15 Years and Counting!

Today marks our anniversary. I can't believe it's been 15 years already! So much has happened - good and bad. I don't even know if I remember it all. I do know that I love him more now than ever. It's a cliche but true, nonetheless. Since we're poor as church mice we can't do what we originally planned - renew our vows in an Elvis Chapel in Vegas - but we can still celebrate our commitment to each other here in our home. I'm cooking a special dinner tonight. Hubby loves tuna steaks and I picked up a couple small ones. I don't care for them but this isn't just about me! Anyway, it's still a typical Thursday but we're going to try to make it feel like much more!

I have error #4 to reveal in the now never-ending hubby sweater. Somewhere along the way I messed up my increases so when I got to what I thought were enough back stitches to stop and separate the sleeves, I discovered that I was off by two on the front side. Fortunately it is an even number so I just knit another row and included those two increases. The sleeves have been separated and now I'm knitting the body. I think, despite a swatch, that this sweater is going to be enormous. UGH. I'll do my best with it now that the tedious part is over.

I have a baby blanket to crochet just as soon as I decide I need a break from this sweater. Plus 3 more pairs of socks to do. I think I was very wise to start my hubby sweater as soon as I did. Otherwise, it and others may not have had enough time set aside for completion.

The school department most assuredly has my application by now. I think on Monday I'll give the contact person a call and ask her my status. In the meantime, Monster.com keeps sending me possible jobs that don't even correspond to my criteria! I told it no on relocation and no on working more than 10-20 miles from home and most definately NO on anything sales. What does it send me??? All of the above. I've turned down all interview requests and deleted notifications based on that. What a bunch of crap. I know it's tough out there but damn, criteria exist for a reason!

Wild man is doing well today. We've been busy running around so he hasn't had a chance to push too many buttons...give it time, we still have the rest of the day to go!

Life is good when you knit!

Oh, Dear...

After much debate and many bouts of anxiety, I've finally come to the decision that I'm going to have to go back to work much sooner than I had anticipated. The problem isn't the work part because I actually love having some $$ in my pocket and interacting with adults. No, instead it is a much more serious and unexpected issue. I don't want to put the wild man in daycare! Can you imagine??? Those of you who know me are already surprised that I elected to stay home with him in the first place. Now that I am faced with having to put him into unknown and potentially dangerous hands I'm really freaking out. Like "waking up in the middle of the night in cold sweats" freaking out. You seasoned moms who have been dealing with the daycare issue all along might say, "buck up baby, we all have to do it." And you'd be right. Except my heart is breaking. Intellectually, I know it will be good for him. The wild man needs to make some friends and play with kids his own age. He'll be happier for it. He really needs to learn some social skills *seriously needs this* and I know he'll benefit. How do you do it??? How do you choose a complete stranger and trust her with your most precious? Especially in my case, where I've already lost a child and know how that feels. There's no way in this world I would retain my sanity if something were to happen to my little man. I already dipped over that dark edge once. How am I going to survive this? It's just a matter of time before I start getting called in for interviews (I hope). I need to be prepared and I have no clue where to start.

On an up note, the job I'm applying for is Secretary at our local Jr High school. My best girl friend will appreciate the irony in this!!

Got to run...wild man needs to wake up and we have to pick up his daddy! Any advice on the above?? I'm happy to hear all comers!

Wedding Photos

Last night was really fun! It was great to see our friends tie the knot! As many of you know, candid shots can come out really great and the bride and groom always seem to love the "other viewpoint." Unfortunately, we learned a valuable lesson about our little Sony Cyber-shot 7.2...it takes horrible zoom photos. (Of course, some of the horrible shots were taken after having imbibed one too many glasses of wine - so it's not ALL Sony's fault!!) In any case, we had some really great potential shots that turned out fuzzy and grainy. We'll still copy them all and send them off to the happy couple. Anyway, here are the best of the many, many pics taken last night!

Sunshine, Weddings & Food

Oh what a glorious day it is! Yesterday wasn't too bad either after the rain clouds went away in the morning. The rest of the day was just gorgeous. Today is shaping up well, too! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will stay beautiful out since we have a wedding to go to tonight. Wild man is staying with Memere tonight and hubby and I are so excited to have an evening out. Not to mention the free food! You know weddings always have the best stuff! This one should be no different. The reception is at a local restaurant famed for it's good food and desserts. It's also got a lovely deck overlooking the ocean. Mmmmm! Wild man at Mem's, hubby and I dressed up to see a friend tie the knot, AND good food. It should be a good one!

