Living and Knitting on a Maine island; Welcome to Frenchboro!

Christmas Spirit

2009-11-12T08:44:00.003-05:00

It's a THUNDERDOME of fighting here!

These kids have been at each other for over a week:

Mom, he hit me! Did not! Did too! Did not! argggggh.

Mom, she called me a baby! Did not! Did too! Did not!

Mom, he peed on the seat and cleaned it with the hand towel!

Grossly, he didn't deny that one. I washed ALL the hand towels.

My point:

It is November 12th, and I have used the Santa Threat twice already.

yikes.

And then this morning, after all this fighting...

"My bike helmet is broken!" Find another one. We have 6 of them.

"I don't like those kinds. Hey, little bro, can I wear yours and you wear one of the other ones, please?"

Picture me in the corner, bracing myself for the whining, thinking ahead to what she can wear for a helmet...

"Sure! I want your head to be safe."

"Thank You!"

Go figure. Manners and everything.

Carving pumpkins

2009-10-29T21:46:00.003-04:00

We love Halloween.

We love pumpkin guts.

Tomorrow is going to be complete insanity.

There is another island visiting us in the morning for a friendly Cross Country meet.

Then, the grown-ups (and I use the term loosely) will put the finishing touches on the Haunted Hayride setup...

and the Halloween Party begins at 6pm. Hayrides begin at 7.

And the second, bigger-kid-scarier-hayride ends when all the body parts have been collected...

bwahahahahahahhhhaaa!

Can't believe my eyes.

2009-10-28T10:32:00.003-04:00

This is a Rube Goldberg experiment to the 10th power!

My brain cannot wrap itself around the process of making this happen, but it sure is amazing to watch!

Thank You, Helen, for sharing this!

Frenchboro Follies

2009-10-27T23:35:00.002-04:00

In the blooper reel that is my life...this is one of the top 10.

Reason #4 for Marissa NOT to leave the island:

(photo edited to add author credit only)

This one is not technically ours as it happened in Bass Harbor, but my-oh-my, it's just too classic not to share!

This little mishap occurred at the beginning of October. That large truck (full of luscious lobsters) pushed the ferry boat away from the ramp while it was driving onto the ramp.

It dangled there for four hours awaiting a crane to get it back on solid ground.

Thank goodness, nobody was hurt(except the drive shaft on the truck).

We will tell this tale for years to come!

p.s. Can you imagine ME driving off when that happened??!!?? My scream would STILL be reverberating, a month later!

Always an Adventure

2009-10-24T09:02:00.005-04:00

I am going off Sunday morning. One of my favorite Uncles has passed away, and I need to be with my family.

And Mother Nature hates me.

Marine Forecast:

GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH
SUNDAY MORNING

TODAY
SE WINDS 15 TO 25 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 KT...BECOMING S
20 TO 30 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 KT THIS AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 4
FT...BUILDING TO 7 TO 10 FT THIS AFTERNOON. RAIN. PATCHY FOG THIS
AFTERNOON. VSBY 1 TO 3 NM...DECREASING TO 1 NM OR LESS THIS
AFTERNOON.

(ohmygod)

TONIGHT
S WINDS 25 TO 35 KT...INCREASING TO 30 TO 40 KT AFTER
MIDNIGHT. GUSTS UP TO 45 KT. SEAS 9 TO 12 FT...BUILDING TO 10 TO 14
FT AFTER MIDNIGHT. RAIN. PATCHY FOG. VSBY 1 NM OR LESS.

(ohsweetjesus)

SUN
W WINDS 25 TO 30 KT...DIMINISHING TO 15 TO 20 KT IN THE
AFTERNOON. SEAS 8 TO 11 FT...SUBSIDING TO 5 TO 8 FT IN THE
AFTERNOON. SHOWERS LIKELY IN THE MORNING WITH VSBY 1 TO 3 NM.

(hopefully, by afternoon they mean 'around 7am', when we must depart.)

3-5 foot seas are my max.

15 knot winds, depending on the direction, is all I can handle.

I will be heavily medicated. How many tranquilizers will it take to get me across??

Stay tuned....

What to do on a cold and dreary weekend

2009-10-23T07:30:00.001-04:00

93 perfect little meatballs....

does not a 7 quart pot of chicken soup make.

