Weekly update

Our Saturday sky
picture taken at 4:20 pm.
(the last eruption was at 3:30)
didn't get any actual footage of the eruption.

And then Sunday evening
we were back to this......



coke a cola cake anyone?
recipe from recipzaar.
did cut the ingredient in 1/2.
(very rich)

haven't had Athena pic's lately...
(bumpkins decided Athena needed a tent).

Attack of the spiders....
"have i eaten one to many?"
oh, thought i was dreaming.....

Knitting: not going to get DM's socks completed on time. but did figure out a way for them to fit wider feet.

Redoubt has been very active. check out the AVO link, there are some incredible pictures.

Now i understand about everyone who has trouble blogging due to having to share a computer with the fam. I have my own but we are no longer networked, so I have to wait my turn for the internet. And blogging takes some thought and cannot be rushed.

This last Thursday I broke out in hives. Only thing I have done different was to wash Hugo. After much discussion in finding out what is causing the hives, DH thinks it is because of the volcano. Reasons: 1) the only known medication I am allergic to is Septra- it is a sulfuric compound. that gives me hives. 2) there is a lot of sulfur in the air right now.
any thoughts on this one?

Bumpkins and Hugo both had a busy day today. Hugo pulled the large tub of margarine off of the table. Bumpkins picked it up, the only thing destroyed was the lid. Thankfully he didn't get into the margarine. After he was in time out for that one, I let him outside. Where he promptly jumped up on some guitar students. He then had to go on the dog run. very subdued pup after a bit. Bumpkins meanwhile decided to turn her hair gray w/baby powder. While she was doing this I was doing some deep cleaning vacuuming (the inside of the dryer, under the furnace, top of the hot water heater, sucked up specimens of bugs that i didn't identify, more cobwebs than you can imagine, and enough cat hair to transplant on another whole cat)


Well that is life in a nutshell.

Weather: sunny and temps 26F. (the sun now has warmth to it.)

i'm back... i hope!

Athena meets a pygmy Puff......oh this is nice a critter just for me....

What's this.... doing up here?
it must have moved......

it's mine!

Details: Cast on with size US 2 DPN's on Feb 1
Yarn: yellow Fun Fur
Event: Harry Potter House Cup
Care of Magical Creatures
forget what pattern:
knitted it up during the superbowl
but stuffed and sewed together on Feb 27.
Athena loves it!


well i think i am back....
we might be going to
cell phone technology for internet.
downside is that it keeps disconnecting.
not sure if it is faster or not.
(ok it isn't faster than satellite
still took forever to upload my pictures).

i have been knitting until the last couple of days.
but lately i have been working some very long hours.
today was a webcast at work for Red Cross recert.

High School Soccer and High School Track and field have
started. But all the fields and tracks are covered snow.
next week is Spring Break.

Todays weather: snowy and very slick roads.

Dinner: corned beef with cabbage, steamed potatoes and carrots. Family says that cooking the carrots and potatoes gives a better flavor than steaming. (the fatty, salty juice makes the veggies better). also the Fred Meyer brand corned beef is drier and less fatty than the IGA brand.

Strange Stuff Tuesday

Athena does "Patty Cake"
(and she didn't like it either!)

Knitting: trying to finish a hat for DH it is 88 cast on and in the round with US 8 DPN's and K2 P2 ribbing. Hoping that it fits him! seems to be on the small side. Well if it doesn't than a youth in Russia might have a hat (it is Paton's wool).


been crazy around here. I knew that I was going to have a chopped up weekend, but was called in to work on Sat. yeah am loving 3.5 hrs of overtime! Did nothing on Sunday, then Monday Bumpkins wasn't feeling well. So stayed home until 4 then scrambled to do errands before heading out to work and DM's. Went grocery shopping but was careful about what to buy (the outside temps were 6 F and didn't want eggs, produce to freeze). Had training then home again. Made sure Bumpkins ate well, as she finally was going in for her dental work.