My intention was to post more but I'm getting the "look" from my little man. You know, the pouty face that says "I'm going to destroy everything in the house if you don't play with me -- NOW!"

Bye, all!

**UPDATE**
Behind the 8 Ball...Again

I have recently discovered that we have neglected some very important things. My cell battery is dead, dead, dead and I keep forgetting to put it on the charger. Very important, right? I mean we're dropping the wild man off and I need to have a way for my MIL to find us if something is wrong. DUH! Secondly, the camera battery is nearly dead...not so great for taking to an old friend's wedding and reception. Lastly, the GPS battery is dead, too. Not so great for typing in the address of the wedding. All is not lost, though. Back in the day, hubby was a territory salesman and worked out of his car. Needing a way to keep his cell charged and his laptop charged he bought a converter that plugs into the car's power outlet and converts the current, thereby providing one standard outlet for something to be plugged into. The dilemma? What electronic device that we so badly need (that we didn't even think could exist 20 yrs ago) will we plug into the car? Answer: GPS. The camera battery is being salvaged as we speak and as long as it gets an hour we should be fine. The phone, however, is another story. I'm thinking I'll take the charger with me and when we're in the church I'll keep the phone plugged in. I'll only take it in to the reception. I'm hoping this is good use of my time. Ooops...I should be putting on my makeup!!! ARGH!!! I hope they'll be serving wine tonight!

No More Weather Pixie and Error #3

They just can't seem to get it right. For instance, today's weather - if I look outside my home office window - is decidedly rainy. In fact, it's downright woolly. High winds, torrential rains, black and ominous clouds. Yeah, I'd say the weather was rainy. My former weather pixie, who supposedly got her updates directly from our regional airport located right here in my own hometown, was posed with a sundress and partly sunny skies. HUH? At least they got the temperatures right. I wanted a cute little widget for my blog so all you nice folk out there could get some idea of the weather conditions in my lovely part of the state. I guess I'll have to keep looking if I want something even closely reliable. Partly sunny, my ass.

On the knitting front, yes, I am proud (not) to admit I now have three errors on my hubby sweater. This one is, again, fortunately at one of the raglan shoulder seams. Somehow I missed an increase stitch and ended up with a loop instead of a stitch. Rather than rip out hundreds of stitches I merely increased on the knit row and kept going. Error, yes. Noticeable, luckily, not so much. Whew! Dodged the bullet on that one! Hope it doesn't mess up the overall structure of the sweater - man, that would suck. But hey, it is my first sweater you know! Proper protocol be gosh darned, I just want to finish it!

Wild man has certainly lived up to his nickname today. He is really sick and tired of being cooped up inside with the monster mommy. He's gotten so big he can now reach most of the stuff we put on the kitchen counter tops. I have to tuck my knives way back and try to stack bowls on top of other things. I never know when his chubby little hand is going to sneak up onto the counter and just grab. I finally had to spank said hand today - it kept sneaking up where it shouldn't, such as, near the hot stove and onto my workspace. My only vocabulary at this point seems to be "no" and any variation of "no," "leave it be," "stop that," "I said NO," "what did I say? NO!" and so on and so forth. The poor kid probably thinks he can't do anything right today. When he does listen, and that my friends is really not all that often, he gets all kinds of praise and he turns cute and cuddly and soaks it up. Where is that common sense now? Oh, I get it...he's only 2!!! ARGH! Anyone try talking sense to a 2 yr old? All the yeses know exactly what I mean! Hence the return of the little white pill!

Good thing my Dr fully approves of said pill. Of course the fact that I can make a 30 day prescription last for 7 months is probably what makes him the most happy. He reminds me that I can take it more often. I prefer to think of them as emergency backup. When the day just won't give up it's relentless pursuit of destroying my sanity. Or, when an anxiety attack begins. Of course at that point it's likely too late to be much help other than shortening the length of the attack. Scary stuff, that. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. *shudder*

So, folks, I've been seriously considering a small home based knitting business. I've received lots of positive comments on my purses and wallets, so I thought I'd do something with it. Custom knit and felted accessories. I'm in the process of choosing my business cards and stationary and then I'll hit all the public notice bulletin boards around town. At first I'll stick to 2 yarn products, Galway wool and Cascade 220. Both knit up and felt really well and I love working with them. They also have lots of colorways available. Hopefully it'll turn into something great! Cross your fingers for me - I'll have a lot of work ahead of me trying to knit and take care of my little wild man!!