No, not at all.

So I took out more chicken, and the 15 quart pan, and began again.

You wouldn't think 4 people could eat 15 quarts of chicken soup with little meatballs and tortellini in 3 days, would you?

Well, you would be wrong.

Now, a smart person would have used half of those lovely little meatballs in something else.

Some stroganoff, perhaps...or maybe just took the easy way out, and froze half for some quick dinner some rushed weekday night.

That's what a smart person would do. But I had my sights set on chicken soup, and chicken soup I made. Lots of it.

And all was right with the world.

And then look what I found!

My sock mojo!

Turns out, it was hiding in the stash. I know! Always the last place you look.

I was drowning my sorrow at not being able to attend Rhinebeck (despite my repeated pleas and protests, they will not change the date for me) by ~~dumping the entirity of my stash out on the floor and rolling around in it nekkid~~ perusing the stash.

Oh my.

There is alpaca in there I'd forgotten about. Some cashmere. (Where in the world did that come from, I wonder?) And so, so much more!

And Pirate Yarn. I hoard Pirate Yarn like a squirrel hoards nuts.

I love almost all yarn, and ANY hand dyed is guaranteed to be loved in my house...but Pirate Yarn? It is my Most Favorite, I Will Do Most Anything To Have It yarn.

(I had to add the 'Most' because The Big Guy checks in here sometimes, and I don't want him getting any ideas.)

And the stash made me feel oh-so-much better about not being able to run off to New York to meet up with my many imaginary internet friends and see Ysolda and Gundrun, and Joe, and Casey and Jess, and Karen, and Cara...

grrrr.

It was a windy and blustery and rainy weekend here in Maine, and I made a vat of chicken soup, and welcomed my boys back from their loooong moose hunting trip and did lots and lots o'laundry, and was so so glad to have been sucked into this once again:

Ah, yes. That is the Mystery Sock '09 from Kirsten at Through The Loops.

I did this last year, and loved the way the pattern was broken down into 4 weeks. No pressure to finish the whole thing at once- just little bits.

This pattern, like last year's is AWESOME.

She's taught me to break apart the elements of a sock, and mix and match pattern pieces.

No more, 'that's a cool sock, tell me exactly what you did so I may re-create it', for me!

The bad part: that is Noro up there. You knew that from the colors, I'm sure.

While I love me some Noro in worsted, I am NOT loving the Noro sock.

My OCD is in high gear, with this thick-thin crap going on. Some places it's as thick as worsted (not kidding), some places are thinner than broomstick lace. I'm afraid to even breathe on it.

Don't know how the whole sock will fare, but I've turned the heel, and am ready to pick up for the gusset.

Can't beat the colors though, can ya?

Then came that stash dive. And all that Pirate Yarn. That yummy colored, perfectly- even BFL.

And there was this:

Hard Cider. Yeah, baby.

Who can resist those colors? Not me!

And in a burst of sock- passion not previously known, I cast on for a second pair.

I do not own a single skein of solid colored sock yarn. Not one kettle dyed skein.

Not even a tonal skein. (Though I did have some, and used it.)

I love me the hand dyed stuff, and do not so much care that the lovely, intricate, painstakingly thought out pattern I am using will never be seen by anyone but me (and those whose face I shove my socked foot in).

I leave you with this knowledge:

I am knitting four socks, at the same time, magic loop.

It must be Fall!

Mail Bag

2009-10-21T12:22:00.003-04:00

Dear Friend Woolymama,

Please, please, for the love of God, do NOT tell my husband about your trip to Sam's Club in your newly acquired bus.

Please do not mention how there was ample room aboard for all your necessities, and still room left over for the kids. (What was that like?)

Whatever you do, please do not mention having room for a woodstove, along with all the groceries.

And do not let on that all of your purchases made it home dry, without aid of tarps which peel off on the highway and drag behind you, leaving shreds of their plastic selves for miles and miles.

The reason for my concern is that our vehicles are getting bigger and bigger. I keep saying 'He'll have me in an 18-wheeler before it's all over.'

Should he hear about this bus-thing, I'm done-for.

Just the fact that things are put 'aboard' will have his antennae perked up.

