happy bug knitting

Christmas, and Snow!

2011-01-11T11:59:00.000-08:00

Well, our Christmas break started off with a bang! Will and his friends Tyler and Justin decided that they were going to go to Boone snowboarding on the 22rd of December and return on Christmas Eve. OK, well, I wasn't thrilled about it, mainly because I was 5:00 in the morning and made it just fine. I was going out to eat that evening with some girls to Riverside for dinner. My cell rang about 6:30, it was Abby (friend of Will and Tyler's) she said she was with Will at the ER. Time sort of stopped right then as I struggled to listen... I think my brain was buzzing or something. Will had fallen while snowboarding and had hit his head. He has had 2 previous concussions so I was a bit worried. Abby assured me that he seemed fine, but they were going to take him back in a bit for a CT scan. She said when she got the doctor, she would call me. At this point, dinner with the girls was off. I called Diana to let her know what was going on and promised that I would keep in touch with her. Abby called back several times to ask about allergies, and things and I finally spoke to the doctor at 8:00. She said there was no swelling or bleeding or fracture and that he seemed OK. I asked if they could possibly keep him for the night since he would be going back to an apartment with young adults and I would feel better if he had someone to watch him. She didn't seem to think we needed to go to Boone (5 1/2 hour drive). So, I continued trying to call Will's girlfriend, Jordan to let her know he was in the hospital, and continued to update family on his status. The phone rang again around 10:15 that night and it was a different Doctor. This was from the attending surgeon, he related what had happened since 8:00. Will had taken a turn for the worse, confused, talking out of his head and combative. They were waiting on a neurological consult and contemplating taking him to Winston or Charlotte since they couldn't handle a major brain injury. I got really scared when he said that he may have permanent brain damage. We got Ward, Jordan and piled into the car and started our trip to Boone. We left home at 11:00 pm and arrived at the hospital at 4:30 am. Long long car ride. Thank goodness for the ICU nurse that was in charge of Will. I called her every hour, and I prayed. I prayed that the Lord would not make him better, not make him OK, but that he would be exactly the same person that left my house the day before. At 1:45, the nurse told me that he had answered questions with yes or no. That was a small light.... I was thrilled. Next hour, no change. Then at 3:45 , the nurse said he sat up and had to go to the bathroom, he knew his name and his age, and where he was. WOO HOO!!! We got there and he was sleepy, but woke up enough to say hey. At 6:30, he rolled over and saw Jordan and I heard "hey Jordan". That was music to my ears! The Doctors came in and couldn't believe how well he was doing. They both said that they were shocked that it was the same kid they had seen the night before. Apparently he scored really low on his neurological score the night before. They told us that they were going to let us go home. He had to get up and walk around and eat something, but by 11am we were on our way back to Swansboro. Quite a busy 24 hours!! But, the best Christmas present was that he was back to normal, although I will say a bit sweeter.... hope it lasts! The rest of our break was pretty non-eventful. We had snow the day after Christmas which was nice, stayed in my pj's all day! Back to school on the 3rd. All was great that first week. Then snow again on Sunday, January 9th and two missed days of school to make up!! Boo Hiss!!!!!!

School is back in session!!!

2010-08-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Can't hardly believe that my summer is over!! I don't know what I will do without my morning naps and watching one hour of Will and Grace everyday! I will say that my summer was wonderful. My sister and her kids came for a nice visit. I went to two concerts, Dave Matthews with my dear friend Emily and Jack Johnson with Sarah and Sarah. All in all, not a bad summer. But, now it is time to go back to work! (school) We had staggered enrollment this past week and I get all my babies on Monday! I might be dead by the end of the day tomorrow, so it is good that I am writing this today! They look like a good group, can't wait to get in there and teach them. I am currently working on a quilt for Jordan in my new sewing room. As soon I get the top sewn together, i will post a picture. It looks beautiful so far. More later, if I survive Kindergarten this week!

Summer at last!

2010-06-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

Had a great morning today. My aunts are here and crazy cousin Marion from colorado! we all went out in the boat and had a blast! They are a hoot! Tomorrow is the Job Fair, I am representing Sand Ridge tomorrow, so that should be fun! I am making headway on the sewing room, slow but steady progress. Hopefully tonight I will hang the two whale hooks and get some tote bags off the floor...... no, i don't have too many tote bags, i have just the right amount. haha! I have started knitting scarves for Christmas for the Kindergarten kiddos! Hopefully this weekend will get out to the theater to see Toy Story 3! Can't wait!! Ya'll have a great day!

My Granny

2010-04-04T07:15:00.000-07:00

It's Easter Sunday and I miss my Granny. When I was a small one we (my sister and cousins) would go to my Granny's for an egg hunt among the azalea bushes and Easter dinner. I haven't really thought about that in years, it's funny how you miss certain things. My Granny passed away in August and I can still hear her voice calling my name and her laugh. I hope I never lose that. I love and miss you Granny! Thanks for teaching me to make fried chicken and to laugh at silly things and to not take things too seriously. We share the same middle name, same blood, same family. I love you! Happy Easter!

leg warmers part 1

2010-01-26T17:24:00.000-08:00

ok, so i got a new knitting book for Christmas and there was a pattern in it for leg warmers. Now, I thought this is something I could do! And I am always cold, so sounds perfect for me! I have one leg almost done, took it down to The Salty Sheep to get some advice on length and was told " you should try this stretchy bind off" huh?? Stretchy bindoff... shouldn't i have done a stretch cast on?? I looked on knitty.com and found the pictures and instructions but we all know I can't figure that crap out. I need a video. So, scooted over to youtube and found Cat Bordhi demonstrating the stretchy bind off! Looks super easy and I think I could do it. I haven't tried it yet, but I think it is possible. I guess I need to get cracking. It is supposed to be cold again this weekend, so maybe that will spur me on to finish.

Running is better, knee is better, maybe run that 1/2 afterall.

been awhile!

2009-10-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, so, it has been since April... but things are pretty much the same around here. Made it through the summer without any incidents. Will is going to school @ Coastal and Ward is in High School. Hard to believe that my baby is in High School. He is going this week to get his permit. I am thinking about Christmas presents and making some pillows. Things to do this week.... meetings, run, read book club book, take ward to get permit, go see Where the Wild Things Are, make soup. I will hopefully get around to posting some pictures soon. Just wanted all my "readers" to know I was still alive... hahaha!

Prom 2009

2009-04-06T15:17:00.001-07:00

Prom 2009..... these are some of my faves! Don't they make a cute couple??

New Year! Snow on the way!

2009-01-19T16:50:00.000-08:00

Finally 2009! Woo Hoo!!! We had a great quiet relaxing Christmas. Rick and I had a great time shopping and being together. It was really nice. Didn't want to go back to school at all. We are almost finished with the first semester of school. Exams this week. Weatherman is calling for snow tomorrow, and they have cancelled school. I hate missing school. I really hate it!! Such a pain making up school. Made the delicious almond cake that the Angry chicken was talking about the other day. It is wonderful. They carry the almond cake filling at Lowe's Foods. Delicious!!

You guys have a great day!!

Almost Thanksgiving and boy am I thankful!

2008-11-18T09:25:00.001-08:00

Thought I would take a moment to be thankful for my kids. First of all Will, a Senior in High School, just finished out the soccer season and is now prepping for his first basketball game of the year. I am so proud of him. Proud of his ability to play sports and complete school work and be a good son and a good boyfriend. His childhood has truly flown by and everytime I think about him graduating, I tear up. I am going to miss him and all of his friends. They have all become a part of our family.

I am also thankful for Ward. He certainly marches to the beat of his own drum. Doesn't follow in his brother's footsteps at all. He is getting ready to play rec. basketball, and hopes to make the school team. But he enjoys fishing and skateboarding more than his brother ever did. Has been spending a lot of time out on that quarter pipe in our front yard.

