it.  Either way, it works for me.

Secondly, I believe I have inherited my passion for sugar.  I would rather eat a sweet roll, cake, Pop Tart or a bowl of Frosted Flakes than anything else in the world.  Even when you keep your consumption down, those are not diet foods. 

I have come to the conclusion that I must move in order to lose.  Knitting doesn't count.  Since I am not in the physical shape to do much excercise, I just may have to buy new clothes.

Time to Relax

Tomorrow (or later today, actually) I will kick back and knit most of the day.  Yes, I will take care of nominal household responsibility, but the major portion of my day is going to be spent in my chair with my knitting in one hand and a Coke in the other. 

Getting up early is not my favorite thing to do.  Ok, that is the understatement of the year.  I hate getting up early and I always have.  My brother bounds out of bed, out of the shower and actually whistles in the morning, just like my Dad used to.  As my Mom used to say, "When Dave gets up, the world gets up."   I didn't get that gene.

I had to be at the Dr's office in Lansing by 9am today and since I move very slowly in the morning, that means I have to get up by about 7.  You can be sure that I would never have taken that appointment, if it were not the ONLY one left in the month of October. 

Joe took perverse delight in helping me to be up on time.  I know he did.  Then he left for work and actually called me to try to converse on his way to work.  Please!  Until I have had at least 2 cups of coffee, I don't want to talk to God. 

Unfortunately, I am not smart enough to come home and take a nap.  I have this guilt thing that only lazy people sleep during the day  (mornings don't count).  So instead I went on an all day hunt for a special yarn for a surprise gift.  I had to find a brand that had a number of colors that all went together.  That was good for 3 yarn stores.  By the time Joe suggested dinner together, I was ready for my couch. 

Once I got in my special little spot which is MY corner of the couch (or as I like to think of it, Mona's Command Center) I was in heaven.   I feel like I can run my world from that spot.  I have my knitting, my computer, my TV and my phone.  Food and coffee are  only steps away.  Why would I want to leave?

So yes, it is 3:34 am and once again, I am still up.  I will retire soon, turn off the phone and sleep until I want to get up tomorrow.  Life is good. 

The only thing that could wreck my day, are dogs.  The puppies have a passion for chewing kntiting needles and Josie and Rocky are holding lessons in how to tear up a ball of yarn.  Tonight I found one of the new balls I bought, absolutely destroyed and in THIER blanket! 

Sunday Ramblings

It is only 2:52am and I am thinking about going to bed already.  I have been on a string of nights that are spent knitting and listening to TV shows that I have taped, knowing that I cannot fall asleep.  I can take a prescription sleeping pill and look you in the eye an hour later.  What to do?

Ok, I reduced the coffee (a little bit) today.  I love the peaceful hours of the night and I suspect it is a subconscious choice to be awake when the house is quiet.  Even Tate and Alexis finally stopped yipping and fell asleep by midnight.  They were unhappy at being locked out of my bedroom tonight and making a LOT of noise.  Andy stuck it out till midnight, watching TV with me and Catie finally said "Grandma?" for the last time about 11pm.  So it is now peaceful....quiet.  I can play Farkle, check my Fish tanks on Facebook, read my email and knit.  I do not have to move or answer a single human being. 

Today, I was helping Justin with a paper and as we were reading through some research, on capital punishment.   I came aross a quote by Winston Churchhill. 

"The mood and temper of the public in regard to the treatment of crime and criminals is one of the most unfailing tests of any country. . . . [They] mark and measure the stored-up strength of a nation, and are the sign and proof of the living virtue within. " 

In the next paragraph I read that 92% of all humans executed come from  4 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, China and the US.  It does make you wonder about the company we keep and who we are.

The more I read, the more I realized that we are funny thinkers in some ways.  Conservatives like me are have strong opinions on how criminals should be sentenced.  We don't believe in coddling them, but many like me cannot agree with taking a life.  Yet the article pointed out that there wasn't much difference in the votes of conservatives vs liberals on this issue!  People made their decisions from a deeper feeling than their general political views.  Those same people who liked the death penalty believed we should feed the poor.  They had a conscience, just different values on this one issue.

I get to go to college!  I have Andy, Christina and Justin taking all these cool classes and love when they share what they learn or even better, ask for help.  No one enjoys doing research like I do and my horizons are being expanded by helping them learn.  Andy has turned into a good writer and seems to be keeping up on his own these days.  I miss him asking for help.  Catie shocked me and composed AND typed her own paper this week.  She had places to go and people to see and no time to wait for me.

I finished the first baby hat tonight!  So, I don't want to start another project at 3:10 am and I think I will go to bed.

Fall Thoughts

I bought Cider and donuts at Quality Dairy last night and I knew it was finally Fall.  Ok, it's not the Cider Mill, but it still tasted darned good.  I had to go shopping for new socks last night because my toes were cold and needed a sweater tonight.  Those are all good signs for this woman who hates the heat.