Have a happy day and happy knitting!

Boredom and the Battle of the Bulge

No one ever said I was skinny and I'll be the first to admit how much I love to eat...but this is getting ridiculous. It's like I just can't say no. You know how people will drink during any occasion? Well, I'll create an occasion just to eat. Some months I do really well. I drop a few pounds, get a little exercise, start feeling pretty good. Other months pass by in a slump. This month it seems boredom is my excuse for a bag of chips and a platter of chocolate chip cookies. Did I mention homemade ccc's??? Sweet, chewy, gooey, buttery and luscious. But I digress. I'm supposed to feel badly about the, well, the bad stuff. As a pre-diabetic, I'm supposed to be getting a handle on the bad food eating so I don't actually develop the damned disease. How do you battle will power! I am more and more convinced that I actually may be a food addict. I don't binge eat or throw up or anything. I just can't say no when food is around. Then I feel guilty, which results in more bad eating and the cycle keeps going. Argh! The worst part is, I've actually been trying to eat better and lose a few pounds so I can wear my wedding best to a girlfriend's wedding. At this point, I'm guessing the wedding best will be a tad on the bulgy side. Again, argh! I think this battle is going to be one of those gorilla warfare things. It could last for many many years. And, again, argh! Someone stop the madness! I just want to eat cookies and cheese!

Stormy Weather and Clams

Man, what a rip roarer we had last night. Everything from massive thunder and lightening strikes to sheets of rain ripping through the foliage. We lost our power around 6:30pm and didn't get it back until about 9:45pm. We were fortunate though. As of this morning there are still some folks, about 14,000, out of power around York County. I wonder how my SIL faired at her campground! We put the wild man to bed at his usual time and he did really well in the silence of the household. We normally have fans and music on and you can hear all of us talking through the walls. Last night was different. Almost reverent. It really was quite a storm.

It looks like we might be off to the Yarmouth Clam Festival today if the weather holds out. I love the YCF. They always have tons of art booths and crafts booths. And the food, oh I just don't have the words for it. You love clams - this is the place to be. I don't but fortunately for me they have a lot of other yummy stuff, too!

Wild man is clamoring for his breakfast! Have a great day all!

Sister, sister ... and party pics!

Isn't my sister beautiful? She flew in from Atlanta Friday for the wild man's party. It was so great to see her! She's like a breath of fresh air in this stuffy old house. Hubby was great about giving me time to be with her. He'd make himself scarce in the evenings so she and I could have our "girl" talk. As usual she's doing great in school. She's one of the top students there. Only problem is she scored really low on her MCAT's and that doesn't bode well for Med school. So now she's having second thoughts about being a Dr. I told her the same thing her counselor told her...take some time off then retake the exam. She doesn't want to do that because now she is questioning her career choice. I know she can't hear it because it's her own voice but I can hear her passion for medicine when she talks about helping people. She literally wants to save the world. She wants to travel to 3rd world countries to treat people and help save lives. Her ultimate goal is to be part of Doctors without Borders. She has to make up her own mind. Fortunately for her, there are a few Med schools that have sent her the secondary applications. So someone wants to look deeper into her desire to be a Dr. I told her not to give up. Still she's pretty discouraged.

Anyway, we got to spend some good quality time together and have some good long chats. Plus we went to see a movie together the night before she left. Wanted with Angelina Jolie. Don't waste your money. Great special effects but not much else.

I have two mistakes now in the hubby sweater. The botched buttonhole and a dropped stitch. The buttonhole I couldn't do anything with and it won't matter once it's buttoned. The dropped stitch was a pain in the butt to fix because it was about 15 rows back. Why I didn't notice it before is beyond me but hey, I did manage to fix it. The column of stitches is really tight and there is a slight bump that looks like a purl stitch on the knit side. Fortunately for me, the error is going to be under the armpit. Yeah!! I'll keep you posted on any other "oopsies" that happen.