No good can come of this; no good, I tell you.

You can, however send over one of those incredible 'Breakfast Pies'. That would be well-received!

Thanks,

Marissawhoneedstoconquerpiecrustbecausesheisdyingforpumpkinpie

Dear friend Bella*,

I don't know how much longer I can go on calling you 'friend' when you so viciously fill your website with recipes, and worse, pictures of the cooked items. I mean, I thought we were amici, seeing as you cook in the same manner I do; grabbing readily available ingredients and throwing them together in simple ways that show off their best attributes. I liked that about you from the start.

But I see now that it was just a ploy to charm me under your spell. And now, when you make something I do not have the ingredients for...I'm a wreck. I can attribute at least 5 pounds of each thigh to you. (I don't have time to list the parties responsible for the other 482 pounds of each thigh.)

Sigh...those shrimp avocado sandwiches we ate all summer in my home made hot dog rolls....all your fault. Not mine, surely not mine.

And now you've sucked me into your It's-OK-To-Be-Obsessed-With-Nutella eating world, and all I can think about is home made pasta and how much more basil I will have to grow next year to keep up with our demands.

I have to go. I have some mushrooms that need to be cooked, and they are saying something about pesto and pizza they saw on your blog last night.

Trying hard not to resent you,and trying harder to avoid nutella right out of the jar,

Marissa

*ps. I know your name is Paula, but to me you are, and will always be, Bella. Ciao, Bella!

My Dearest 'Manda,

I know you mean well, cooking and baking up a storm as you do. I know you probably can't help yourself, feeling the need to create wondrous meals each and every day, and luscious, innovative desserts. And I totally understand the compelling need to share that goodness with the world, believe me, I really do...

But.

That's my problem.

Butt. The side effect of all this yummy stuff is my bee-hind. My pants would like to ask you to slow down, please. They are stretched to their maximum stretchitude, and are making an audible sigh of relief upon removal at the end of the day.

We implore you, please slow down. Like maybe two awesome recipes a week, that would be good. Because at the current rate there aren't enough days in the year to try all the good things you come up with, and I'm starting to cave under the pressure. Or expand, as the case may be.

Thanks,

Marissaandhertootightpants

Organized Sports on Frenchboro!

2009-10-17T15:22:00.003-04:00

Our very small school held it's very first Cross Country Running meet today.

Those of you who live in the real world cannot understand the importance of this event for us, having multiple opportunities to expose your kids to sports and classes.

One of the things we sacrifice in order to live on this island is the ability to participate in dance, karate, or gymnastics classes. Football, baseball, softball, hockey...we try, but in order to make a 'team', all ages must play. Most times, we don't have enough kids in grades k-8 to make a whole team, let alone two.

And lets face it, an 8th grader playing baseball against a 1st grader isn't much of a sports challenge. (Unless it's Elijah!)

So we do what we can, with what we have.

This year, our teachers focused on running. Awesome!

It was a huge hit with the kids.

So our teachers asked a school from a neighboring island to join us on Frenchboro for some healthy competition. There were five students from Isle au Haut.

The Sunbeam, a boat belonging to the Maine SeaCoast Mission, brought the Isle au Haut kids over through some nasty weather.

The first race was k-2. There were three kids (all Frenchboro's), and they each won a medal. They did a great job!

Here is the second group of racers lining up, the 3rd and 4th graders.

And they're off!

They ran .8 miles. It didn't take them long.

Coming in for the finish...

You just know he's saying "No WAY I'm gettin' beat by a GIRL!"

But he did.

Thing One was in 4th place!

She was a little bummed not to medal, but took it well. (Ah..the importance of competition:learning to lose gracefully. Something Frenchboro has lacked for a lot of years.)

The big dudes: grades 5-8. Should be some competition here!

Lining up:

These guys ran 1.8 miles. They were back in 13 minutes. I couldn't do that with a snot-spraying bull hot on my heels.

But this guy could. And did.

lookit him go!

After all the runners caught their collective breath, Mr. Finn presented awards.

Little Miss was proud as a peacock to have placed 3rd. Ten bucks says she sleeps in that thing.

There they are: the K-2 team. Pretty darn happy.

(Thing Two would have run with this group, but he is off with The Big Guy on a moose hunt!)

