Saturday, March 29, 2008

14days and counting

Only 14 days till Iron Girl. My rented wetsuit arrived yesterday and wow, it is uncomfortable. I'm not sure that I will even end up wearing it - it depends on the water temperature and what everyone else is wearing. I have some pictures but my computer is in the hospital on life support.

Yesterday we had S's b-day party. It was a fun bowling party at WSU, it helped me remember was a great life we have. Our family has some many wonderful friends, adults and kids. That's what life is really about - the relationships we build with the people we love and respect.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Looking forward to summer

As you know, I love making crafts and art with my kids. There are 2 sites that I have discovered recently that make me long for summer when we will have unlimited time to do projects.

The Crafty Crow is a collection of projects from all over the web.

Craft Projects by Arounna Khounnoraj
has more complicated projects which is perfect for my advanced craft kids.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Twizzlers


I am a big fan of licorice, it's probably my favorite candy. My favorite brand is Red Vines, I like it right after you open the bag and it's soft and chewy but I really love it when it's been sitting out for a few days and it's hard and chewy.

My new licorice find are these Twizzlers Rainbow Twists. It all started with T bring some home from school (the speech teacher gives the kids candy.) I tried them and I wanted to sample every flavor but Wal-mart didn't have them. Thank goodness Target came to the rescue. There are 6 flavors and they all just taste fruit punch-y to me. They are like chewing plastic but I like that for some strange reason.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

I am so happy that there is online package tracking. I ordered myself a birthday present and I love seeing it's progress to my house. My favorite is waking up in the morning and seeing that it is "out for delivery."

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Spring Break's Over

Back to school tomorrow, sigh. I didn't get much done over the break, I had grandiose plans of cleaning and organizing. I did make a trip to the goodwill and the recycling center but we still have a lot of stuff to go through especially in the basement.

Today we have to work in the backyard. Having a dog can be a hassle, Sally likes to have her friend over for play dates but her friend is a digger. Two weeks ago, both dogs escaped from our yard prompting a passive-aggressive note from the neighbor who returned them. The note began "Dear parents" which took me a minute to realize the author meant "dog parents." Then went on to say, in part, "I hope they stay in this time." So we have to check the entire fence and replace some boards and fill in the holes near the fence with bricks and dirt. Fun, fun, fun.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Little Sheep

My children are natural knitters. S helped me teach a Mother/Daughter knitting class yesterday and today. She can knit, purl, bind off, cast off, and knit 2 together (she fixes any mistakes w/ k2tog.) She did the bind off demo, today, while I did the talking. I loved having her there with me. She was so happy because she got paid for the class also (I ended up giving her more than half.) Right now she is working on a teddy bear, she has the head, body and one arm done. She might need her own Ravelry account soon.

S was knitting in bed tonight so T decided to get in on the action. I found some leftover yarn (in blue-green - his favorite colors) and size 8 needles. I showed him and then held my hand over his so he could get the feel. It seemed to come easy to him, he even remember that the yarn has to go counter-clockwise around the needle - if he did it the wrong way he would say "that's not right" and correct it. Many of my adult students have a hard time understanding when they are going the wrong way. His tension is excellent, the stitches are perfect.

I am so happy to share my hobby with my children. I sat on their floor for about an hour tonight, talking, watching them knit and correcting any little boo-boos. Like I said, they are natural knitters.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Course Map

Only 25 days till the Iron Girl Las Vegas (23 days till I leave.) There is a great interactive map, give it a try - I enjoy the satellite view.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Spring Break day 1

I did get some cleaning done today. I emptied and reorganized all the drawers and cabinets in the kitchen.

Yesterday we saw "Horton Hears A Who." Overall I give in a C, it was too long and the villain (a kangaroo) was too evil. There was also an obvious political undertone which I hate to see in kid's movies.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Sort, Purge, Repeat

My computer is still working intermittently.

We have spring break this week, which is a time for spring cleaning. We have so much stuff, seriously, where did all this crap come from and why is it never enough. I'm hoping this will be a time of major purging, just let it go. We will be making many, many trips to the Goodwill and our dumpster will be full.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Computer Problems

My laptop has decided that it no longer wants to turn on. I'm not sure what it's problem is, I believe I have been nice to it and cared for it appropiatelybut computers have no loyalty.

Currently, I am using our old laptop which has its own share of problems. Hopefully, I can talk D into taking some place for repairs. Usually, he wants to "fix" it himself which ends in cross words and sometimes throwing things.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Not-so-Easy Mac

S just burned up a container of Easy-Mac in the microwave. Smoke filled the house, the macaroni was black and the container melted. It smells terrible. Luckily, it's nice enough to open the doors and windows and let the place air out.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

A couple of FOs


Argyll Slip-Over by Debbie Bliss
2 balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK


Le Slouch by Wendy Bernard (knit and tonic)
1 ball of Cascade 220 wool

Friday, March 7, 2008

Am I Sick?

I'm feeling a little tired and run down but I don't think I'm sick. I took a long nap after D got home, I hate that groggy post-nap feeling.

Tomorrow is my last day of Saturday morning knitting, at Panera, for 2 months. S's volleyball games start next Saturday and continue into May. I will have to find another day to get my weekly Panera fix.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Screen Cleaner

I highly recommend this screen cleaner.

I love to Tri


Only 39 days till Iron Girl! I'm starting to get excited.

Monday, March 3, 2008

HoneyComb Cardi


My job, teaching water aerobics at the assisted living home, has really increased my knitting time. During the first hour, I am lifeguarding so the residents can have rec time in the pool. Most days no one comes for the first hour and I'm able knit or study.

I'm flying along on the HoneyComb Cardi (Hexacomb Cardigan.) I am about an inch above the armpit. The pattern calls for you to knit the back and 2 sides separate but I just added two balls of yarn and kept going and I'm having a lot of success.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

David Chicken


We had a great time partying with David Chicken today at WSU.