I love them both so much and feel truly blessed to have them in my life. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Make sure you tell someone you love them, and that you are thankful that they are in your life.

Sorry it has been way toooo long!

2008-09-26T17:57:00.000-07:00

Hi all!! Well school has started and now I am busy as heck!! I currently have 6 scarves completed for Kindergarten Christmas presents, 2 quilt tops sewn but not completely embroidered. A yearbook that I have got to get going on!! It is on the computer, but I have absolutely no idea how to do it!! I have an IGP to write and submit by Friday, lesson plans to complete and a newsletter to write. I need to get my fall crap out of my attic and get it up before I turn around and it is Christmas!! Sheesh.... sorry this has been a complain fest! Ok, on to something good. My sister and her kids are coming tomorrow and staying for 3 weeks. I am going to Myrtle Beach with the girls in 3 weeks! Oh, and it is almost Mullet Festival!! My favorite weekend of the year! Sorry no picture today, but I promise next time. Hope all of you are wonderful and happy and healthy! Happy Fall!

Ben's Christening

2008-08-10T06:04:00.000-07:00

Well the Wellons family was here last week for the blessed event of christening sweet Ben. This was Friday night, we were celebrating at the Icehouse restaurant. That is my sister Grayson's hand sticking a lemon on poor baby Ben's tongue!! Always good for a laugh. Babies and lemons! In other baby news my friend Anna is a new aunt! Her sister Julie had her baby on Thursday. John Fisher Hamm is here and weighed in at a whopping 10.6lbs!! Wow! Everyone is doing fine and Anna is thrilled that she was in town for the birth. This is my last week of summer vacation! Boo Hiss!!! Can't believe that the summer is over! I need to get busy on scarves for Christmas and finish Fisher's baby quilt. I have to go get some more thread, so hopefully tomorrow I will get to Hancock's for thread. So, I am hopeful to tie up loose project ends this week and get some boat/beach time in. Starting today..... going out in the boat as soon as I get off work! Hope you all have a great day!! Peace out!

He's Just a Sk8r Boy.....

2008-07-18T05:16:00.000-07:00

I had really high hopes that I would get a blog entry in everyday, but alas.... wasn't meant to be! Although in my defense this picture was taken yesteday of Ward. He and some friends have found this old abandoned place (sorry, he told me not tell ya) to skate. Yes, me being the good mom went out there yesterday and took them some Gatorade and snapped a few pix! He has a few skate scrapes on his knee and on his chin. I guess those are badges of honor. Anyway we are all gearing up at our house for the new Batman flick coming out this weekend. Will and Tyler are coming home from camp tomorrow and want to go see it. I can't wait to go, but they want to go Saturday night and I am supposed to be involved with a sleepover with all my girlfriends from high school. So, I may have to bow out and go see it on Sunday. The weather is supposed to be yucky anyway, some sort of tropical system. I have started a scarf for Christmas for the Kindergarten children. I went to Wal Mart yesterday and stocked up on some Red Hart. I know, not the best yarn, but cheap and the kids use the scarves for leashes, belts, tug of war... you name it. So, I figured the cheaper the better!! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Peace Out Sugars!

Bulletin Board Love

2008-07-16T07:29:00.000-07:00

I know, don't faint.... I can't believe it either, that I am making another post this week and that I took a picture of the bulletin board like I said I would. Weird. Maybe I am getting ready to keel over! So, there it is in all it's glory.It is hard to see the white trim b/c of the white wall, but the ribbon is inside the white frame part. I really only put the ribbon there to hide the fabric edges and I didn't have enough of one color, so I went with the double. I will be putting more stuff on it, but didn't want to fill it up and not show it off first. Not too bad for a major diy project. Did a little embroidery last night while I watched the All-Star game. No, I didn't make it to the end.... sheesh 15 innings! But great that the AL won and that JD Drew was the MVP! Could have done without all the booing when they called my boys names out! Damn Yankees! hee hee! Ok, so major productivity this morning.... walked 3 miles with mom this morning and then ran three, then went to grocery store at 7am,then cleaned out my refrigerator. Well, I am ready for a nap! I think I will run out to the local thrift store and poke around a little, then have lunch then maybe a nap! Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!

Peace Out Sugars!

4th of July girls!

2008-07-15T11:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know the 4th was several days ago, but just wanted to share my cutie patootie neices! I bought the crowns for them when I was down visiting the end of June and they look adorable! Hot here in lovely NC today, too hot to do a thing! Got a skirt pattern off of Angry Chicken yesterday so I may be back in business! I surely don't want to mess up any of my new pretty fabric. The next prototype will be on crap fabric. I will try to remember to take a shot of the new bulletin board tonight, then I can post it. I finally got it on the wall the other day. I had said I was going to get started on the Kindergarten scarf stash...... hmmmm... about that... I have finished one and am halfway through the second one. Got to get motivated!

Peace Out sugars!

Sox and Socks!

2008-07-14T05:49:00.000-07:00

Hey. Yes, that is Jacoby Ellsbury!! He plays centerfield for my beloved Sox! That girl on the left is the newest ball girl! I wish! No, that is just me after the game, even have my rally cap on. Ward and I had a blast at the game. It was so exciting! Certainly one of the most exciting days of my life. The only way it could have been better is if we had won. Oh, well, can't win them all! We had great seats (thanks brother in law Jim) and I took lots of great pictures. I swear it was the fasted game in MLB history! I would have loved for it to go into extra innings! hee hee!!

The next socks are the socks that have been started, ripped out, started, ripped out and started again. Yes, I know Peggy, they mysteriously look just like they did after the last rip out. That is because I haven't touched them. I am a little scared! I will have to come down to the shop and sit with you a while and relearn! I have been reading a lot this summer and running and working, that is my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!!

Well, Will is off to camp for a month so I am one teenager less around here..... which really means I am about 6 teenagers less, because his friends aren't here either! Things are kinda quiet. I bought some new fabric when I was in Tampa. I see lots of skirts being made!! I already tried a prototype, no pattern, just traced one of my skirts..... guess what.... couldn't get it past my thighs! sheesh! Maybe I need a pattern. Ok, hope you guys have a wonderful Monday!! I know I will, the sox are back in the lead in the AL East and it is the All Star break! WOW! I love baseball!! Peace Out Sugars!

Sometimes we all feel this way...

2008-06-22T05:10:00.000-07:00

I think it would be nice to just lay down on the ground with my trusty bagel and not worry about anyone or anything! It's a nice life, too bad it is basically reserved for the under 4 set! Well, my first week of summer vacation is officially behind me and I did get a lot accomplished this week. I mowed the grass, had blood drawn (fun!), ran errands in Jacksonville, went to see my granny in the nursing home, and got my husband to move the daybed out of my sewing room! That was a biggy! Now I have to go up there and clean up! That will not be fun. I forgot that we use the underside of the bed for luggage storage, so all those duffel bags are littering my small craft space! I am going to fix a bulletin board. I am thinking I will paint it and craft it up a little. I also moved a huge mirror out of my kitchen onto a new chest in my bedroom, which frees up kitchen space. I have purchased a new hutch to put in my kitchen, which will have to be painted red. Right now it is a hideous dark brown. The only problem is that where the hutch will go is my bookcase full of cookbooks. Hmmmm..... I figured I could take the bookcase upstairs to the craft room and put all my knitting, craft, sewing books in it, that way it will free up space in the bookcase downstairs. But trust me not enough space to put in all my cookbooks! I know that I need to get rid of cookbooks, because there are some that I don't use that much (or ever). But the thought of getting rid of cookbooks sends me reeling! So, I don't know what to do. I may have to go through some of them. But most of them have sentimental value, bought on a trip, given to me when I got married, given to me by my mother or grandmother. Well, certainly gives me something to think about! The good news I won't have to think about it too long because I am going to Tampa on Thursday!! WOO HOO!! Can't wait to see the girls and Ben and get lots of "aunt kisses" ! Hope you have a super week! Gregg

Holy Smokes!