You'll have to take my word for it, but that's Thing One under that hood, receiving her ribbon for 4th place. We've hung it in her room.

The 3rd and 4th grade Team, in all their glory. Miss P on the right took first place.

Speedy Gonzalez, who placed first in the 5-8th grade race.

Our twins were 2nd and third, respectively. I'd tell you their names, but I can't tell you which is which. They routinely switch hats to trip me up. One had a cast on recently, so I was really 'on my game' for a bit...but he got it off the other day. I'm sunk; they'll be back to their old hi-jinks.

Little Sister wanted in on the action!

Following the awarding of medals and ribbons, Mr. Finn had trophies to bestow.

Frenchboro won the trophy for Most Medals. They won first, second, and third place in all three races. Way to go kids!

You think he had a good time?

Isle au Haut won the Sportsmanship Trophy. they did a great job, too.

They were blown away by our three very steep hills! We had an edge we didn't know about!

We all headed to school for a celebratory lunch.

And, hopefully, later, there will be a little nap! (I can dream.)

Next week, we will do it again with Isleford school.

Many thanks to the Sunbeam for providing transportation back and forth between the islands. It is a nightmare of planning to coordinate ferry schedules and car rides.

We are so very thankful to the Mission for helping us gather the island kids together!

This guy hasn't made it to Kindergarten yet (much to his chagrin), but was right in the thick of things.

Today, he was hunting moose.*

With a bow, no less.

Oh, be still my achin' uterus.

I can only take small doses of this kid, because I start taking a mental inventory of baby paraphernalia in my attic, and thinking things like, 'if I conceive in March, I'll be due in....'

If he goes missing, you should probably check my house first.

I don't remember what I did as a city kid at this age.

Here's what our kids do. They build forts, and teepees.

This one is right across from the Post Office, so I see them working on it a lot. It used to be composed of discarded metal, old lawn chairs, sharp, nasty things.

They were instructed to find other, less tetanus- inducing materials.

This looks way more authentic.

Any day now I expect I'll look out to see a moose hide thrown over top of it and them living in it.

Better than drugs, I say.

*While we do currently have two moose visiting the island, we are not able to hunt them here, season or not. You must have a special lottery-drawn moose permit, and hunt in specified zones. Our moose have nothing to fear from this particular bow!

My Cormorant Buddy

2009-10-15T15:46:00.001-04:00

I'm not much of a 'bird' person, but I was avoiding an unpleasant task, and saw this dude perched on a spiling. When I walked closer, he didn't move. I got a bit closer. He stayed.

He's a Cormorant. A Shag, as they're known around here.

(DownEast, they call them Shitpokes. And only they could tell you why.)

I stared at him. I don't think I've ever been this close before.

He watched me, watching him.

And played up to the camera, just like my kids do.

(This particular Shag has a British accent. I don't know why. He just does.)

(And it's not one of those Aristocratic British Accents, it's a cockney British accent. I don't much go for the whole haughty crowd. I like 'em Real. I wouldn't have played with this dude if he sounded snooty.

Just how I roll...)

Wall, 'Ello, luv.

Taikin' pictures, are ya?

'Ere...get me good side.

Blimey, may'se well get me bad side, too, then.

And the High Lord Rochester pose, luv.

Must've that one, as well.

Thanks for playing Mr. Shag.

I think it's clear that I will do anything to stay away from re-certifying my X-ray License. Sigh.

Edited to add: I'm done re-certifing. This was from last week. It made me laugh all over again, and as a bonus, the sun was out and it looks warm, something I am missing right now!

Things I've learned:

2009-10-13T11:35:00.002-04:00

...while studying to recertify my X-ray licenses...

