I've created a monster!

Christmas is over. It was very nice and quiet for us. We spent the day calling family members, napping and watching videos. Mr. & Mrs. Claus were pretty worn out from Christmas Eve deliveries.

I think the funniest part was talking to my sister-in-law Kelli. Her daughter Kayla has expressed an interest in learning how to knit so we bought her a beginning knitting kit and a copy of “Stitch and Bitch” so she can learn some of the basics. Kayla is so excited because she can now say “Bitch” and tell everyone she is referring to the book.

I love my new knitting basket from Bob and the knitting bag that my Mother-In-Law made for me. I was so excited about the handmade bag that it wasn’t until she called and asked if I looked in the pocket that I realized there was a gift card for Joann’s.

One of the biggest surprises was getting a gift card to Babetta’s from Josh, Bob’s lead at work. I made him a pair of fingerless gloves last month and he just loves them. He tries to be a real hard ass and would be mad if I said this to him, but he is such a nice guy. It has been amazing watching him grown up in the time he has worked with Bob.

Sitting on the couch with Bob, I was just feeling so blessed. Its not the gifts that we give or get each other, it’s the love of family and friends that is the best gift at the holidays.

New word of the day!

Chuck, our “adopted son” has given us a new word for the day: “Flumtuous”.

While at Christmas Promise tonight, they were selling sweatshirts with the Christmas Promise logo. Bob wanted one and I decided that Chuck needed one also. I thought about getting one for myself, but they did not have my size. When I came back to the truck, I gave them each their sweatshirt.

“Why didn’t you get one for yourself?” Bob asked.
“They did have one that would fit my fat ass”, I replied.
“You’re not fat!” Chuck protested. “You’re flumtuous!”

What the Hell does that mean? Sounds like a disease! I can only hope he was trying to say “voluptuous”.

On His Way...

Bob is on his way to Ohio to visit the boys. I dropped him off this morning at 5:00 a.m. and I miss him already. One week is going to seem like one month. I know he will have a great time with the boys. His sisters are so excited that he is "coming home". His suitcases were crammed with handknit Christmas gifts for all the family. He has also assured me that he will be showing off his Cleveland Browns beanie and socks to everyone he can!

December is Here

Well, here it is. The first day of December. I have been knitting up a storm trying to finish Christmas gifts. My problem is I have a terrible case of startitis. I want to knit something new! I have all this stashed yarn that is calling to me. I have to be strong and not listen. I have to finish up the projects left for Christmas. Or at least free up some needles.


Hubby is starting the outdoor decoration of the house. I have to monitor his progress or our house will look like the Griswold house in Christmas vacation. I think his ultimate goal is to have the house visible from space. I just hope that we do not overtax the wiring on the house. We learned last year that if the Christmas lights are one you can't use the microwave or you will blow the fuse. (Rewiring the house is on the big to do list). I also help with design features. ("No Honey. I don't remember the bible mentioning a snowman bring gifts to baby Jesus so put the snowman elsewhere.")


We are getting ready to get our tree. Having a tree and 3 cats is always an experience. I have learned that they do not like tree skirts. (Cats are so good at expressing their dislike of things with bodily functions) I remember the first year I had a cat. I was sitting on the couch reading and suddenly I saw an ornament fly off the tree and across the room. This was odd. Suddenly another flew in the opposite direction. At that same moment I noticed that my tree had suddenly grown a tail. I parted the branches to find a very innocent looking Sayuri looking at me trying to convince me that "it wasn't her!" When I was a kid we just had a problem with dogs eating the popcorn strands and the occasional piece of tinsel. (Made for very festive poops in the back yard!) Mom always hung bells on the bottom of tree so she would know when someone was messing with the tree. (Kids are as bad a s cats & dogs) I continue that tradition of the bells.


Found this in the paper and I can relate!

YIKES!

I looked at the calendar and then at my Christmas knitting list. I have a lot of UFO's out there! I categorized them into "stuff to be mailed", "stuff Bob will take back with him" and "everything else". I have to really knuckle down to meet my deadlines! How the heck did the year fly by so fast?

Ah! Autumn!

I really love this time of year. I love the colors of the leaves and the sound of shuffling through them on the lawn. I love the crisp bite of fall in the air. I love the sound of the rain on the roof. I love curling up on the couch with a good book or my knitting and just relaxing.

There is something about this time of year that sets off the nesting instinct in me. I start thinking more about craft projects and baking. I want to spend time with the ones I love.

Yesterday, my hubby took time off of work and the two of us went to Apple Hill. It was so nice to be able to spend a day with him, since at the moment we do not have the same days off. Just being able to spend a day with him was the best birthday present I could have asked for. I really enjoyed the rolling foothills of El Dorado County and seeing the leaves scattered on the country roads. We watched a flock of wild turkeys searching for dinner, unaware that their domesticated cousins will soon be roasting in ovens across the country for Thanksgiving. We ate fresh apple crisp and drank fresh made apple cider. We breathed the crisp clean air and enjoyed the sun in our faces.

Open Casting Call!

Ever wanted to be in a movie? The new Star Trek movie is having an open casting call and looking for the following:

"The call asks for actors and actresses between the ages of 18 and 70 that are "OK with their eyebrows being shaved from the arch outward to portray a Vulcan-type eyebrow shape.
The call also asks for "Talent with interesting and unique facial features such as: long necks, small heads, extremely large heads, wide-set eyes, bug eyes, close-set eyes, large forehead, short upper lip, pronounced cheekbones, over- or undersized ears and/or nose, facial deformities, ultra plain-looking people, ultra perfect-looking people, pure wholesome looks, twins, triplets, emaciated talent, regally poised and postured talent, or other visually unique characteristics."

Visually unique and Ok with having your eyebrows shaved. Sounds like a few college parties I went to way back when!