2008-06-15T06:59:00.001-07:00

Has it really been over a month since my last post?? YIKES!!! Sorry to all my faithfuls! Hee hee, like I have faithfuls! Anywho.... my life has been busy! But school is out and it is finally summer so maybe things will settle. First the good news..... I have lost 30lbs! Yes, I am still surprised by it. It is weird and exciting buying clothes now. I have dropped 3 sometimes 4 sizes. So it is fun getting new clothes. But then stressful b/c I know I have to stay on top of it to stay this size and not go back to my old habits. I have several cord skirts that I am going to see about resizing and see if I can keep them. I really love them and don't want to donate them. But hit a great sale at penneys on friday. I got 3 cute skorts for 12.99 and a bunch of tees that were 5 a piece. Ok, on to crafty knitting stuff.
I have attempted 2x to knit the socks. peggy has yet again fixed them for me! I have not touched them since the last fix! sorry peggy! Now that school is out, hopefully I will slow down a little and I can knit. I did take a picture of my first sock toes, but ward deleted it off my camera when he was deleting some of his pictures. He said he didn't know what it was, so poof, gone! I am gearing up for some sewing. My plan is to get up in my sewing nook and straighten/pitch/clean and then I have a couple of baby quilts to make and a dress to sew together and a big quilt to plan. Hmmmmm...... Doesn't really leave a whole lot of time for sock and christmas scarf knitting!! I have got to get busy on those Christmas scarves for my kindergarten kiddos!!
Going to Tampa next week for almost a week.Get to see my sweet nieces and my nephew and of course my sissy! Going to see my beloved Red Sox play the Rays. Can't wait!!!!! Taking my camera, so be prepared for pictures when I get back.
Picture next time, I promise.
Have a wonderful Day!!

Gregg

PROM!!!

2008-05-05T07:13:00.000-07:00

Ok, Prom is over....Thank Goodness! I don't know if I could have handled it if I had a daughter, having a son going was stressful enough! Seven couples ate dinner at a friends house, the parents provided the food, ( I made 11 twice backed potatoes...22 halves!) Then we went over there to take pictures. It was a blast and I got some really good shots. I probably took over 100 pictures. The teenagers were very tolerant of all the parents which was weird! Anyway, just glad it is over! 25 days of school left....But I'm not counting! HA! Oh, one last thing went to see Forgetting Sarah Marshall last night. Hilarious. Highly recommend it! Fun for guys and girls. Ok, Peace Out!

Great week!

2008-04-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

Had a great spring break. Got lots of kisses from my little nieces and smooched a lot on my new nephew!! He is too cute! Lucy is at that fun age (21 mos.) where they copy everything you say. I had a blast with her. Taught her to say "Peace Out Sugar". Called her sugar so much while I was there that she had started calling me sugar by the time I left. I also taught her to yell "WOO HOO!" Too funny seeing/hearing her do that! High School baseball is winding down, this week is our last week. I am going to miss it. However, Red Sox ball is in full swing and I can't get enough of it!! Can't wait til the end of June Ward and I are going to see them play the Rays! More good news...... I have lost 20 lbs. I am finally in that weight loss zone and it feels good! Bought some beautiful fabric at Joanns while I was in Tampa. Thinking if I want to make a skirt or a jumper. I have a cute jumper pattern, so it may be that! Anything that I can just pull over my head and go is my kinda outfit! Bought some pretty flowers yesterday and got most of them in the ground. The yard is shaping up. 31 DAYS OF SCHOOL!! Yeah, I am a little excited. Although, I love a Spring Kindergarten child. They are wonderful. They know the drill, they are independent, sweet, terrific! It is a long road to get them to this point, but it is wonderful. I will try to slow down a little for the last days and enjoy it. August Kindergarteners, not as much fun! Enjoy your Sunday!

SPRING BREAK!

2008-04-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

It is finally Spring Break! I am so excited. Ward and I are going to Tampa on Thursday. We are flying Delta, so I hope we will not have problems. Mom and I went to hear Bill Clinton last night in Jacksonville. I thought he did a good job and it was inspiring which I guess was the point. Had an unusual night last night, didn't have any teenage boys sleeping at my house. Weird indeed! Friday night I had 7. Had to take some tylenol sinus nighttime to fall asleep at 1:00am. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't recommend drug use, but sometimes a girl needs her sleep! Hope to get some sewing in early this week, I need to get one pig in the mail to Texas and get another one cut out. We have a baseball tournament as well. But the game on Monday is at 10 am so I can be back home early. Can't wait until Tuesday to buy JUNO on dvd. I could watch it over and over again. I know I am rambling..... Ok enough for today. Ya'll have a great day!

Pigs,Pigs!

2008-04-06T15:31:00.001-07:00

So, finally a picture of the pigs! What do you think? These are the first two, and believe me they both have problems! I am hoping to send one to a sweet little girl on her first birthday. Then the 2nd one, well I don't know. If I give one to one niece, then I have to make another. So, we will see. But just wanted you to see them. Comment if you like! Have a great day

No Picture Today

2008-04-03T05:03:00.000-07:00

I am sick! I was hoping that I had skated clear of a cold since I have not been sick all winter and WHAM! got sick on Monday. I am still trudging along and going to school, but it stinks being sick! I have almost completely lost my voice. I am currently working on some ragdolls. I have made one and have four more cut out. However, as with everything I do, just kinda winging it and the arms and legs were too small. So, I made a new pattern, but didn't redo the body/head, but they look ok, at least to me. It is raining here and suppose to continue through tomorrow. I guess we needed the rain, but I am sick of it!! Have a wonderful day out there in blogland!

Nice Hair!

2008-03-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when you get the big brother to cut the little brother's hair! I am happy to say, that he did cut it off and he is not currently walking around like this! Whew!!
Couple of things on my mind this day before Easter.
1. I am not happy with Easter and St. Patrick's day basically being in the same week. I did not decorate for Easter and it makes me sad. However, I may just put some bunnies out for Spring.
2. I am doing well on Weight Watchers, lost 2.4 pounds this past week!! WooHoo! That is 11 total since Feb. 6th.
3. Why can't someone make jeans that fit my body? I really don't think it is asking too much.
4. I love to watch college basketball. There seems to be a game on at all hours of the day and night since it is March Madness!
5. I can't wait for Red Sox baseball. Total fanatic.
6. Really want to try to make a skirt. Of course my dumb self, just wants to use a skirt that I like and trace it out and make a pattern and let the seam ripper fly! We will see.
7. Great finds yesterday at the thrift store. A basket purse (vintage), a pair of little girl size 9 hanna andersson clogs (never worn) for 5.00, and some sweet old children's books.
Ok, enough rambling for today. After watching sweet Ms. Emily (Inside a Black Apple) on Martha the other day I learned something about putting a little softie animal together. So, now I can finish the 2nd pig and possibly not dread making the 3rd.

Happy Easter to you all! May it be filled with egg hunts and smeared chocolate kisses. I miss those days..... guess I will just have to wait for grandchildren!

Big Willy Style

2008-03-06T15:41:00.000-08:00

So, Will started today on a pitch count of 50. He did a great job! Course I am not bragging or anything! I couldn't be prouder! Hope you all had as good a day as I did. Nothing better than sitting on the ballfield watching your kid play on a beautiful "bluebird" day! Oh, yes Peggy that is Pete in the background playing second!