Bumpkins is fine! the tooth didn't have to be removed, only put a crown back on. Poor tyke- she had a thing across her nose, headphones on, sunglasses on, bp cuff on, finger monitor and then the Dr started drilling and squirting. Bumpkins cried almost the whole 1/2 hour LOUDLY! I had to sit in the corner of the room. Got a few rows done on the scarf for my secret sister. Got Bumpkins home around 9:30 am and she slept until after 1 pm. Then ate, she again went down for a nap around 7:30 until almost 9 pm. made for bedtime being late!

And there you have it. Hope everyone else is doing great.

and because I came across this thing.... thought I would share it everyone else. And yes I want 2 or 3 of them.
Chicken Tractors:

Saturday Sky and yard

Camera is out of state...
let's see what I can come with that is archived....
Athena is always good."But her needs to give me a hug!
'Cause I love her."

Knitting: Nothing new. Got a cool package in the mail from a keychain swap over in Ravelry. Will post pix as soon as I get the camera back. There is some wonderful Andy's Merino wool from Farmhouse yarns in an exquisite jade color. It just might be made into something soon....

Quilting: almost finished w/the rag quilt blocks. All have X's sewn, now to trim threads and sew into strips.

DH went to Crystal Lake, Illinois for a conference and Bumpkins' and I have been on our own for most of the week. Bumpkin's has spent much time out at DM's, Friday was so nice that she played outside for most of it.

The Eagle has finally vacated DM's property (aka Papa's car). When it was towed out, one of the front wheels stuck for quite some time. Another one of those "one man's trash is another man's treasure".

Bumpkins and I went to Kenai River Festival today. It started out nice, but then got windy and cold. We saw an owl w/one wing, an Eagle, and the activities were: painting a wooden fish, coloring the paper inside of a sippy cup, coloring a picture of a mountain sheep w/chalk, casting a fishing line. There was so much stuff- very well done this year. On our way out there was a hit and run. A lady on a bike was crossing a driveway when she was hit by a truck and knocked down. I observed her getting back up and thought that was kind of odd.. why is her shoe off? Ended up calling 911, a couple helped her across the street, a lady in a suburban gave a description of the truck, we got the city police there and the verdict is... truck got away, bike is messed up, but the lady is OK! Shaken up but ok.

Well that's about all. Hope to bring new pictures soon.

Athena is a predator!

DH left the window to our bedroom open and then...
he left.
Around 5:30, Bumpkins and I discover
bird feathers all over the place.
Athena is meowing and searching for something..
2 hours later, the poor thing is discovered in my closet
on top of my sweaters.
After finding camera to take photo,
the bird flies around the room.
Now imagine
a cat, a 3 yr old and a lady armed w/camera
all chasing the bird.

See Athena really wanted to keep this poor critter.

Bird was released outside w/o
being seriously injured.
(cat is pouting)

Knitting: restarted Bumpkins leggings, discovered a dropped stitch way back in the main body of the first leg.

Sewing: cut out template for my Round Robin quilt square now to cut out material.

Have been busy working, sleeping and reading this week.

Oh.. forgot that I burned my arm on Wednesday night while making dinner. Had boiling water w/butter on a back burner. After/while moving the pot to another burner to add the instant potatoes, somehow the boiling hot water splashed onto the side and leapt out of the pan and landed on the webbing part of my thumb all the way up to almost my elbow. Immediately shoved arm under the faucet and ran cool water over it. No blisters but it is still rather sore.

So that is all folks.. Summer vacation started today.

Random Website Monday

Today was a hard day on the snow people population.......
A very busy day at the bird feeder.
We had Boreal Chickadees, Black capped Chickadees
Nuthatches.....
and this guy.

While I was airing out the house....
Athena discovered the bird feeder too.

The baby booties that will fit a 12 mos. not
3-6 mos like the pattern said.
(Athena was interested in what I was doing..
probably looking for catnip).

Knitting: Many more rows on DM's sock.
Sewing: Altered a shirt for DH's coworker. DH said he couldn't even tell where the repair was made. So I am charging $15.00. That'll pay for some new bobbins. And the rest goes into a piggy bank for Crafts. Need more knitting needles.... need more yarn.... need more material.... need time to do these things!