Andy was yelling at me Thursday morning when the thermostat read 65 degrees and I would not turn on the heat.  It felt so good to me!  I am already enjoying opening the window for the first time in 6 months.  The feeling of the cool night air as I fall asleep is welcome relief from the tossing and turning on a hot night. 

In addition to the basket full of half finished Christmas gifts I am knitting, I decided to start knitting little sweaters for the Chihuahuas.  You just knit the leg of a sock and add holes for legs....and VOILA!  You have a Chihuahua coat.  Hopefully that  population will soon be reduced. 

We chose to name the male and female according to personality.  At left top,  is Alexis.  She is adorable, smart and fiesty.  She will take on Josie and give her a good fight.    The little white guy is Tate, who loves to bounce and play until he wants something and then he has a VERY loud little voice that stops immediately when you pick him up.  I remember a little baby boy like that!  Bear is promised and has a waiting list of people who want Wendy's little boy.  We will miss him, but hopefully he will be leaving this weekend. 

It was a busy Friday, as we attacked the house today.  With the Michigan/Michigan State game on Saturday, I know Joe NOT be helping with housework, so he pitched in to help me today.  Catie came home to find us both working like dogs and knew she was in trouble.  She didn't even argue since she had big plans for the evening and is smarter than that.  Andy, on the other hand.....not so smart. 

We had discovered that there were no clean towels and the ones on the laundry room floor did not account for even half of what we have.  It was time to go IN TO ANDY'S ROOM.  Below are the towels I found.....

Now, consider that the laundry basket is about 3 feet high and the towels extend above it at least another foot and a half.  How long can it take to accumulate that many dirty towels?    Andy is the cleanest boy in Eaton Rapids, uses multipe towels per shower and I think doing laundry is against his religeon.  The rest of his laundry was found in the middle of the driveway in multiple garbage bags where they will stay. 

After a long day of cleaning, Joe prepared homemade salsa and fried fresh tortilla chips for me to take along to my Friday Night Knits.  Love that man and so do all my knitting friends.  It has come to the point where I get a cheer from all the women when I walk in and they are waiting to see what Joe sent them this week.

My blanket is almost complete and just in time to keep me warm this winter.  It will be the first thing that I have knit and kept for myself.  If anyone else wants one, you can put in an order because this one is mine!  However, I am open to making another one. 

I have a method that worked for me last year and I am trying it again this year.  I start about a million projects and whatever is in my basket by the end of October gets finished for Christmas or thrown away.  I start the New Year with no knitting guilt.  Knitters are forever embarassed about the unfinished objects (UFOs).   With this method, I can proudly call myself  The Queen of UFOs and feel no guilt. 

Right now in the basket are: 

• 
  
  A Michigan scarf for Joe (3/4 finished...maybe tomorrow),
  
  
  
• 
  
  a scarf and ONE matching glove for Cat,
  
  
  
• 
  
   a pair of socks for Carol (98% done),
  
  
  
• 
  
  one pair of socks for unknown (just have to close the toes),
  
  
  
• 
  
  a single beautiful pink sock,
  
  
  
• 
  
  a single pretty purple sock that is tight on my foot  (so it needs a small owner),
  
  
  
• 
  
  1/2 a sock for Joey,
  
  
  
• 
  
   materials for Christmas stockings for  the various children
  
  
  
• 
  
   a hat to replace the one Cat lost last year (3/4 done)
  
  
  
• 
  
  Sweater for Joey knit, torn out and re-started
  
  
  

For some reason I feel the need to keep the stuff I "plan" to work with nearby and I have to clean up my mess every morning as I settle in to my favorite chair and play in my yarn. This is my command center! I can supervise kids, watch tv, surf the net and knit a sweater, all without moving. I love my little corner of the world.

Now of course, the yarn is another story.  I began organizing the stuff I WASN'T working with right now and took over the closet in our new den.   I couldn't resist taking the photo when I finished.   I need more shelves because I participate in swaps, gaining more and more yarn.  I also buy on sale and stash away things I WILL eventually knit. 

The junk in the bottom corner is a bunch of baskets and bags that are waiting for cubes.  Tomorrow is a good day to head to Target for cubes, since Joe will be yelling GO BLUE all afternoon and never miss me.  Fall works like Spring for me and I get this huge urge to clean and organize and playing with yarn is more fun than washing windows!

I won't have to clean, Andy will be doing the laundry, Joe watching the game and Catie is off to a party.  Maybe I should just get a cup of coffee and knit!

Homecoming Dance 2009

Yesterday was a flurry of hair spray, credit card and cash register "CHA CHING" sounds. and I enjoyed every moment of it. 

Wasn't it only yesterday when I had 2 little girls getting ready for their first dance?  How did those 20 years slip by? 

The perfect dress was just waiting on a hanger at the local department store.  I could not believe when Catie walked in the door, straight to the dress and said "This one, Grandma."  I bought it FAST.  That was too easy.  Then we went looking for jewelery...and shoes.....and on to the beauty shop.  It takes a LONG time to pile all those curls up, but the result was worth it. 