Random thoughts

2008-03-05T16:03:00.001-08:00

Ok for some reason everytime I try to upload a picture, blogger freezes. So, you are out of luck. I did have some pictures to share, but not today! Had a pretty good day at school today. I am trying to get a lesson up and running on the Smartboard. This is a great tool! It looks like a giant whiteboard but it is connected to a laptop. It has all these graphics in there and the kids can actually go up to the board and move things around with their fingers. They can write on it with their fingers or with the special markers. We are going to do a sorting activity with it tomorrow. I got it all set up and saved it to my thumbdrive, but when I tried to reopen it, it was there only teeny tiny. Apparently operator error! Hmmm, that is what the IT guy is for!!! I called him and he is coming to my classroom tomorrow morning. He should have never given me his cell number!!! So other than the teeny part, it was way cool and fun. Can't wait to do the lesson with my little kiddos, they are going to love it! Have any of you tried "Skinny Cow" ice cream sandwiches? They rock! The best part is that they are only 2 weight watchers points. I will gladly save my points til the end of the day just to have a little ice cream! Ok, i will try again later this week to post the picture. For now, Happy Hump Day!

Migraines and other things

2008-03-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

First of all have had the wortst migraine since yesterday. My head was actually thumping this morning. It has subsided somewhat but I know it is still there just waiting. Ok, on to more happy things. Number one happy thing from yesterday, I bought some cuties. Don't know what they are? Little Mandarin oranges. Oh my goodness they are wonderful!! Sweet as sugar! And the best part two of them are only 1 weight watchers point! Two! Can't even believe it! Yes, I rejoined weight watchers. I am heavier than I would like to be. There, enough said about that. Number two happy thing, my child went on an overnight camping/4 wheeler trip about 2 hours away and he survived it and had a great time. This was big for me, letting him go. But it is bound to happen, he is a junior in high school and will be in college soon enough. When that happens, I will have no idea what he is doing. You know no one tells you about this letting go stuff when you have a baby, too bad they can't stay 5 forever. I am currently working on a scarf, it is being knit out of eyelash pink yarn. I hate this yarn, really hate it. But it is for a sweet little 6 year old I know and that is the only reason I am doing it. Thank goodness I am almost finished. I feel bad I haven't posted all week. I have been way to busy. Time to slow down. Hope everyone out there in blog land has a relaxing, headache free sunday.

Baby Ben

2008-02-24T08:04:00.000-08:00

This is Ben. How cute is he? Even cuter b/c he is wearing a hat that I knit!! I couln't be prouder! Like I had something to do with it! Everything is going well, or at least that is the report that I am getting from the homefront! His two big sisters are happy, at least for now. Wait til he is bigger and getting in their stuff, then he won't be so cute. Welcome baby Ben. I can't wait to get my hands on you and smother you with kisses. You can come stay with your Aunt Gigi anytime.

Baby Ben Is Here!!!!

2008-02-20T15:54:00.000-08:00

Great news!! My sis had baby number 3 today!! Baby Ben is 8lbs 6oz and mom and baby are doing great!! I will post a picture soon. The ones right after delivery are not the best, so soon, I promise. My mom made it down to Tampa yesterday and her water broke at 11:00 last night. So, that was lucky. So happy to have a new baby. A nephew. I am great with boys. Give me a bug box, a field guide, mud, and a two year old, and let the good times roll!! Congratulations sissy! I love you!

Hey there is my kid in the paper!!

2008-02-18T13:20:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is Will soaring in for a layup on Friday night!! Woo Hoo!! This was in our local paper. Thanks to Randy Davie who took the photo. If you look close you can see my parents in the stands. Mom in the orange sweater, with dad right beside her. That is me behind dad sitting with Lachelle. We are busy, busy , busy with basketball. Friday was the last regular season game, we won. We start the conference tournament tonight. 8:30! Sheesh! I am usually in bed by 9. We have to go to East Duplin which is an hour away. I am going to be a tired pup tomorrow. Had a nice long weekend. Finished little Ben's quilt. I will have to take a picture of it and post it. It is strips, but no patches like the girls. It is very bright. Red, blue, yellow and some cute fabric with red whales. Too sweet! My sis is still prego. We are hoping for a Wednesday birth since it is the full moon and a lunar eclipse. He is due on the 29th, but my sis is hoping for earlier. I just hope she is done and home by sunday so we can watch the oscars together over the phone. I know my mother thinks we are crazy b/c we watch tv together over the phone, but I will take what I can get!! Can't believe that in a month it will be Easter! Yikes. My mom leaves for Tampa tomorrow to be there for the birth. The good news for me is, no waking up early to walk. So, I can sleep in, but will have to fit in a walk or run later in the day. Ok, you guys have a great week. I will try to post again this week with the quilt! Peace, Love and recycling.

Lucy's Quilt is done!!

2008-01-29T18:46:00.000-08:00

Ok, I finished Lucy's quilt in record time!! I would post a pic, but it is the same as Lilly's basically. I am working on some little softies that I will share hopefully this weekend. I have one made, but haven't finished the second one. Thought I would have finished it on Sunday, but all the quilt making wore me out!!! Heard through the grapevine that my friend peggy is opening a yarn shop here in town. I can't tell you how happy that makes me!! I won't have to drive to buy yarn, I can just walk down the street!!! I hope there will be some chairs at The Salty Sheep, cuz I am going to be spending a lot of time there!!! Way to Go Peggy!!! Can't wait!

Ding Dong the Quilt is done.....

2008-01-16T17:06:00.001-08:00

Ding Dong the quilt is done, which 'ol quilt? My first quilt!!! Well, it turned out better than I had hoped. The chenille was a great idea!! Got that off of sewmamasew. The top pattern was from Amy Karol's book Bend the Rules Sewing. Which I love!! But the addition of the chenille makes it nice b/c I didn't have to put anything in the middle. I have almost finished the top of Lucy's. Hopefully I am on a roll and won't let hers sit for months like I did Lilly's. The embroidery on the purple panel says Lilly, I (heart) you. Aunt Gigi. Anyway, I like it and will probably make more b/c it was super easy. You can't really see the cool flower stitch that I top stitched with but it shows up great b/c I used a hot pink thread. Anyway, hope it inspires someone out there!!!

Home with sick child

2008-01-14T07:16:00.000-08:00

Ok, so this the pile of scarves for my Kindergarteners. This picture does not show all 23 however, I think I ended up with 4 green, 6 red, 2 blue, 7 pink, 2 orange, 1 purple, 1 black. Fun times! I think maybe next year if I decide to do this I should ask them their favorite color the first day of school. That way I will have more time. Yes, Ward is sick today. Sore throat, fever. I finished the quilt!!! Well, it is sewn together. I am in the process of tying it right now. Going slow, may take me a while. My machine has the cutest flower stitch, I put it all the way around the quilt. I am very please with my first try with making a quilt. Now I have to get started on Lucy's. I think with the left over chenille I will make the girls some pillows or maybe a cute pink pig! All for today. Off to minister to the sick.

Can't believe that my kid is driving!!!

2008-01-12T14:12:00.000-08:00

So, a lot has happened since my last entry. For one thing, I am the parent to a licensed driver!! Holy Smokes!! Can't hardly believe that my little Will is mostly grown! Even though I worry about him, it has given me an extra arm. He can drive himself to and from practice, which is nice. We had a great Christmas around here. Lots of presents and surprises. Had a nice visit with my father in law and brother/sister in law. The ECU Pirates won their bowl game, that was exciting! I finally finished the scarves for my kindergarten class. 23 is a lot of scarf knitting. They were thrilled to get them, even if it was after Christmas. I had so many of the same color, that I backstitched their first initial on the bottom of each one. I am working on hat number 2. I like the first one I made, but think that it could be a little longer. So, I am trying again. I have one more deadline for the yearbook, really want to finish it! Maybe next year I will pass that baton to someone else. This month is too crazy with yearbook, report cards, and 2nd nine week assessing to do. My sister is in the short rows of her 3rd pregnancy. Can't wait for little Ben to make his appearance. Ok, I will post hopefully tomorrow, I have lots of pictures to share from the past month. Off to embroider on Lilly's quilt. (yes, I know, it isn't finished yet!)

