Some More of the Harvest

We realized when planting our garden this year, not to expect too much from it. It was the first year and the soil in our area needs A LOT of work. So, I can't help but be thrilled with whatever little we do harvest!

Although I had forgotten to take any pictures Mike has been digging potatoes, and we've been eating them for the past month!! He still has another row to dig, and I'll try to remember to get a photo this time to share.

Here are the spaghetti squash we picked. I realize it is only enough for about 2 meals in our family, but I'll take it!! We all love it and it isn't cheap when I do buy it. Trying to convince Mike to do another planting. We ate 3 of them last night with dinner and it was yummy!!

Instant Gratification

Even though I have 2 projects on the needles sometimes it is required to put them aside for a day to do a couple of other quick projects.

Faith has been playing with her baby dolls and was searching high and low for a baby bib, so I knitted her one. She told me she'd like to see some flowers on the next one. Uhm okay! (The little button I used is a purple flower.)

Then for fun and no reason what-so-ever... I crocheted myself a change purse.

It was fun to do these quick, instant gratification projects. Maybe I should spend some more time doing this stuff? Maybe save it all up and sell it? Hmmm? Maybe after I finish the socks and sweater I've started, you know me can't have too many eggs in the basket!

Catching Up!

In The Knitting Bag

Finished knitting the socks I had been working on for over a MONTH! Can't believe it took me that long to finish a pair of socks. But... here they are:

I made them really loose fitting, and I like them.

The knitting still isn't going full force, but I did cast on another pair of socks in the Hedera pattern.

And I've casted on a sweater, the Neck Down Scoop Neck Cardigan by Diane Soucy.

I'll post photos of the actual projects when there is more to show. Both of these patterns I've made before and I think I just needed to do a couple of familiar patterns.

On the Home Front

Jake and I drove to bring Adam back to his parents on Saturday. We all really miss having him, but his parents insisted that 2 weeks was enough.

Mike got his staples out today, just short of 3 weeks since his surgery. He is doing really well and should be returning to work this week some time. This has me a little blue... I LOVE having my husband around and being with him... can't get sick of that!! But, someone has support my sorry behind!!

We took the kids to the movies last week. Gotta LOVE having a $1.00 theater near by!! Movies that are no longer in the big theaters, but still not on DVD. What a cheap way to spend the afternoon!!

Mike took Faith to see How to Train Your Dragon. He said there were a few scary parts for a 6 year old, but she LOVED it and wanted to know yesterday if she could go see it again. Mike said this is one that we should consider owning when it does come out on DVD. High praise!

Haley and I went to see Letters to Juliet. Definitely a "chick" flick, but it was awesome! Very endearing, romantic and adventurous with a very happy ending. Everything I LOVE about a movie. Haley enjoyed it too, although my tough exterior daughter would not admit it in front of her father. Now I am dreaming about a day that I can travel to Italy and explore the countryside. Why is it that movies do that to me? Please tell me I'm not alone and this a "chick" thing!

Still No Knitting, but a Very Good Day

Last summer we really didn't have any opportunities to go out and learn fun things to do in the area.

Yesterday, we were able to venture out and discover a great place to go for the day to swim, fish and picnic, Sherando Lake Park.

The kids played in the sand and water. Haley did some fishing. Mike met up with another friend (reconnected through facebook) that he used to be in the Navy with who happened to be vacationing near by. I still didn't get any knitting done, but it was a lovely day!

We took the long way home and drove some of the Blue Ridge Parkway, another adventure we had been wanting to take.

LOST: Knitting Mojo

An entire week and I've probably only held my knitting needles for 30 minutes total this week!!!

Last night and yesterday I probably could have spent a great deal of time knitting and didn't?

Am I still sick? I'm at a complete loss for words here....

Taking the kids to the beach today, I'll bring my knitting and maybe just maybe I'll get my knitting mojo back...

A Very Big Day!

