Christmas Recap

I thought it might be best to discuss Christmas 2008 while it is still 2008.  My family came over for Christmas Eve lunch.  We skipped the traditional dinner and had roast. Yum!  We also had the first round of presents.  The parents gave me the yummy yarn seen here.  That book like thing the yarn is on is in fact a book. My book to be precise.  My Mom had every post from my blog in 2008 printed and bound.

Pretty cool, hu?  I will ask that you excuse the haircut.   It has taken almost an entire year to fix that mistake.  Anywho, I have a book.  I’m hoping that like my brother’s yearly Christmas hat, it will become a tradition.  Speaking of the hat, lookie:

Yes, he is wearing the hat.  He and his lovely wife actually wear my hand knit gifts. Again, speaking of hand knit gifts, this is what the mitered squares looked like on Christmas Eve night:

It was slightly terrifying.  Since the gift has been gifted, I will let everyone in on the not so secret, secret … all those squares became a blanket.  I have to confess that I had to give Hubby an uncompleted project.  I was able to sew it all up, but I could not pick up and knit a 6 inch border in one night.  Even I am not that crazy.  It still works, though.  I am also afraid it will have to wait until spring, maybe summer.  Hubby is not giving it up long enough to finish it while it is still cold.  Though this is not the final sew up pattern, it is similar to the final product.

I would pull out the camera; however, it is 11:30 and I am on a deadline.  (see above)  So, now let’s move on to Christmas day.  I did get my book reader, discussed here.  I love it!  I am glad I listened to my first choice and went with the 700 over the 505.  I think this little gadget was made for me.  It is love at first sight.

Santa brought Boy Child his very first laptop.  On top of that, his Nana brought him a 10.2 megapixel digital camera.  Now, I have to say that something very Twilight Zone is happening when the kids have better toys than the parents.  I am also having to learn very quickly about parental controls on the internet.

Hubby took down the tree this morning.  I came home from work and the place looked all different.  It is amazing how accustomed you can get to a huge 12 foot tree sitting in my living room.  I think it is extremely ironic that someone who had difficulty getting the Christmas spirit in the first place is so sad that the holiday season is over.  I’m also sad that 2009 will be here so soon.  I will be 30 in 2009.  I am trying not think about it.  Ugg.

Have a fun night. Be careful. Don’t sing. Don’t cry.  Happy Last Day of 2008.

Be careful what you wish for

I’m not sure how many people of my generation watch I Love Lucy.  I watched all the “classic” shows on Nick-at-Night growing up: The Brady Bunch, Gilligan’s Island, Green Acers, and I Love Lucy. I enjoyed them all, but Lucy called to the comedy lurking deep in my heart.

For all of those who loved Lucy as much as I do, do you remember the episode with the black eye?  It was the one were Lucy asked Ricky to toss her a book and it ended up hitting her in the eye.  She ended up with a ginormous black eye.  Later, Ethel saw her eye and became convinced that Ricky hit her.  Luck and Ricky of course explain the situation, but neither Ethel nor Fred believe them.  The banter continues throughout the show until Fred and Ethel repeat the same situation.  They sheepishly tell Lucy and Ricky, and everyone has a good laugh.

Well, I fear the same type of thing happened to me.  Yesterday morning, I was taking the laundry downstairs (it has really piled up on me since everyone has been here).   I set the basket down to open the door to the laundry room, and BAM!  There was a shooting pain up my back.  Ugg!  I know this feeling.  I pulled a lower back muscle about 7 years ago that laid me out for almost two weeks and still gives me problems to this day.  That is the pain I felt.  Ouch!

Instead of calling for help, I get it in my head that it is not that bad and a nice hot shower might make things better.  Now, we have three full bathrooms in our house.  Two are the standard tub/shower combos.  The one downstairs is a nice tiled shower with a glass door.  This is especially good at holding in the steam and making for a relaxing shower.  So, I carefully get undressed and into the shower.  It does not seem to be working and it is very painful to move at all.  I quickly finish up.  As I go to step out of the shower, the door will not open.  That’s right! I am stuck in the shower!  Trapped!  Of course, I could have been more forceful and gotten out, but oh yea, I pulled my back and can  barely stand up!