Your moment of Zen.......

2007-12-06T14:14:00.000-08:00

This was the sight out my front window on Tuesday morning. Beautiful. This was at 6:45am. Course I had to run across the street and stand out on the dock, but I thought it was beautiful. Just wanted to share this with everyone and hope that it calms you down in this stressful, busy season. Take some time, stop, relax, enjoy!

Sorry

2007-11-27T18:31:00.000-08:00

Ok, I know, it has been a while. First things first, my beloved Red Sox won the World Series and I couldn't be happier! Ok, now on to other things. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We did. My mom and dad went to Tampa to be with my sister and her family, so I cooked and we had a nice relaxing day. Made real dressing and a real chocolate pie. Scalded the milk and everything. My granny would have been proud. I kinda hate this week, this last extra week of limbo between thanksgiving and christmas. What to teach at school this week? What else.... Wants and Needs. Hmmm.... Tough one when you are 5, let me tell you. I have finished the top of Lilly's lap quilt, have decided to put chenille on the back instead of binding it, read it on a blog (sewmamasew) if you haven't checked it out, do it. They have a craft a day for the month of november and some of them are great!! So, have to go into town and get the fabric for the back and sew lucy's. I have also decided to make scarves again this year for my little kiddos at school. Yes, I know I have 24 kids and I only had 18 last year. Yes, I know I have started way too late on this project. Yes, I know I am crazy!! I have 7 completed. I really shouldn't be typing at all right now, I should be knitting. I have a birthday coming up, still trying to figure out what I want. Can you wrap up time? I need time. Time to knit, time to sew, time to bake, time to visit with my friends, time to talk to my children. Over the next few weeks I am going to try to slow down and enjoy everthing and everyone that I love.

It's that time of year!!!

2007-11-12T11:51:00.000-08:00

It is trout tournament time! This was last Sunday, Ward won 4th place in the Ed Sewell speckled trout tournament. $40.00 check and a $50 savings bond, he was pretty stoked! But then he fished on Saturday in the Friendly City Speckled Trout Tournament and he came in 2nd place!! $100 dollars and a plaque. Pretty exciting stuff. I have enjoyed my day off today, have made lots of cleaning progress. I have thrown away a ton of stuff!! I want to clear out before the holidays so that I can enjoy it. I am back on the knitting scarf deal! I have made 2, 22 to go! Hope I can make it by December 20th. I have made two this weekend, so I am gonna have to step it up! Ok, off to knit! Happy Birthday Lilly! Can't believe you are 3.

Mullet

2007-10-17T17:28:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh, Mullet weekend, is there any better day of the year?? I say no! This is Will and his buds the morning of the mullet. Every year since I can remember, at least 20 some odd years we have gathered at Dee Dee's moms house for breakfast before the parade. We would always take a picture of all of us together.come to think of it, we didn't this year, bummer! Anyway, I did get this one of Will and gang. Should become a family classic. We ate our bellies full and then headed off to the parade. Usual parade..... firetrucks (loud), candy thrown off floats (not enough), no Miss North Carolina!!! Don't know what happened to her! Then off to downtown and the vendors selling their wares. I found a couple of things to buy. I bought a couple of tshirts, to really cute hair ties (which I am going to figure out how to make), a red sox stepping stone (I know we are 3 games back, don't mention it!), and an ECU crabpot floaty thing. Ok, that last thing is not easy to describe. It is 3 floats like you put on crabpots and they are painted purple and yellow with the ECU pirate on the biggest one. I have it on my porch and I like it. My sister couldn't make it this year, and it made me sad. It wasn't Mullet without her. Maybe next year she will be here. It was nice and cool in the morning, 54 when I got up to run at 6:30, but warmed up quick and I was looking for shorts by the end of the day. Usually I see somone from my past that I haven't seen in ages, but this year, I don't believe I did. I did see a lot of people that I love and had fun catching up. But no long lost anybody. Maybe next year I need to sit my butt downtown for an hour or two and people watch. Then I am sure to see someone! Oh, almost forgot! Will had a ton of teenage types around the house all weekend. That is what happens when you live in town. Anyway, from 12:30-2:30 while I was work a horde of teenage girls that don't really know me came in my house brandishing a waffle iron and all the stuff to make waffles and MADE WAFFLES IN MY KITCHEN! Don't you find that odd and random? If it was girls that are here a lot that call me Ms. Gregg, then I could have kinda understood and been OK with it, but these girls were randoms. According to sources in the house at the time there were about 15 girls in my kitchen cooking! Hmmmm....... WEIRD. They did clean up and stacked the dishes in the sink, even though the empty dishwasher was sitting right there. But, at least they put everything in the sink, boys would never do that, I would have found waffle dishes all over my house. So, that was my mullet in a nutshell. Went to Diana's during the evening, chatted for a couple of hours, then went home to watch the Red Sox (they lost). Ok, enough rambling for today, and no, I have not finished the quilt!

Lap Quilt For Lilly

2007-10-10T16:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, I am trying to make my first quilt. It isn't very big, but Lilly is small and it will just be a throw around whatever quilt. I am also making one for Lucy, but Lilly's is first. This is what it looked like last week when I layed it out, I have sewn half of the strips together and hope to finish sewing it this week. Then I am going to embroider Lilly's name on the bottom corner and the date. I haven't bought the backing yet, need to make a yarn and fabric run. This pattern came out of the book Bend the Rule Sewing by Amy Karol. It is fab! I highly recommend it. I would link you right on over to amazon so you could buy it, but I am a dud and don't know how to do it!!! The weather is suppose to cool off tomorrow, I sure hope so. I have lots of nice new long sleeve shirts and tights to wear and it has been to darned hot!! Maybe that is why I have been in such a crummy mood! The Mullet Festival is this weekend. I truly love the Mullet. It is one of my favorite days!! Get to see lots of old friends, eat lots of good food. Can't wait! The temp. is suppose to be in the low 70s. Couldn't be better! When I finish the quilt, I will display it for all the world to see! I am going to have to get my friend Darlene to help me with the binding, don't know if I can do it. Ok, off to eat dinner!! Oh and by the way......GO RED SOX!!!!!

Target and Homecoming

2007-09-29T05:56:00.001-07:00

First things first, thanks to Peggy for reminding me about my Target teaser! I forgot that I did that! So here it is .........................how cute is that??? I just had to have it! I know it is not October yet, but who cares?? They also had some really cute hand towels, which I bought and some nice Thanksgiving stuff. I bought two hand towels and a turkey bath mat. I was so happy to find some Thanksgiving stuff, that poor holiday is usually forgotten in the rush from Halloween to Christmas. I have got to crawl in my attic today and find the rest of my Halloween stuff. I am missing some light up pumpkins for my mantle. I think they might be in my Thanksgiving box because I left them up til December last year, they weren't jack-o-lanterns, just pumpkins. Ok, now on to homecoming. We lost the game, but is that really the point of going to a homecoming game? No, you go to visit and see old friends and see the court. One of my former Kindergarten students was the Freshman representative she looked very pretty. Courtney won. She looked absolutely beautiful. Will and his date Erica look great. I loved her dress and thought she looked beautiful! Will looked very handsome. I was so proud of him. It was kinda surreal, I can't believe that he is Junior! He will be a Senior before I know it and then off to college. Scary! I wish time could slow down just a little. He is slipping through my fingers and it breaks my heart. Ok, no teaser today, because we know that my brain forgets!