Thank you everyone for all the prayers on a speedy recovery. Started feeling much better Thursday evening! The only thing that is bothering me now is the side effects of the strong antibiotics, but at least the fatigue is over.

I'm especially thankful I was feeling better before Friday. It was Faith's 6th birthday! We had a great day planned for her and I so didn't want to miss out on it.

We all went for breakfast to IHOP. We haven't been to an IHOP in probably 20 years!! It was AWESOME! Mike and Haley both have birthdays in August and it is most likely IHOP will be on the agenda to celebrate.

Then we went to Toys R Us, to do a little shopping for the birthday girl. She got a great play dough set, a piggy bank and a butterfly net.

Because you have to be six to do rock climbing, that was what she wanted to do. She did really well, and enjoyed it very much. If we do another home schooling rock climbing camp this fall it will be great that she can join us.

Then spaghetti for dinner, Faith's favorite, and Haley made her a birthday cake. It was truly a wonderful 6th birthday... for EVERYONE!

Small Successes - but not really

It is important for mother's to see that all their little successes through the week can become a big triumph.

However, this week I really can't say I had any small successes. I've been laid up sick in bed for 3 days!! It started overnight on Sunday, terrible stomach ache and vomiting!! I went through the day Monday in bed waiting for whatever it was to pass and it didn't, instead I started running a fever. So I got an appointment with the doctor on Tuesday morning. She has diagnosed me with pyelonephritis . She has run blood tests Tuesday, Wednesday and I have to go back tomorrow for another. I received a shot of antibiotics and have to take a round of antibiotics orally for 14 days. I'm still not 100%, but I am able to be up without feeling too fatigued.

My sister, who is an RN, told me that usually people are hospitalized with this. So... that can be my one success this week... I wasn't put into the hospital!!

This has NOT been fun! And poor Mike 5 days post surgery the poor guy was taking care of the kids and me instead of getting cared for himself.

I'm positive of one thing, next week I'm sure to have at least 3 small successes after getting my house back in order from being laid up! But.... none of them will be happening today!

Do As I Say, NOT as I Do

Something every parent teaches their children is internet safety. At least when they are old enough to understand it.

A few months ago Mike (husband aged 43) broke some of those rules. He became friendly with a friend of a friend. A man who had a common bond with Mike, he was on the same submarine... 20 years before Mike! Mike and him have become friendly through Facebook.

Gannon McHale, is currently acting in the play Tuesdays with Morrie at the Barter Theatre in Abington, NC. He contacted Mike last week to see if we would be home, on Sunday, so that he could come for a visit. Although Gannon feels he sits center left on many political issues, I knew for a fact before meeting him his opinions are FAR left of mine and Mike's. So, I promised Mike I would be a decent hostess and not start any political conversations.

It turned out to be a good visit. He brought his guitar and had a jam session with Jacob and Adam (visiting friend from CT).

Even the dog enjoyed the visit.

We managed to stay clear of any hot topics for the visit, but I just couldn't resist, when at the last minute he announced he was planning on leaving I just had to bring up one! My bad, I know!! We had a brief discussion on the Arizona Immigration Law. I won't bore you with the details, but as suspected... he has it ALL wrong!! LOL!

So, all is well that ends well. (Is that the saying?) Mike and I however, are being diligent to continue teaching our kids what NOT to do with strangers on the internet.

Olivine Sweater Done

Ah! Finished! I'm really please with this sweater! The pattern wasn't the easiest to read when I first started, but once I got going and figured out how the designer was writing, it became easier.

Now my problem is... what is next? Still haven't figured that out yet. Why?

Catching Up

Mike's surgery went well on Wednesday and he is in a little discomfort, but doing well. (For the faint at heart look away!)

Here he is in recovery.

Here is the elbow when we unwrapped it this morning.

Here it is before surgery.

Yesterday Jacob and I drove to PA to meet our good friends from CT. We had lunch with them and took their son Adam home with us for a few weeks.