1 in 8 women will develop some version of breast cancer in their lifetime.
This is an increase, because for years I've been citing 1 in 9. Unless the seven articles related to breast health I read all used the same source (unlikely) or all seven sources were wrong (also unlikely). Disturbing news.
The Human Genome Project blows my mind. And I don't know what to make of the moral/ethical aspect of it. If you test positive for a gene, do you act upon that knowledge? And what if the dude who performed your test was high (because, as Mr. Hand says, everyone is on dope.)?? Can the results truly be trusted?
What the hell is up with Autism? 1 in 150 children? And we aren't sure why? What DO these researchers do all day?? (Yeah, that IS a slam to those much-coveted research fellowship positions the Harvard boys clawed for back in the day.)
And diabetes? Want to hear the coolest, cutting-edge treatment being investigated right now? Transplanting pancreatic islet cells to make your own insulin. This could be HUGE. My hands shook while I researched the implications of that. Hats Off to the dude who pulls THAT off! If it works, it'll be the biggest advancement in medicine since penicillin, if only for the sheer number of people who will benefit. Wow.
And, a bad choice of class for me was Shaken Baby syndrome: Diagnosis and Treatment. I research stuff like this, and want to pass legislation that requires all females to be sterilized, and have to pass a test to be allowed to breed. (We collectively came up with that idea on the weekend night shift at Mass General Hospital. It was inspired by some of the beauties who rolled through our EW doors. They were the ones who needed a shake, not the babies.)

Now that I'm all edumacated, I get to go back to the sock from Kirsten's blog.

It's the perfect cold, rainy day to curl up with a sock, while wearing a sock (or two), and dreaming of yet more socks.

And chocolate. It's a good day for chocolate.

I MUST share!

2009-10-09T22:13:00.002-04:00

A reminder (as if I need one) of what I'm in for with Thing One in just a few short years.

"Mom, I want a thong".

Though I don't see my daughter knitting one. She makes more money lobsterfishing than I do at the post office.

send help.

How to lower your blood pressure, instantly:

2009-10-08T10:12:00.000-04:00

Yup.

Oh, yeah.

That'll get the knots out of yer rope.

Birthday Wishes

2009-10-06T14:09:00.003-04:00

SOMEBODY had a birthday last week.

And that SOMEBODY wanted cheesecake for dessert.

But not chocolate cheesecake, my first thought.

Not pumpkin cheesecake, my second.

Not even turtle cheesecake (drool), my third.

Not Bailey's, or Amaretto! Not lemon!

No, SOMEBODY had to have PLAIN cheesecake.

really? plain?

So I made a plain cheesecake. I tried to add to it every step of the way, but SOMEBODY was undeterred.

I added pizzazz to the rest of ours before eating.

The home made caramel sauce was perfect!

Happy Birthday, Tammy!

Summer Slumber Party

2009-09-21T16:35:00.003-04:00

Hairstyling and nails and funny faces, topped off with yoga.

Then an ice cream run. Yes, in pajamas. Yes, even in Boston.

All except Papa, that is.

Don't want you all gettin' ideas.

Possessed

2009-09-14T19:52:00.002-04:00

I have been enchanted.

Spellbound.

Charmed.

Bewitched.

By this:

It seems I CAN knit lace!

All it took was some mesmerizing blue silk with beads and some wooden needles.

I can't put this down.

Evil Eye

2009-09-12T11:01:00.000-04:00

...perfected by a cat.

I wouldn't sleep in the same room with this animal.

He knows too much.

Put The Lime In The Coconut...

2009-09-11T09:25:00.000-04:00

Here's the thing about running a business; your time is not your own.

Like, when you have a large order to fill on the day you come home from vacation, you can't just say, 'I'll get to it tomorrow'.

You'll get to it today. Regardless of what else you thought you were going to do.

It makes for some interesting events. It also separates the men from the boys.

I love it.

Like, when your car is full of $2000 worth of groceries, and you can't take the afternoon necessary to put it all away. So you just use the stuff from the car.

You must be thick-skinned, though, to absorb those looks from the neighbors who are watching you measure flour into your mixing bowl from a 50 LB bag in the back of your van.

I love the memories I'm making for my kids.

You've got to laugh at that crap, or you'll go insane.

You crank up the ipod to some crazy music, put the kids somewhere safe, and put your head down and work.

But fate is fickle, or God has a sense of humor, or the Devil hangs out in my kitchen...because the speaker remote has this little button which causes the last song played to repeat over and over and over. And this button is very close to the volume button.

And That Day, the day I was so busy, and couldn't unload my car, I hit that button.

Put the lime in the coconut...

...and drink 'em both up....

over and over and over.

Now, the first time, I laughed like a crazylady, and danced around to it. (How can you NOT dance around to that song???)