Her girlfriends came over to compare dresses, giggle and take part in the 100's of photos. You just can't stop taking pictures of pretty girls.   We finally let her leave for the dance with warnings not to kiss the boys.  Then we waited for 11pm when the real action would begin.

You have to remember being a teenager after the dance to know the amount of telephone calls, noise, screams and general noise that went on until FIVE AM!  Joe had steak dinners ready for Catie and Nicole when they came home hungry from dancing the night away.  We had hoped they would fill their stomachs and go to sleep.  How dumb we are.

At 4am I sent a rather nasty text msg to Catie.....something about "DO NOT OPEN YOUR BEDROOM DOOR AGAIN!  BE QUIET!"  Since Andy was due to roll in from work soon, it was almost time to start the day and NO ONE had slept.  Love the Chin house on Saturday nights.

Are We Racists?

I was reading postings on Facebook and an old friend had posted this link.  The writer blasts those who attended the recent protest in Washington DC as racists.

http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/i-remember-when-they-were-hooded

I did not see ONE racist sign.  I saw 78,000 people using their Constitutional rights to show their disagreement with President Obama.  They were respectful and orderly and there was not much press coverage given, since they did not require massive police involvement.  RACISM comes into play when people assume that every protest is racially motivated.

Our President is black.  We know that.  That does not mean we have to agree with everything he says and does or be called racist.   I wish I could have attended this protest.

If You Wonder Why I Knit.....

Everyone knows that I can be found with needles in hand most of the time.  Knitting and knitting away my days.  I stop only when I have to or when my hand and arm ache (I usually prop it on a pillow).  Not only have I found a wonderful way to create art while relaxing in my chair, but I found a new social life through the knitters in the Lansing area.  I have met so many women who share my hobby. 

I loved to scrapbook until it became too painful with my physical problems.  I just could not stand or sit in a regular chair long enough to enjoy it.  I wasn't even allowed to RIDE the lawnmower any more and it was pretty frustrating.  This report from Mayo Clinic makes it all make sense:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4917058n

Stay At Home Mom

ANDY:  "MOM!  Do you think I can get my birthday present early?"
CATIE:  "GRANDMA!  I need a ride!"
MIKE:  "MOM!  Got any ideas where I can get a trailer to move....TODAY?"
JOEY:  "MOM!  I need to talk to you."
CAT:  "MOM!  Are you busy?"
ANDY:  "MOM....How about if I go buy my present and you pay me back on my birthday?"
CATIE:  "GRANDMA, I want to go see Tami's new puppies.....NOW, pleeeeze!"


Oh, oh.....email from Joe........Can I call his Dr and then pick up his prescriptions?  I guess that is right after I get some laundry done.....Hmmmm, need someone to carry it downstairs and then back up when it is clean.  Nobody around when I need them.  Guess I won't be doing laundry!

Phone is ringing again....promised to do some volunteer work.  Have to work on it tomorrow. 
Phone is ringing again.....Andy is now BUYING his birthday gift...."You don't mind do ya MOM?"
Phone is ringing again....Too busy to answer, in line at Rite Aid trying to get Joe's prescription.....PHONE WON"T STOP RINGING!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaa!

Mike and Joey are both just hitting re-dial!  Is the world coming to an end? 

NOPE!  Mike just wants to ask a question and Joey wants to chat.   Ooops!  It's my brother Dave this time and into Voice Mail....that thing has been full since June of 2008.  I will call him back as soon as I get a minute. 

In the house, Joe is home, dinner is ready and I have to be somewhere by 6.  Eat quick, run out the door...Oh, of course...I have no gas!

Phone ringing....CATIE:  "Grandma!  I need lunch money!  Can you please make sure to leave it for me?"
Phone ringing....ANDY:  "Mom!  Can I have five bucks for a pizza....I missed dinner and it's gone."
Phone ringing....JOE:  "Can you stop and buy ice?"
Phone ringing....MIKE:  "Can you forward me an email?"

Made it to my knit class........whew!  I wish I could turn off the phone, but I can't imagine.

Phone ringing.....My brother Dave...Shoot!  Forgot to call back.  Wonder why?  I haven't been busy.  Can't answer in the middle of class.  I will call him when I leave.

Too late, I get text saying he is in Detroit at the Tiger game.  I should have answered and run away to Detroit!  RATS!

I just stay home.  Don't do much.  Why am I tired?

Knitting Away

It has been a very busy week!  Joe turned 29 on 9/9/09 and we had a nice family party.  School has resumed and I admit I am enjoying my quiet days after a loud and happy summer. 

I have been busy knitting and am on a roll for my Christmas gift list.  I finished this scarf and one handwarmer (the other one is on the needles) the scarf below for Joe's birthday and am working on another for my favorite nurse practitioner. 

Joe and his "Pocket Puppies"