Anyone notice the clean tabletop the booties are sitting on? Well the sewing machine table got cleared off tonight as well. Put away patterns, threw mittens away that didn't quite make a mitten. Also found the pattern for Bumpkins cardigan so now the sleeves can be started.

Random Website: The snowman website.. Yes the "man" has a site of his own!

Y is for...

Y is for: Yet another cute kid/kitty picture.

Y is for: "You think that I'm to big for this box? I do to fit.. think that a nap is now in order."



Y is for: Yeppers another knitting project. This one is DM's sock being knitted on US 2 dpns and sockotta yarn. Cast on 52 and gauge is 7 sts. to an inch.








Y is for: Yes it is a fish!
Specifics: US 8 needles took about 80 yards of purple/silver acrylic remnant. 2 hrs.

Family updates: DH got a job... he is a rent-a-cop ie.. security guard. Thank you Homeland Security for this job. (It is going to be a very high risk job come summer though. Homeland Security has decided that all ports will no longer be considered beach access. One of our ports is major beach access in the summer for the commercial set net fish sites and those fisherpeople will no longer have access to their beach sites that have been in their families since set netting started. So it affects a huge group of people for their livelihood and way of providing for their families. Another hit to our local economy).
Other family updates: we are on Spring Break. Sure would like to see some Spring! The snow from 2 days ago is still on our driveway! Princess says Anchorage has almost no snow.
Bumpkins and I went to Kaladi Bros. for a Ravelry knitting meetup. She was so good! Watched Dora (Thank you Princess) drank an Italian soda and ate a cookie that was good for almost 2 hrs. And I got some knitting time in on her black leggings that are now ready for the inside leg increases. No sewing this weekend and this is going to be a long week at work.

Weather today: Sunny and maybe 37 F.

X is for...

X is for: Extra special.. this is what I received in a Pots and Tops swap over in Ravelry. A calorimetry and a coif. Both knitted in Araucania Nature Cotton. She also sent a Seafood Gumbo recipe w/notations that looks really good. All this came from Redwood City California. Thank you PalomaBella.



X is for: extra squished! (It is a VERY large stuffed dog on top of Athena- she escaped right after I took this picture).









X is for: x is for x-ray vision... you can't see me "I hiding!"









Finally finished!
Specifics:
Easy Mittens
Knitted w US size 5 dpns
Jiffy mohair bulky yarn
Started Feb 2008 finished March 9 2008
Very easy knit- when focused. Grafting is needed for the top and thumb openings.


Weather today: mid 40's lots of melting!

Dinner: was leftover picnic ham cubed w/cooked apples mixed w/leftover peas/carrots and topped w/mashed potatoes. Gravy went over the top (was supposed to go in it).
Saturday's Dinner: Picnic shoulder ham, 2 chopped apples and 1 c water in crockpot for 7 hrs. Served w/ rice (leftover) and carrots/peas.

Only 3 people have left entries for the contest!

ETA: Sorry folks but I had to go to more secure access- there was some weird/bad stuff happening.

New month.....

Here's looking at the new month:
Happy Birthday Kazul!


Knitting: Mostly finished Bumpkin's mitten, but ran out of yarn. Still have to rip back the thumb because it is way to small.

As this is a new month and didn't do this last month:
I am trying to loose weight and eat healthier, decided to do this:
Measurements for the beginning of the month,
Weight 130 lbs.
Thigh 23"
Bum 38 1/2"
Belly 34"
Bosom 39"
Well we shall see what they are when March rolls around.

It's been busy around here, have been trying to revamp my water aerobic routines and finish up swim lessons.
Thursday highlight was pulling into the carport late Thursday night and finding the extension cord running way out the carport. Hmm... guess I forgot to unplug the van before backing out that morning. Good thing DH has the cord wrapped around a post in the carport so I can't unplug it from the socket and drag the cord down the road.