By the third time, it weren't funny anymore.

By the tenth time I was throwing measuring cups across the room in an attempt to knock the ipod off the speakers.

After that I gave up, washed the mess off my hands (I was kneading dough at the time and hadn't wanted to stop), and shut it off.

I just plugged in my ipod to make a new playlist.

Guess what came on?

I haven't heard the last of this, either...

through the window, I can see my kids and 3 extras, dancing around and singing it!

Prettiest Day Ever

2009-09-10T05:09:00.001-04:00

Early in the morning:

Later that afternoon:

And later that night:

(That red light is Bass Harbor Light.)

What a gorgeous day!

At one point we were driving across Trenton Bridge. On my right was this gorgeous fading sunset, the sky a light reddish pink over Blue Hill Bay...and on my left was Frenchman's Bay, with a denim blue sky and the faint full moon.

It was so amazing, I will never forget it.

And then we rode the boat home under that bright full moon.

There wasn't a ripple on the water.

And all was right with the world.

18 years and counting

2009-09-09T06:40:00.000-04:00

We have attended the Blue Hill Fair, in Blue Hill, Maine for 18 years in a row.

That's almost embarrassing. What's really embarrassing is that we still love it.

They have sheep. And we all know how I feel about sheep.

They have goats. And I love them, too.

And cows, and pigs, and chickens and turkeys...and llamas!

Take me home.

Pick me. Choose me. Love me.

(Quick- name the TV show!)

Double Trouble. They were awful hard to walk away from.

In fact, I didn't. I played with them for long, long time.

These two were picking out names. For 6 goats.

That's a lotta poop, 6 goats. I don't care how small they are.

There was some new stuff at the fair this year.

really?

I suppose we all have to think about it eventually...but at the fair??

And what the heck is he smiling about?

Of course, I found the fiber section right away. This has gotten really sparse the last few years. There were no vendors at all this year, only the llama guy.

He had 2 and 4oz skeins of beautiful undyed llama wool, which found their way into a bag in my hand with no help from me, whatsoever.

Though I may have heard the words, " Go distract your Father" emanate from my mouth.

It's all a fibery, blurry haze.

The llama Dude tried to get me to take a garbage bag of fur home.

But I couldn't hide a bag that size, and had to walk away.

The Things decided they were old enough for Big Kid rides this year.

I did not agree, but I lost the vote. We are a democratic family. I liked the Monarchy better, where I had the last word.

They went on the bumper cars. I could handle that.

He could barely reach the pedals, but he LOVED this!

She could reach the pedals just fine, and was kicking butt.

Then she decided she HAD to go on the ferris wheel.

He was all, 'I don't know....'

She was armed with her very best bribes and threats.

...praying for a way out of this....

Checking out what he's really getting himself into...

"Um, I don't think this is a very good idea..."

"Oh, c'mon! I'll be your best frieeeeeend!"

Desperately thinking of a way out...

But she wasn't hearing any of it.

Notice her hand at his back...gently urging him forward....

Wait, I was so caught up watching their exchange that I forgot my babies were about to be lofted many, many feet high in the air!

Hey! Ride Guy! I've changed my mind!

I didn't vote for this! And I'm the Queen!

This is a close up of their faces in the last picture.

look at him, all resigned to certain death.

Look at her.

Aren't I supposed to have a few more years before I get that face???

Isn't that a face a teenager makes at her Mom?

How can I be getting that face already??

Oh crap, there they go.

Oh Dear God. That's very high.

Is that thing swinging? Is it supposed to swing?

I didn't see the other ones swing!

And then I noticed this hose.

This hose, which was leaking.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

That got The Big Guy's attention. He looked over the hose from where we stood. Said it was a hydraulic hose.

Is that bad? Don't they need that? Why is it there if they don't need it? They wouldn't put it there if it wasn't necessary. That means it's necessary! And it's leaking!

My kids are up there.

He decided it didn't matter, as the kids completed their first round. They went around 3 or 4 more times. I couldn't focus to take any more pictures.

And after they put me through all that torture, the little buggers got off the ferris wheel, declared it lame, and went back on the bumper cars.

This is why I drink wine.

And so it begins again...