What a Week!

2007-09-23T05:20:00.000-07:00

Man I tell you it has been a week from "h e double hockey sticks!" My mom and sister and the two wee ones left Wednesday for Tampa. I will miss my sis so much and probably won't see her til after the baby is born (February). Hopefully they will opt to buy a new car over Christmas and will drive up to buy one from Johnny Stevenson in Wilmington. Other than that I fear the only way I will see her is if I fly to Tampa. Maybe I will take a long weekend and call in sick to Kindergarten! Hee Hee!! So, back to my week. I have a cold. Don't know how I caught it or from which 5 yr old, but I have the green snot flowing! Lovely! So, this cold hit me on Thursday afternoon and I felt absolutely terrible on Friday. Should have stayed home and slept, but no, went to school to be punished and have medicine head! I had the worst night on Wednesday. I woke up at 1;30 and tossed and turned. Finally sat up and read from 2-3 then tried to go back to sleep. My mind was racing with all the things that I have to do at work in the next two weeks. Tons of meetings and paperwork to fill out, observation to complete, grant to fill out, Individual growth plan to fill out, oh, and teach. Don't forget that! The good news of the week was that Will was asked to escort Erica for Homecoming court. She is a sweet girl, cheerleader, pretty. Her mom works with me. Now, I have to figure out what Will needs to wear. He says her dress is black and tan. Hmmmm..... I would like to buy him a new shirt and tie, but I wonder if we should just borrow a black suit for him. But, would that be too much, a suit? I don't want him looking like a dork! Black dress pants? I hate black pants, I am really more of a khaki kinda girl. Then you have to wear black shoes, cuz top siders would look stupid with black pants. Sheesh!! All this has to be figured out like today! I guess we will have to go shopping maybe Monday. I really don't want to be at the mall on Thursday night trying to figure this out!
I have decided that when clothes are washed/dried, they need to be folded right away. My husband however feels different about that! We have a laundry basket in our laundry room and about 2 weeks ago I sat down with it, folded everything and it was all clean. That is when I decided I was sick of it being piled high with clothes. I figured if you don't have time to wash, dry and fold, don't wash! I have mentioned this to my husband, but apparently he is deaf. I told him that is like in baseball when the pitcher is taken out of the game, all the runners on base are his responsibility, just like the laundry in the basket. So, this morning I folded laundry that he washed that was in the dryer, and put the new clothes in the dryer. He has assured me that when he gets up, he will take care of it. Hmmm.... we will see. I hate to leave all those runners on base, but if that laundry basket is overflowing when I get home from work that is where it is staying. Ok, this is a long post..... I will tell you what I bought at Target later. I love it!!

Ward is 13!!

2007-09-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

I know this is a little late, but my sweet little wardy is a TEENAGER! ACK! When did that happen. I swear, you blink and they are grown. I can't believe it. My boys are slipping through my fingers and it is tough on this ol girl! Ward was such a wonderful baby and toddler. He was so sweet. Loved his momma. I have been able to let Will go a little, but it is going to be hard to let my "baby" date, go off in a car with another teenager, etc. I can't imagine my life without you Ward, we are two peas in a pod. I like the fact that you remember all the lines from my favorite movies and quote them back to me at random times. Your Billy Madison is dead-on. I love the fact that you love the Red Sox, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Zepplin. You were born decades too late, you should have been a child of the 80's, you have such a wealth of knowledge of that decade. I feel that I have raised you well. Not many 13 yr olds list The Breakfast Club, The Princess Bride and Ferris Buellar as their favorite movies. You are lucky and blessed and I love you more than I can ever tell you!

I Love You,

Momma

My Daddy

2007-09-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

This is my Daddy, W.T. He is 66 years old, almost 67. He works so hard. My parentes own a Dry Stack Marina and my dad is actively involved in the daily workings of his business. If there is concrete to be poured, he is raking, shoveling, spreading. If someone's boat needs to be worked on, he is right there in it on his hands and knees trying to fix it. He has spent so much time on his knees over the years that they are flat. I love him, but he works way too hard! I wish my parents could retire and just travel and be together. I don't think my dad could stop coming to work everyday and being in charge. I guess you chose how you want to live and if he didn't want to do it, he wouldn't. But, all the same, I wish he would relax!! I love you daddy.

Faye

2007-09-03T17:12:00.000-07:00

Rick's mother died on Tuesday. It has been a very emotional week for us. Faye was a wonderful, warm, funny person. She fiercely loved her family. She thought her boys were just about the best things around. When we had Will, she was so excited. You would have thought there had never been a baby born ever before he came along. Ward was just the icing on the cake. She was so very proud of everything they did! During the 20 years that I have known her, we mostly ate Thanksgiving at her house. She was a wonderful cook. Her kitchen was teeny tiny, but the meals she prepared there were not. She was famous for her squash casserole, even as hard as I try, I can not duplicate it. Faye went head-on into life, no matter what! She wasn't afraid of anything or anybody, definately someone you would want on your side! She was kind hearted and generous with her time, money, talents. I hate that she was has left us at the early age of 63. My boys , Rick and I will miss her terribly. Call your momma, tell her you love her.

First week of school

2007-09-02T07:59:00.000-07:00

Ok, it is sunday and the busy last weekend of summer is upon us. I had an excellent first week of school. My class seems quite lovely and I really am enjoying them. Of course it would be better if there weren't so many of them. ( I have 23). Do you know how long it takes to move 23 5yr. olds around?? Well, let me tell you, a long time. My line is soooo long!! My only fear is that they are going to be beastly next week. You know how a newborn is always so good when it comes home from the hospital, all they do is sleep, then they rise up and start screaming! Well, that is my fear! Hopefully it won't come to pass. Had a lovely surprise this week, one of our drystack customers went to Fenway Park a couple of weeks ago and brought me back a surprise. He sat in Theo Epstein's box and got some free prizes, a red sox messenger bag, a hat, and a cool red windbreaker, and a cool green st. paddy's hat! Needless to say, I was/am thrilled!!! Made my day!! Hope you all have a blast on the last official weekend of summer!!

Good Friends and Kids

2007-08-18T15:05:00.000-07:00

We had a reunion of sorts a couple of weeks ago. Anna was here with Arabella from Texas, Susan was here with Kennedy and Tanner from Missouri and we just had to take a group photo! Let's see: Front row Anna, Arabella, Drew, Kennedy, Kristy, Parker, and Tanner. Middle: Stephanie, Nick, Will, Ward, Diana, Tyler. Back row: DeeDee, Susan and me. Susan was here for 2 weeks and we had a blast! All the girls have so much fun together laughing, talking, eating. It is great being with people that know you and know all about you. It is like the conversation never ends. I am so thankful for the friends in my life. I am a better person because of them. I love you all!

Will Completed LIT program

2007-07-17T07:58:00.000-07:00

Will returned home about a week ago from 4 weeks at camp. This camp (Camp Don Lee) which is about an hour and a half away on the neuse river is a Methodist Church Camp. He has been attending 9 years. My sister and I also attended this camp when we were kids and our both graduates of the LIT program. What is LIT you ask? Well it stands for Leaders In Training, and it is a month long intensive camp. He is certified in sailing, first aid, CPR, and Lifesaving. The lifesaving alone was 64 hours in the pool. I can't tell you how very proud I am of him. It is a very hard program with a full curriculum. Way more than he may have bargained for. Part of the program included a "Day Apart." We wrote letters to our child asked friends and family to do the same and gave them to the counselor when we dropped them off. The letters offered words of encouragement and talks of leardership and making the right choices. We were told that it is usually a very emotional time for them and that a lot of them cry. Will told me he cried when he read mine, not sure if he did or if he just told me that hmmmm. The day we picked him up the director led us in a communion with our children out on the pier. It was very powerful. There is such a special place in my heart for camp don lee. I am so glad that I have Will to share that with. It is something that is hard to explain to anyone that hasn't been there. I have uploaded all the pictures that his counselor took to winkflash. I am going to make him a big collage wall of pictures with his "diploma plaque"on the wall as well. I am still washing the clothes! How is it possible that he wore so much stuff?? I am glad he is home, I missed him. Turned 16 while he was there. How can it be possible that I have a 16 year old?? Strange. Ok all for today. Peace.

