Our First Christmas in Virginia

In the pouring rain yesterday, we ventured out to get our Christmas tree. Cutting our own tree has been a tradition since before we had kids. This is a project Mike has always taken very seriously. My dear husband is very easy going and not an A type personality like myself. Until it comes to picking out a Christmas tree. In fact I could tell you a story about one year he had me hiking all over a certain tree farm with over 10,000 trees and none of them were good enough. After an hour of this I threatened to leave him there. I can't recall if we ever got a tree that day.

Anyway, one thing that really surprised us was how hard it was to find a tree farm to cut our own tree here in Virginia. We did prevail and found a very kind man who isn't usually available during the week, but was willing to meet us to get our tree. It certainly isn't as big as we usually get, but it will serve us well I'm sure.
This morning the girls were chomping at the bit to get the decorating started. They've gotten their dad to put the lights on and are now working on getting their brother out of bed to join their fun. Our first Christmas in Virginia, is going well!

The Life of a Hunter's Wife

So, I get woken up this morning by Jacob telling me I needed to drive the truck to pick up Mike. He had shot a deer and needed me to go get him. I'll let you read Mike's blog to fill in all the missing points to this story. But, the short of it is, Mike was about a mile around the block on the other side of the property where he hunts all really within walking distance from the house. Jacob however with his 13 year old early morning mind told me he was only down the road maybe 200 feet from the house. Now, shame on me for not getting on the walkie talkie myself to ask him.

I proceed going down the road where I think I'm going to meet Mike coming out of the woods and attempt to turn the truck around. Yes, you guessed it probably, the mud strikes me again!! I get the truck stuck!!!!!!!!!! CRAP!!! Only to realize here comes Jake running down the road, walkie talkie in hand saying this isn't where dad is. No? Really?

Mike in his sweet loving husband voice tells me, "Relax, come get me in the car and I'll go back and take care of the truck." Which of course he does, with the four wheeler I'm always telling him was a waste of money to buy.

All is now well, and we have another deer to fill the freezer and I've taken a vow to never say anything negative about that WONDERFUL 4 wheeler he bought.

I am enjoying Virginia very much, but man I HATE THE MUD!!!!

Warm and Cozy

We had our first fire in the fireplace last night. It was warm and cozy in our new house, log cabin, on a mountain, in the woods. Sound nice? It was and is.

And what can make this picturesque moment even better? Knitting needles and yarn, of course!

I finished this sweet blanket and hat for a woman mom works with. I'll send it to mom so she can give it as a gift.
I think I'll start a sweater next, for Jacob. Will keep you posted.

Just Another Day!

It is warm today, but expected to get very cold this week. Maybe the mud will freeze and I'll have a reprieve from dealing with that!!



Even though I've had to spend a lot of time fighting the mud, I've had time to finish another knitting project.

Mike works with someone whose wife had a baby. I've also started making another baby blanket for mom to give to someone she works with expecting in January. I have the yarn in stash and any excuse to knit works for me.

Jacob shot a doe on Thursday afternoon, that is a whole story in itself I'll leave him to talk about on his blog. But, I'm very proud of him and thrilled to have meat expected to fill my freezer.

God continues to bless me here in Virginia.

A Little Vent!

I don't want this post to sound like complaining, because really it isn't. It is more a sharing of my frustration and venting.

Here in Virginia we have red dirt. Well, when it rains this dirt becomes more like potter's clay. Put into this equation a dog, a cat, a non-landscaped yard, and an A type personality (me) equals ARGH!!!! Oh my gosh! I'm going nuts. Washing the floor, vacuuming, and laundry have taken on a life of their own in this house when it rains. (Remember: I'm not complaining just venting.) I do so love it when it rains, but right now it is a little frustrating.

On a positive note: I've still had time to knit and finished dad's Christmas present and just about finished a baby gift for someone Mike works with. Life in Virginia is goooood!

Awaiting the Package

Okay, so I've mentioned that I have a fiber, knitting addiction. I've even stood up and confessed it here on the blog. I've shared with you the realization I had after moving, that the yarn shop in Connecticut was my knitting muse.

Well, I've been staying in touch with my friends back at the yarn shop through Ravelry and the store's blog www.woolworksltd.blogspot.com The store owner Jen, is having a couple of off the wall, crazy sales. She is offering 30% off ALL (yes! all!) sock yarn, and then another incentive to purchase yarn is 20% off $60.+ purchase or 25% off $120.+ purchase. (Footnote: Jen must carry 20 or more different brands of sock yarn.)

So, what am I to do here in Virginia when the shop is all the way back in Connecticut? Jen came to the rescue. She put all the items I wanted into a box, gave me a great sale price, mailed it priority to me here in Virginia, and charged my credit card. She has made it so easy I'm afraid of the habit this may form. (I'll bet Mike is fearful also.)

Now I sit, awaiting the anticipated package. Will post pictures as soon as it arrives, because I'm sure you are all curious to see what I got.

Knitting Muse

Since moving to Virginia I haven't been knitting too much. Yikes! I know! To my knitting friends who may read this post, this is a drastic thing for me. However, last week I ventured to my first Virginia Knitting Group and that helped, but only a little. You may be thinking, "Well Michelle there is a lot to do when you move." But, that isn't it either.


It occurred to me the other day that it is quite possible that the reason my knitting has taken a back burner is because the yarn shop in Putnam Connecticut was my knitting muse. http://woolworksltd.com/ Now that I'm not visiting there I haven't felt inspired to knit like I had been.


Then on Saturday, I received a note from Jen (miagi on ravelry) the shop owner telling me all about the sales she has going on this week. After reading her note I felt a small glimmer of inspiration to pick up my needles. That was it! My connection to the Woolworks shop in Putnam, CT had found me in Virginia. Inspiration hit!!!


After we went to early mass on Sunday morning, breakfast out with the kids, and a few house drive bys we came home. I couldn't wait to sit in my rocking chair and knit. I spent about 3 hours sitting and knitting and watching old movies.


Then I actually posted my new project on Ravelry with photos this morning. I think I may just be recovering from the drought. (Ironically Virginia is in an actual drought, but I mean the knitting drought.)


Here are photos of the current project, for those of you not on Ravelry:

2 Weeks In Virginia

- Post by Michelle
Well we have been living in Virginia for 2 weeks now. I'm slowly learning my way around thanks to Lynn (the name we've given our Garmin GPS). Here is a list of our accomplishments over the first 2 weeks. (In no particular order.)

• Mom and Dad have visited! (a huge reason why we moved to Virginia)
• I attended my first knitting group and met some wonderful knitters.
• Found where the yarn shops are. (Haven't ventured in yet they were closed when I drove past :( )
• Registered at a church.
• Got a library card. (Have yet to get my license, you can see where my priorities lie.)
• Cousin Larry and his family visited. (Another plus to being in Virginia.)
• Found my way to and from the WalMart shopping center without help from Lynn.

So as you can see we are trying to settle in and doing a pretty good job of it. Jacob even made the comment this week, "This isn't so bad." He was our biggest hurtle when we moved because of his age and all his friends in Connecticut. He however is enjoying this blog spot and the new lap top we purchased that has a web cam so, he spends a lot of his time on there with his friends. (Almost as good as being there.)

Waiting for Mom & Dad

-Post By Michelle
Mom and dad will arrive tomorrow!! It has been almost a year since we've seen them. They left Florida on Saturday and arrived in Charleston SC to visit with sister Suzanne for a few days before heading to visit with us. This is the main reason we moved to Virginia, to make it easier to see them.

Looking forward to spending time with them just relaxing, and maybe take in some sights. We have yet to do anything like that.