Took Bumpkin's swimming tonight and boy oh boy she needs to go swimming more often. The black lines in the bottom of the pool scare her to death. (She thinks that they are a snake!) Also she is afraid of the water. Yikes- as a swim instructor that isn't good. Another odd thing happened to me tonight as I drove home. The roads are all rutted and the car bounces/slides easily so I was driving 40- 45 and occasionally hitting the brakes. Bumpkins decided she wanted something so I go to pull over and there is a car close behind me. So I pull forward to let the car into the drive and the red lights come on across the top of the car. A State Trooper! He comes up to the window and asks if everything was ok. I explained about the roads and Bumpkins wanting something so I pulled over, rather than trying to take care of it while driving and went to hand him my license. He replied that he was just checking to make sure that everything was Ok and said that it was smart of me to pull over rather than dealing w/stuff.

And so how was your Friday?
Weather: clear cold -10.

Weather

Tuesdays strange stuff

Strange Stuff.... Please just let me sleep!











Knitting: nothing today. Slept in and then had to scramble to get to work. Roads were horrible! People have commented on the Barbie jacket- it wasn't going to be for Bumpkins but for Lynn.






Work today was okay... I was sent to training tonight in Kenai for Water Aerobics. That was fun! Her workout was way harder than mine. And then I was home by 7:00 pm! DH made me burnt grilled cheese sandwiches and soup. Now I have a killer head ache and am exhausted!

Good news! We finally got confirmation from Daycare Assistance! It only took 3 months... in the meantime we racked up about $1400 in unpaid daycare. Daycare was costing us $400 a month and that is 1/4 our income. So this is awesome!

Strange stuff: And since it is colder in many parts of the world, our dogs may need to wear sweaters, now this dog says it all.

Finished another book:
Heart of Texas Vol 1 by Debbie Macomber... it is two books in one. So the two titles are Lonesome Cowboy and Texas Two-Step really good clean books about some small town in Texas. (And before anyone says anything... I grew up in a small town! And now work in that same town. And yes everyone knows everyone else's business!)

P is for........

P is for projects:
The blue is DH's scarf.




The green is my Secret Sister's at 19" almost 1/3 done. Hope to have it 1/2 done by tomorrow night. But at 4 rows to a 1/2" it is slow going.



P is for Pets:
Athena sleeping next to a sound board and on top of huge speakers.


Bumpkins playing in the snow w/Obi and Mackenzie.




P is for Princess:
(This is a bad picture, very difficult to take a picture of a picture.)
But this is what DH gave me for my birthday an 8X10 of Princess' Senior pic.








DH is out a gig tonight. Yeah. So I am uploading stash pictures to Ravelry. I am almost done. Then I will watch a movie and knit. Bumpkins fell asleep beside me on the couch tonight. She was one tired little girl.
Church today was interesting. The visiting pastor dressed up as St. Nick and told the tale of St. Nickolas. St. Nickolas was not canonized by any of the catholic churches and he was very Christian. Did you know that he was put in jail for 10 yrs. for preaching God's word? Reminds of the very early disciples who were put in jail for preaching.

In this day and time would you be willing to preach/worship if you knew you would go to jail?

Just another day at work

For Lynn who has 5 cats... and no Kitty Thursday pictures.
The box Athena is sitting in is an $8.90 flat rate postal box. And she jumped in there all by herself! Oops... forgot to crop out the unwrapped Christmas presents.


Knitting: Working on DH's scarf and still need to pick Secret Sister's scarf back up. DH can wait on his, but Secret Sister's scarf has a deadline (sometime in Jan.).

This is another of the drawstring pouches.
Details: Knit w/2 strands one of fun fur and the other grey acrylic.

And yes this was a Christmas present that didn't quite get done.
I did join a KAL in ravelry.... but for those of you not in Ravelry here is another:
Sounds a little better as you can set deadlines all year long ie.... Birthdays in Jan.


Today at work was interesting. A youth had a bloody nose- right in front of me. By the time I had tossed my tube and gloved up. There was blood dripping onto the deck. I controlled the bleeding and took her to First Aid. Did you know that lots of blood has a smell? It was horrible! The smell and all that blood all down her arms, face, neck, swimsuit. Nige again checked up on me frequently as I was pretty squeamish. I was considering going back to school to be a labor/delivery room nurse or midwife. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! I could maybe be a Doula- but nothing else. I can't handle large quantities of BLOOD. And part of my job is dealing with large amounts of blood. I am counting one of my blessings- I have only had to deal w/2 nose bleeds (large amounts of blood) and both times the people knew more about what to do than did I.