Parrotheads in Love

2007-06-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

This is my cute dishtowel that I made for my brother-in-law and my brand new sis-in-law. I designed, drew and embroidered it myself! Looks pretty cute. Their wedding was May 19th and the colors were yellow and pink. I haven't downloaded the pic of Lilly's dress yet, but I will. It turned out really good. I want to go buy lots of skorts, skirts and shorts from wal mart or somewhere inexpensive and decorate them. Working on the denim jumper was easy peasy, didn't even need the hoop some of the time. Ok, off to work! Ya'll have a great day!

Geez a Loo!

2007-06-19T14:30:00.001-07:00

Man, it has been a while! I have been so busy with school ending and baseball and just life! Ward's confirmation at church! Exciting day for our family. However, I have been reading and keeping up with all the blogs I read and all the crafting going on out there in blogland! I have been sewing, embroidering, and knitting. I have cut out my first dress, but not sewn a stitch yet! Lately I have been embroidering kitchen towels and just giving them away. This week I bought a real nice jean jumper (GAP) at our local 2nd hand store for $2.00! Then I have embroidered a cute frog sitting on a lilypad on it. I have put a pink running stitch around the bottom of the dress and embroidered my neices name next to the frog. It is really cute if I do say so myself!! I know Toot, Toot!! Way to toot my own horn. I am also knitting a throw for my 12 year old. Patchwork, no clue what I am doing, just winging it! My favorite thing! I will post a picture of the dress when it is finished, well, actually both dresses. The frog one is almost finished, actually it may be finished, haven't decided! OK I am off!

Me and Anna

2007-03-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

This is my life long friend Anna. She is getting ready to have her first child and is thrilled, as am I. Can't wait, just 2 months to go.

I got a sewing machine for Christmas and I have been enjoying the heck out of it! I made Lilly a snoopy purse and made myself a St. Patrick's Day purse. I think I am turning into Martha Stewart!

I have taken over the small room just off the boys room upstairs. It is now officially my craft/sewing room! It looks great.

My plan is to start on the log cabin blanket this week. It is a huge undertaking, but I will post pictures as I go along to save for posterity. Who knows, if I like it then I will make more, but if it gives me a total headache, then that will be the one and only. Kay and Ann swear by them, so I will see.

Almost opening day for baseball ! Can't wait, I tell ya! Really looking forward to some Red Sox baseball! Ok, til I get started on the log cabin........ TTFN (Ta Ta For Now, thank you Tigger!)

It has been a while!

2007-01-14T05:07:00.000-08:00

Can't believe it has been so long since my last post. We had a wonderful Christmas with my sister and her two girls. Nothing like Christmas with little children. They are the best. We (or should I say, I) bought a new car right after Thanksgiving. A mini van. I know can't believe it myself! It is a Nissan Quest and I love it! Tons of room and two drop down screens, which Ward loves! Will, the newly permitted driver, is not as thrilled. Way too uncool for him. I have been busy putting the yearbook together for school, so not much knitting going on in my house. I have started a shawl. I might keep it, don't know. I made scarves for all my little kindergarten children for Christmas. That took a while! We got a new computer for christmas, as soon as I can find my cable for my camera, I will add some pictures. I am afraid it is in the storage unit in some random box!

For now you will just have to be satified of a picture of Ward from Christmas morning since that is the only one I have on this computer. Man he looks like me with brown hair! weird!

GOOD NEWS!!!

2006-10-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I hope I have good news. We are under contract with our house. That is selling the old house. Someone wants to buy it, "as is". Which is good news for me, b/c I am lazy and don't want to paint and clean, or at least not clean real hard! We are suppose to close in two weeks. Which means that I have tons to do. Unload a house, complete, save and print report cards, spend as much time with my sister and her two sweet babies before they leave, go to soccer game, and get ready for halloween!! Biut I think it is do-able, maybe! I might need to go on a vacation afterwards! I am also trying to knit all my little kiddos in kindergarten a scarf for christmas. I have 19 kids, and I have completed three, and about halfway through number four. So, well on my way. I didn't tell them, so then if I don't finish, they won't know. But, I am really gonna try to finish. We have 5 days at Thanksgiving, so I should be able to crank some out then. Had a wonderful time last weekend with friends and family at our annual Mullet Festival (52nd). It is a fish , not just a haircut. We celebate the fish. The parade was fun, and I got to see old friends. The weather was great! This is my sweet Lilly at the pumpkin patch!! What could be better??

Shreddin and Fishin

2006-09-17T06:11:00.000-07:00

The summer is over and my children are still boating! That is Ward on the left and his right hand man, Jake. They both caught a 26 inch red drum! So proud. How nice it is to live in a town right on the water and have access to boats. My children are blessed. We are almost finished moving out of the house. The garage is still a mess and the attic, well, can I just say "yuck!" The painting will have to start next weekend, or at least that is what I am declaring. But of course, I won't be doing a ton of it, poor Rick, he will be doing most of it. Can't wait to sell that house. There will be a party!! School is going fine for now. We are getting a new Kindergarten teacher on Tues. Woo Hoo!! I look forward to having 18 kids. 21 is just too many. You should see us when we walk down the hall, the line goes on forever!! My sister and sweet babies are coming in a couple of weeks. They will be here for Halloween. We are dressing as Ladybugs. Can't wait. It will be fun to trick or treat with little kids again. My kids are too old, I guess I am going to have to rent kids to take trick or treating. New topic: Found some really cute stuff on this site http://averymarydesign.blogspot.com/ check out her store from her blog. Very cool one of a kind items. Of course I ordered some stuff. Couldn't resist.

New sweet smelling baby!

2006-08-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been forever since I posted last. But a lot has happened. My sister had a new lovely, beautiful little girl. I was in Alabama for a week with her and her family. Had a wonderful time cooking for her and playing with her daughter Lilly. Took naps, ran, went to the movie, it was nice. We are in the process of moving to our new house. It is a bear! We lived in the same place for 10 years and I don't know how we accumulated so much crap, but we have. I have been throwing away stuff right and left. It is hard because this is the house that my children have grown up in. We moved there when my youngest was 2. So, there are a lot of memories and a lot of drawings and scrap paper and stuff that I have saved. It is hard knowing what to keep and what to throw away. I sometimes wish that my mom would have kept some of my toys, but really what for? We still have quite a lot of stuff in the house and haven't even attempted the attic, which is frightening! We are moving into a smaller house, no real giant attic to speak of, but that is ok. I have decided that it is time to have a grown-up house, and the view is wonderful. Right on the ICW in swansboro. I have eaten my breakfast on the porch two mornings in a row. I just wish I was Samantha from Bewitch and I could wiggle my nose and the house would be unpacked and the other house would be cleaned out and sold! The bad part is the timing, I have to go back to school tomorrow, so I will be having to do all this and get ready to welcome some wonderful Kindergarten children! YIKES!!! The Tylenol PM is calling my name! I am including a picture of sis and girls! So, thrilled to have a new baby!!