2009-09-08T10:20:00.002-04:00

school.

The Things love it, which helps.

They were up and roaring at 7am, plenty of time for them to be out the door by 7:45.

(Any more time, and they get into toys, and end up late!)

She's wearing the dress Bradley won in the raffle at the

August Dinner, here on the island.

Bradley didn't figure he'd get much use of it, and gifted it to Thing One.

We have prizes for him, for being so generous, which we will surprise him with this afternoon.

First Grade.

Third Grade.

She wants to know when she can start having coffee in the mornings.

I said what any normal Mother says, "When you're 35, same year you may start dating."

Nuthin' but trouble, here.

Here's the whole crew:

Look at all our boys. Look how clean- cut and neat they are.

I love our kids. We have the best kids.

Fourteen kids, 2 teachers.

They are going to have a blast this year.

Including this little doll. She just needed a second cup of coffee this morning.

Wishful thinking

2009-09-07T13:28:00.003-04:00

I can't spin.

I'm spin-challenged.

I haven't thrown myself into this whole hog, so I won't give up just yet...

but it ain't looking good for me.

But I know some of you can spin. I've seen it. It's awesome, and it makes me really really want to be able to do it too.

(So, really, my obsession with spinning is all your fault. It makes me feel better to have somebody else to blame for my faults. I was born in the sixties. The late sixties. Almost the seventies. Sort of. But I'm 29.)

So I'll tell you about Annie, who spins. And raises llamas. And has llama fur for sale. In colors. Amazing colors.

And you will be able to partake of her lovely llama fur, and make great things, and then show them to me.

And I'll be happy, and a bit jealous at the same time.

But I'll also be inspired to sit with that cussed spindle yet again to see if I can make anything come off it that even vaguely resembles yarn.

Just when I think I've seen it all...

2009-09-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

along comes this gem.

I'm sorry; this would just put my husband over the edge.

He had all he could stand with the 'milking machine', aka an electric breast pump. (With hands-free attachment. Use with AA cups only. Definitely not G. Trust me.)

and no, that is not a typo.

You can stop laughing now, thanks.

Glitz and Glam

2009-09-04T07:31:00.001-04:00

Bead purists would probably call it cheating....

But I do not care.

I'm having flashbacks to my glitzy Boston days. It was the 80's. Sequins and beads were big.

As was our hair.

I had to put it away before I got drool all over it. And then I took it out again.

I may not have remembered which site I saw it on when I told you about it...but when it came time to order it, I was spot on!

That's the Tilli Tomas from Kpixie. I am in love.

I know exactly what it is going to be.

It agrees wholeheartedly.

I have dug my claws into summer, and refuse to let it go.

Because I really like a challenge.

My determination is manifesting itself in color choice.

Here's a little something I started yesterday.

Huh, what do you know? Same blue.

This sucker is flying off my needles. I know! When's the last time you heard me say THAT??

But I'm very nearly done with the front, and when I find the camera card, I'll show you.

Just Because

2009-09-04T01:14:00.003-04:00

Because we can.

Because we should.

Because 1 in 9 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and that number is way, way too damn high...

support the American Cancer Society in the fight against Cancer.

Because it could be you.

(That link is to my friend Zonda's blog. She's a fellow ~~lunatic~~ X-ray Tech, and she's a cancer survivor, and she's doing the Relay For Life Walk, and she's funny as all get-out, and a great knitter, and I really, really want her to reach her goal amount for this walk. I'm counting on you.

Your boobs and bods are on the line, too.)

Acts of Kindness

2009-09-03T23:11:00.003-04:00

I love it, just LOVE it when I get goodies in the mail!!

I am a Bag Junkie.

It's what you become when you can't fit into size 6 clothes.

That, or a Shoe Junkie. ( I live on an island. I wear flip flops, and boots. That's it.)

I love everything about this bag; the colors, the size, the shape- the handles!

The lining!

But what I love the absolute most?

It was made just for me, by Gail From Kansas!

You remember Gail, don't you? She won the Coveted Yarn contest?

She is such a sweetie!

And look, there's more:

It's already been through the wash twice...and I think of Gail every time I pick it up.

Thank You, Gail, from the bottom of my heart.

People like you restore my faith in humanity. Mostly.