All right for those of wondering/asking. Bumpkins and I are doing great! Today was the first day she didn't ask for "Lovins". We were already down to having 2 nursings (on weekends) one (on weekdays). So it wasn't to horribly traumatic to stop all together.

L is for.......

Limits: There must be a weight limit for ironing boards. I have to reorganize the material shelves for my newest material. I can't buy anymore yarn until I use up some- there is no more room in my yarn tote.

Love: Everyone loves Athena.









Lists: I have started my cookie and candy making lists.
Cookies: chocolate chip, oatmeal chocolate chip, monster, clove.
Candy: Fudge, Kahlua, Rum balls, Bread: Scones (oatmeal, cinnamon chocolate chip) gingerbread.
And the list of doom (what definitely won't get done for Christmas). DH scarf will get done if I do 15 inches a week. 3 sets of doll baby clothes and the main body of the jack-a-lope slippers. Also one sock for DM.


Weather: 40 and windy/ cloudy. All the snow has melted, the trees are starting to bud w/leaves and there is ice in the puddles.

Weekend update

Pay it forward! I surfed across this quite some time ago- then my conscious got to me. So I did a lot of surfing to find someone who didn't have 3 people. And fond Jopal.

I will send a handmade gift to 3 random people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. This isn't a huge gift, just a little something to lift your spirits. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do if you like, is in return pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.


Athena wants to come out... but her days of being outside are done, until next summer. She will get sick- pneumonia sick if she goes outside now.

Cut out mittens for Bumpkins- hope to finish cutting them out today and sew them together tonight. Also almost finished with the baby doll robe - still needs ties. Want to cut out and sew 2 doll baby diapers for Bumpkins.

Today is rainy- wanted to go on one last bike ride for the season. But that isn't happening. Am very glad that the snow is almost gone. This is way to early in the year for the white stuff to stick around. Makes for a VERY long winter. Now have to scramble to get my tires swapped over to studs. (everyone else is swapping their tires over- mechanics won't be getting any time off this next few weeks!).

Dinner Pizza and salad. (worst part about being so lactose intolerant is not being able to eat Clam Chowder- not the red Manhattan so-called chowder, but the New England stuff).

I missed the LUNAR ECLIPSE!!!

Homer Small Boat Harbor w/mountains in background. (this isn't even 1/4 the boats moored here!) Also this is where the Coast Guard Cutter is moored . (the cutter is moored over by the rocks on the far side and is closer to the head of basin- in deeeeep water).
The Homer Spit (in June)- Princess can tell you how much time is alloted for this to be evacuated in the case of an actual tsunami. (NOT ENOUGH!)

"Happy birthday"- Athena is a really good kitty. (she laid there patiently while I got pix! all the while thinking "GET THIS OFF".

Knitting: Cast on for the EZ angel, (am rethinking what I have Cast on- and thinking perhaps the angels should be done in dishcloth yarn for bath puppets) and discovered a quick Christmas gift for Princess. (just have to get it done by the end of the month.)

Before I do anything I must find Princess car title! Speaking of Princess she started school (yesterday?) and today was debate night. She told me that the lunar eclipse last night was cool. I am so bummed!! I really like to see them.

Thing One has a job at Bruce's (a skateboard/snowboard shop). Thing Two is still playing JV/varsity football.

I am so tired. Had to be at work by 7:00 am today, that meant leaving my house by 6:30 am. Bumpkins woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep, so I got no shower. Thought that I could take one at work- but good grief there was alot of traffic this morning. Wish I had the camera with me today- the moon was beautiful. Full with the mountains as a backdrop. Oh well- I was running late as it was. So no shower at work, and no breakfast. Couldn't go sit outside at lunch either- because there were only 2 of us. And we need to have 2 guards in the bldg. when people are in the water. Otherwise close the pool- and yes we have done that before.