I've been able to get "some" knitting done, but nothing yet finished (can't understand why!). Maybe next post there will be finished items.

Small Successes

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.

My successes for this week:

1. Completed Haley's CAT with her and mailed it and Faith's in to be graded.
2. Bought buttons for the sweater I am near completing. This doesn't sound like a big deal, but there is only one store, that I'm aware of, that has a decent button selection and getting to it can be a real hassle. Usually the sweater sits finished for several weeks with out buttons, this time it is the reverse.
3. Got Mike through his elbow surgery. Well at least the first 24 hours of recovery after. I depend VERY much on my husband and having him not 100% can be very trying. (Especially because I then have to give more than 100% of myself!! LOL)

Turning it Over...

Saint Padre Pio, with all his wisdom said, "Pray, hope and don't worry. Worry is useless." Words I find myself repeating over and over.

During a recent homily at church a visiting priest said, "What a terrible insult to Jesus to worry." "Live in Jesus not in worry." Ouch! that hit home.

God is constantly reminding me!

However, genetically, I am predestined to worry!! A definite flaw in my makeup! I come from a LONG line of anxious people. Which is why at 3:00 o'clock in the morning I find myself up blogging and not sleeping!

Tomorrow (okay really today in a couple of hours) I take Mike in for his elbow surgery. And instead of sleeping I'm awake thinking and what ifing myself crazy!

So, I'm going to head to bed. Offer up my prayers. Tell satan to take a flying leap and leave me alone, I'm turning it all over to God. God ALWAYS takes care of us! He's proven it to me over and over again. (Not that He even needs to!)

Decisions, decisions, decisions! And no answers!

Typically when I'm nearing the end of a knitting project I have 5 ideas in my head for what is next. This time however, I'm at a bit of a loss! I know it is crazy!!

Do I want to make Faith a dress for summer?

This is a great pattern that I've made 3 times now, but.... nah! this one still fits well.

Do I want to make another felted bag?

I don't think so. There isn't a need yet for another felted bag.

My brother Bill will be turning 50 in May 2011. I could go ahead and knit him a sweater for that and give it to him early so he can get plenty of use from it through this coming winter.

Still plenty of time to do that, no need to start now! Plus I need to buy yarn to make it and I really should be using stash!

Well I could just focus on finishing the pair of socks I'm working on.

That won't work! They are more than 75% finished too!

Great! Now I've realized I also need to figure out what socks I'm casting on next!

Ugh! Any ideas? Anyone?

How Far We've Come!

We were young and inexperienced, and I believe people thought we would never make it this far.

23 years ago today Mike and I go married, in the church, with our friends and family looking on. Mike still had more than 6 years left to serve in the Navy and the world was our oyster!

We've come a long way since that day, and I wouldn't change any of it. We've grown in our love and our faith in God. Some of the things we've been through:

1. We have 3 beautiful, really great kids.
2. We have buried both our fathers and losses of other loved ones.
3. We managed to get through our middle child needing surgery at birth and hospitalization, with follow up surgeries until she was 6.
4. Several moves! (But I think we are finally settled.)
5. Job changes for both of us and sometimes wondering how we would ever pay the bills.

We've come a long way baby! I'm truly blessed to have you as my life partner and I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else. Looking forward to the next 23+

Small Successes

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.

1. Finished giving Faith her CAT! This was her first and she has never tested so there was a bit of a learning curve. For each of us. The way the questions are asked I needed to tweak a bit in order for them to make sense to her, but we did it and it looked to me like she did really well. Not 100%, but really well!
2. Finished reading a book. A fiction just for fun book. Do you have any idea how long it has been since I read a book just for fun? This is an accomplishment because time for me to just be mindless is good for my mental health.
3. I've managed to limit my on line computer time really well. It has been an adjustment in the routine for the better. Probably the reason I was able to accomplish #2 and my knitting is really progressing too. Not to mention my house has never looked so good on a Thursday morning!