Reading instead of knitting

2006-07-08T05:57:00.000-07:00

My son, Will had a birthday get together, I guess you can't call them parties when you turn 15. I still can't believe that he is 15. Too strange! Anyway, I survived having hordes of teenagers in my newly cleaned house on Thursday. I can't tell you how happy I was for 10:00 to arrive. I have knitted zero this week. Can't believe it! I have spent a little time cutting out squares for my quilt. But no sewing this week. What I have been spending a lot of time on is reading. I am reading the Kite Runner and it is good. I was afraid that I wasn't going to like it because it didn't grab me right at the beginning. I will admit, I look a good hook at the beginning of a story. But, I have stuck with it and I love it. I bought The Glass Castle to read next. I haven't read anything in such a long time, I guess because I have been busy knitting and I really don't know how to do both. Someone should invent something that could hold a book and turn the pages while I knit. Maybe a small child could hold my book. No, it would have to be something that would squirm. So, if there is anyone out there reading this that likes to invent, get busy. That's what I need. I am going to Alabama in 2 weeks to meet my new neice. I can't wait. She hasn't been born yet, but it should be soon. The picture is of my first neice, Lilly and me. She is a doll and I love her. Her sister will be named Lucy. Don't worry I will post a picture of her as soon as I get one. It is really neat to have neices when I have boys at my house, especially since mine are getting to big to cuddle.

Happy Fourth of July

2006-07-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

Well, since my parents own a dry stack marina, I have been very busy since Saturday putting boats in the water and waiting on customers. So, very little knitting or quilting has been done all weekend. I was hoping for rain today just so I could be home and do nothing. Well, sewing and cutting quilt squares would be fun. This is about all the fun that has been going on around here lately, a really cool moth on my porch. Well, I have got to go get ready for work and then I guess we will watch the fireworks. My house is almost finished. Calling the plumber to install toilets, sinks and hot water heater, then all that is left is closet shelves. Or at least that is what I think! Then I am moving in!!! Watch out!

Scarf is done!

2006-06-27T04:47:00.000-07:00

The scarf is done. Thank goodness. I worked at my parents marina on Sunday and it rained. I got two dishrags and the scarf finished . Ok, it is official, I have brought the old sewing maching out of my mother's attic. I have had a mini sewing lesson from my mother. I went to WalMart last night and bought fabric. Yes, I am going to make a patchwork quilt. I fear that I will be a little stressed out by this so I will keep my knitting close by in case I need to calm my nerves. I still want to make the cute watermelon hat that Stephanie (yarn harlot) made. My cousin Jill had a baby girl last night. I am so excited. Now I can get started on her little pink hat. She was 8 lbs 10 oz, no name yet, but I am sure her parents and her big sister Briley are thrilled!! Can't wait to meet her.

Dishrags, dishrags, dishrags!!

2006-06-21T07:03:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I said I was going to post the messed up dishrag that turned out ok, and I have actually started another one that is the same. I am going to try to sit down and read and follow the instructions in Mason-Dixon for the cool dishrags, but between baseball and running and eating and sleeping, just haven't had a minute to read and study! Hopefully we will be moving in the next couple of weeks, so that will leave even less time for knitting, or so one would think. I plan on planting my big ol butt on my new front porch and knitting up a storm every evening. I bought a cool wicker chair the other day at a consignment store, paid a little more than I wanted to, but is perfect for knitting. The arms are low and it is a small chair and I just love it. I have moved it into my cramped living room and have been sitting in it watching red sox baseball and hockey. How about those Hurricanes!! It was an exciting game. Back to the house, I need to buy two white rockers and a porch swing. Those are the next purchases. I also need to buy two speakers for my ceiling. If we could just get toilets, sinks and hardware and maybe get the air connected, we will be golden! The purple scarf from the last post is still ON (on needles). I know I am so close to being finished, but I get bored easily. Seems to be a very common trend in knitters or so I have heard!

Boring...... But for a Good Cause

2006-06-08T17:14:00.000-07:00

I know, it has been a while since I posted, but school is out tomorrow. So, that will free me up for more knitting!! YEAH!! This scarf is boring, I know, but it is for a good cause. My friend Dee Dee has two children with CF. They are 5 and 3. She is going to be selling some bears at a local festival in October and has asked me to knit some items as well so that she can sell them. So, this is number one. It is mindless and I don't have to think too much about it. Good thing because my mind has been on one thing lately, paperwork for school and getting finished. Two former students (they are in third grade) had a game day today. They came in my room around 1:30 and asked me to cast on for them, they forgot how. How great is that? Not that they forgot, but that they think of me as a knowledgeable person that could help. One girl brought her needles and yarn the other little girl forgot hers, so she was using pencils. That was a first for me, but I cast on for her. I told them both that I would bring my knitting bag tomorrow and they could come back and we would just knit up a storm! FUN! They were thrilled. So tomorrow it will be me, Rebecca and Hannah just having a big fun time at school knitting. Maybe I should as the legislature if knitting could be added to the curriculum?

Can you say i-cord??

2006-05-28T18:03:00.000-07:00

Yes! I finished the baby hat! Shout out to Peggy who suggested the i-cord top. I agreed, but had never done one. You can imagine my hesitation since I had already ripped the hat out once, but Peggy walked me through it, and ta-da! I-CORD! Just love it. Peggy was right, it was magical when it worked out. New subject, I got my amazon order yesterday ( Mason-Dixon knitting and Wendy Knits). I am in love with the log cabin blanket in Mason-Dixon. I dreamed about it last night. Is that weird? I am pretty sure it is strange, but maybe not to someone who knits. I can't wait to make one. I love everything in that book. It has really inspired me. I have read some of Wendy Knits, but not much. I will let you know on that one. I have started a new baby hat. This one is for my new niece, Lucy. She will be here in 5 weeks. So, I do have time, but just wanted to start on it. Hopefully I will start the blanket soon and I will document my progress. Still aching to make a sock! Peggy? Do you hear me??

Channeling my inner Martha.

2006-05-24T07:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have finished the green dishrag, and almost finished the hat. I will add picture later when it is complete. I have started a pink dishrag as well. I think I will give them to my sister b/c she is moving to a new house in Alabama. I want her to think of me while she is doing the dishes!! hee hee. I really want to learn to sew. I have lots of ideas bumping around in my brain and really don't want to read a pattern, just want to whip out the machine and do something. Like I am some sort of sewing Rain Man! I have already conned my friend Darlene into making me some A-line pull over your head type dresses. I want mine out of seersucker and I am going to put a big red flower on the bottom front and some white ric rac. I love ric rac! I had dresses like this as a child and I really want some. I may buy some gingham as well. The possibilities are endless. I also want to make tote bags. Yes, I know I have too many ideas and not enough time. I think I am channeling my inner Martha.

Ripped out the flipping hat

2006-05-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

So, as you can see, I ripped it out and have started over!! Boo Hiss!! But it appears to be striping, so we will see. School is keeping me kinda busy, so that is why I haven't posted in a couple of days. I of course have started a new project, a dishtowel, just to take the edge off of ripping this hat out that was almost finished. It is Friday, so hopefully I will get both the hat completed and make a couple of dishtowels. Ok, off to run a couple of miles. I will update on my progress as the weekend progresses.

First Time Blog Jitters

2006-05-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

Hi! I am new to the blog scene, but here goes. Today I am working on a baby hat for my friend Stephanie. I am not happy with it, it is not striping like it is suppose to, so now what? I really hate to start over, but.... I made one a couple of months ago out of the same yarn except it was pink, and the stripes worked, although I think I only cast on 64 stitches, this time I cast on 70. I kinda thougth that 64 was too small for a baby head. My son thinks it looks cool, but I kinda hate it. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!