And for those of you who have been asking about the Postal Service boxes. The only way that I will ship now.

Strange Stuff= Actually I did make one of these (very rough and dirty "yarn").

Weather: 70 and sunny. (and I did enjoy the sun!!).

TGIF!!!

Athena doesn't trust me.... and why?Well because I put her in this: oops, she blinked.
Better photo, "let me out".

Knitting: Made another net for hanging fruit on the tree. Super fast and easy. CO for another tree. It is knitted in one solid piece, then folded in half and kitchenered down the center. Same concept as for hooded sweaters. Bumpkins tank top has 2 dropped stitches somewhere- will find those on a weekend nap day.

Today was the last day of most of the swim lessons, but because of last Wednesday- I have to go in at 10:00 on Tuesday to make up lessons. I went up the slide so many times to day- I could feel the burn. Bumpkins didn't take much of a nap today- she fell asleep in the car and when I brought her inside she woke up. So nothing got done on my designated last nap day. So much was planned: find stitches in Tank top, watch Star Trek, conjure up something for my kvvs pal, and blog, blog, blog, blog.
Hmmm... my KVVS pal is leaving all kinds of clues, I really wonder who she is.
When people get on ravelry- their own personal blogs will suffer. Why? it is very difficult to do 2 blogs at once.
It is 9:30 and I am ready for bed... I really must be getting old. Bumpkins has been asleep since 6:45. Oh! she slept almost all night- I had to wake her up to feed her (only because I was full and if I did any diving today it would hurt bad!).

Went to take a pic of the mountains this am, but the camera said no card. Uh-oh, must have left in the laptop, looked there and ..... no card. YIKES!!! Looked in the camera and found it- was loaded wrong.

Dinner: egg foo young, rice, egg rolls

Weather: sunny, rainy, sunny 60's.

Tuesdays strange stuff

What a good kitty! She has 6 toes on each paw and this what we use those knitted washcloths for. Blankies!!!!!Bumpkins really likes her animals, now this is one big puppy! A 2 yr. old mastiff (not ours though).

Knitting: NOTHING, no sewing either.

Today I was not feeling well, so during naptime I slept. I only have this week left for naps- then my work schedule changes to afternoons. BOO HOO!!!!! Bumpkins has pink eye- so no daycare for her today. DH stayed home until I got here then he went to work. I did practice my typing speed- have to maintain 55 wpm. am going to apply for another job. Same place, better pay and more hrs, downside is more hrs. less exercise, and no more 3 day weekends, also have to take showers at home and no work uniform.

That is all, oh please comment if you read my blog. I'm feeling kind of lonely again- like there isn't anyone else out there in the universe (blog land).

Strange Stuff: Not another purse. It is a good cause, and I wonder how well a nursing bra would work. Hmmmm........

Weather: rainy (or are the clouds from another forest fire) and temps 60.

Princess Gone! Boo-Hoo!

On Princess's last night- Athena strikes again. (DH banned her inside today, just so no treasures were brought in.) Note: Do not send a 2 yr. old to tell her dad to come take care of mouse. All she could say was Athena, mouse, upstairs over and over again.
Knitting: Still visiting the frog pond on Bumpkin's tank top.

Princess left today, I am so sad. She won't be home until Thanksgiving (maybe she will come home earlier- if I have Kazul's Christmas gifts ready to go.) Should start those then. Princess's car broke down again- thankfully she wasn't on the North Road or even on the road to Anchorage.

Did laundry and got ready for Callie's wedding reception (Fred is in so much trouble- I talked to her yesterday and she failed to tell me that today's dress was very casual. So I was dressed up in heels and nice clothes.) Nice picnic reception- the actual wedding was in South Dakota. The view from Cal's mom's new house is exquisite, but the drive is going to be very scary in winter. Narrow windy drive with a very steep windy hill, I just can imagine that hill in winter all covered in ice, YIKES! Not for the faint at heart- and Cal's mom's car isn't 4 wheel drive.

Tomorrow road trip to Homer w/DM.

Weather: Sunny and mid 70's