Wild man is being such a good boy today. We played really hard outside for about 2 straight hours. He helped me empty out and clean his wading pool. Then he helped me refill it again. He was also happy to help me water my flower and herb gardens! He's turning out to be such a great little helper. If he can do anything to "help" mummy and daddy, he'll drop his toys and do it! He was having fun with Grampa on the John Deere, too. My dad just adores him. He'll drop his tools or whatever he's doing to spend a few moments with the wild man.

Last night we went to the campground where my SIL from FL is staying for the week. We had a little "our side of the family" birthday party for her. She's 5! I can't believe how much time flies. Anyway, she got some good presents and we were able to spend time talking with all the adults. There were so many family members there I didn't have to worry about watching the wild man as closely as I usually do. As long as I could see him and see that he was with a family member I was just fine! Hubby got a chance to play some recreational badminton and bean bag toss and drink a few beers so he was happy! At one point the boys were out in the field tossing the football back and forth and the wild man and I were playing on the sidelines. I would let him tackle me then I'd flip him over and tickle him until he gasped! Unfortunately for me, I'm not 20 anymore. Hubby decided to surprise me with a good tickle but wasn't too gentle about it and startled me so much that I pulled my stomach muscles. A good bit of that wasn't entirely his fault. I shouldn't have been playing tackle with my little wild man! Anyway, I'm a hurting unit today. My belly muscles just ache like the dickens. (Whoever thought of that saying!) Of course, being overweight and having had a c-section, my belly muscles just aren't what they should be! Ha ha ha!

Well I think I've rambled on long enough. Hope you all enjoy my pictures!

Enjoy the day and happy knitting!

Another Birthday Party

Wild man is officially 2! Saturday's party was a huge success. We were cleaned out of food and drink and all the kids had a wonderful time in the Little Tykes moon bounce my SIL loaned us. We ended up with tons of pictures and one really happy and tired kiddo!

Hubby went to the Sox game on Sunday and it ended up being just fine. He had a good time and I ended up taking the wild man to see his Florida Auntie who is staying here in Maine for the week. We talked and he showed off for her and we went swimming. And since we were only minutes away from the house he was able to come home for his nap! He was pretty good the rest of the day, too, and went down for the night with no fuss at all.

He had his two year check up at the Dr's yesterday morning and I'm happy to report that he is a healthy, typical two year old. I got a lot of reassurance from the Dr and the wild man received a lesson in consequences. He wanted the lighted ear magnifier and the Dr wanted to listen to his heart. So he tried to make a deal with the wild man - who proved true to his nickname! So I was told he's a little on the sensitive side but there is nothing to worry about. Wild man in definately into the terrible two's. Yippy me.

Have to make this shorter than I wanted to...since it's bedtime and all. More to come about my sister's visit.

Good night and happy knitting!

Finally, a Day Worth Turning Off the AC for

Ahhhh...yes, it's still hot but the humidity has flown far far away. I just indulged in some sunny yarny goodness for a solid hour. My desperately-in-need-of-pedicure toes were dangling in the wading pool and my desperately-in-need-of-diet body was reclining in a very comfy lawn chair. I had my wide brim hat on and my current knitting project on my lap. With a cold drink at my side and the monitor on high, what more could I ask for?! Ahhhh...

I had to drag myself away from all that pleasure before I managed to scorch my skin. I think I added a little more color today and I'm glad of it. I've been pasty for YEARS and even though it's now considered "bad," I decided to gently add some color. The funny thing is, my feet and knees tan up pretty well. For some reason, my legs refuse to color up. Hopefully today's infusion will help.

Wild man's party is in 2 days and I seem to be maintaining my calm. The cake has been ordered and will be ready for pick up at it's appointed time. The menu has been written and the shopping planned for tomorrow. Hopefully hubby will help out with some yard work later this afternoon. Since he is working OT the morning of the party I need him to help out as much as he can before hand.

As for the Sunday Sox game issue. I've dropped it. I'm still mad about the whole thing but what can you do?? I'm not one of those wives who has to cinch the reins all the time. I want him to be able to go out and have some fun...at least one of us should. Aw - there I go again. I need to get off this subject before sarcasm sets up house.

The Christmas sweater is coming along nicely. I goofed up on the last buttonhole but when it's buttoned no one will ever notice. I'm not ripping out two miles of stitching to go back and fix it. I can live with it looking like that. I'm almost at the 6" mark. When I reach 6" I get to join my work into a round and I can stop with the purling. As fast as I go I'm still much slower purling than I am knitting. I can't seem to get into a proper rhythm. I have a long way to go but once my work is in the round I should be able to cruise.

My LYS is having a 50% yarn sale on Saturday. Figures it's the same day as the party but I'm hoping to stop by while I'm out doing errands. They are having a tent sale so I can leave the wild man in the AC'd car with a movie on and we'll both be happy! There is so much going on - the local library is having their annual book sale and the church next door is having their annual yard sale. There is a circus in town tonight and I think the local twilight league baseball game is on for tomorrow night. Festivals and fairs will be starting soon, too, and I have to say I am really looking forward to them! Especially the craft fairs. Mmmm, possible yarny goodness!

Ok, so I have to prepare the marinade for the steaks we're grilling tonight... Yum yum yummy! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Happy knitting!

Last of the Little White Pill

Just when you think everything is going wonderfully and you have nothing to feel stressed or anxious about - WHAM - a full blown anxiety attack flattens you to the couch for an hour. I had to take the last two Lorazapam to ease the symptoms and finally chase it away. It was the worst one I've had yet. I am racking my brain to figure out where it came from and at the same time hoping another one doesn't happen until I get to see my Dr next week. I can't believe how darn painful they are. It was a little more than an hour that the elephant sat on my chest. It could be that I feel like everything is on me for LD's birthday party this weekend. Dad is taking care of the outside but I still need to clean the house and get the food list ready. It's not supposed to be a big deal but it ends up being one anyway. Also it doesn't help that hubby is taking off on Sunday to go to a Sox game without me. I can't very well tell him that he can't go, either. So I'm mad about that, too. I know it's not rational but there it is. He gets to go and I don't. That's the brass tacks. So on top of feeling slightly overwhelmed about the party, worrying if I'll have enough food, if people will have a good time, if LD is happy - I go and get jealous that hubby gets to have a major break and I don't. Sometimes I feel like stomping my feet and screaming, "it's not FAIR!" Well, at least I can admit my failings. Besides, I signed on to full time mommy care over two years ago when I was still pregnant.

There may be a break in the routine soon. If I can ever get through to this person by phone I'm going to try to get LD into a toddler program 2 days a week for the rest of the summer. It should give me a break in the morning when he's gone, then all I have to manage to do is feed him, then he goes down for his nap. Who knows, at this point I'll take all the help I can get.

On the knitting front, hubby's sweater is coming along swimmingly. I've blown through one skein and have 8 more to go. *snark* Man, the sarcasm is coming out everywhere today. I best be careful not to utter the first thing that comes to mind when hubby comes home. I'll be in big doodoo. Anyway, the sweater really is turning out well so far. I take it with me everywhere and can usually get a row or two done while I'm waiting for whatever I'm waiting for.

I've been tossing around the idea of going into a little business for myself. Custom knit or felted accessories. I can put posters up at the grocery store and other places around town and make up little business cards and drop them where ever I can. I just don't know if I could drum up any business. I can do a purse in two weeks, a wallet in a couple of days and any other type of electronic cover. The only problems I have are if the client wanted their purse or tote lined. I suck at sewing. With a capital S. I'm thinking this might be something I'll do over the winter. You know, when I'm stuck inside with a bored toddler - ha ha ha - like I'll have the time to work on anything!

I've started thinking about getting another tattoo. I have several in mind but the one I've really been considering is knitting related. I'd love to have a ball of yarn and some needles permanently tattooed to my arm! Something a little edgier than just a regular ball of yarn. And, with lots of color. I'm having one done to my back that is similar to the mother/child emblem. It's going to be in the shape of a heart with one side smaller than the other. It will encircle yet another heart that has one side an angel's wing for my lost little one and the other side, larger for my LD. I don't know if I want their names yet but I'm leaning yes so far.

Well, I'm sweating from places you don't need to know about so I'll carry myself off to our lovely air conditioned living room for a few minutes until LD wakes from his nap. Hope you all had a lovely 4th celebration!

Happy knitting!