After about 10 minutes of pushing and pulling, I was able to call to Boy Child who was upstairs and on the other end of the house to come open the door.  Luckily I keep a towel hung over the door, so at least he was not scarred by seeing his mom unclothed. Edited to add: (When Boy Child could not open the door, I had to send him upstairs to wake Hubby.  At that point, Hubby rode in on his white horse and was able to open the door.  I don’t even want to know how he got the horse in the house, but at that point I didn’t really care! Hee!) Ugg! I thought this kind of stuff only happened on TV.  I spent the rest of yesterday and last night laying on the couch with a heating pad on high.

Luckily the pain has eased,  and I was able to come to work today.  I hate using my vacation time when I am sick more than I hate coming to work.  So, I can keep my precious days for next year and something fun.  Yea!  A Christmas wrap-up tomorrow.

Friday Fill-ins #104

1.   I must see Europe before I die.

2.   You can’t stop me from knitting or reading.

3.   I wish I never had to buy peas again.  (but I fear I must, because hubby likes them.)

4.   Boy child has helped me change my life.

5.   I know the song “Baby Got Back” by heart.

6.   If I weren’t so afraid, I would quit my job and go back to school. (Unlike most people, I like going to school.)

7.   And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to knitting whatever I want, tomorrow my plans include nothing and Sunday, I want to enjoy my last night free from work!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve

Forget the sugar plumbs, I’ll be dreaming of silk & cashmere.

Numbers 26, 38, 52, 64, 67, 83

I have been really working on my 101 in 1,001 the past few days.   Here is a rundown, so I don’ t have to type again that I am working on my mitered squares.

#26 – Hubby is hanging my picture from Sip-n-Strokes as I type this. Yea!

#38 – Boy child’s class adopted a 10-year-old little girl.  They all went to the store, purchased her gifts and wrapped them all.  I am so proud of him.  I think we are going to make this part of our family tradition from now on.

#52 – On Saturday, Boy child and I got all dressed up and went to see the Alabama Ballet perform The Nutcracker.  We had a great time.  I wore heels, and he wore a tie without complaint.  We  had hot chocolate at intermission, and they made it snow inside the theater which had all the kids in fits.  Since he participated in a school performance, Boy child in all his expertise informed me afterward that not only did they leave out some songs, but they did not do them in the right order.  Also, the beginning is boring! Hee! I have a little Ebert on my hands. (He’s the one who is alive right?)

#64 – I bought the cutest things from Etsy.

They are reusable pantyliners from Pleat.   Store bought ones are uncomfortable and don’t really last.  They clog the landfills, and I am tired of having to remember to buy them every month.  Since I switched to the DC, I really don’t need them; so when I saw these, I thought they would be worth a try.  Technically I could have easily made them myself, but I would never have gotten around to it.  I can’t wait to try them.  They are so cute!

#67 – I finally mailed out Christmas cards.  I mean to do this every year, however, I never seem to follow through.  Ha! I finally conqured it! I’m not sure this one will continue this tradition.

#83 – I used to give blood often.  Somehow or another, I have gotten out of the habit.  Last week, the blood people came to our office.  Since they were there, I decided to get back in the swing of things.  I never need to have a serious injury, because I apparently bleed very quickly.  So quickly, in fact, that I almost fainted.

Friday Fill-In Christmas Style

Here we go!

1.   Said the night wind to the little lamb, you will make a good sock.

2.   The first Noel, the angel did say, was to curse the bad drivers to our dismay. (hee!)

3.   Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere, Go tell it on the mountain, that today is my last day. (until after Christmas, but I can pretend otherwise)

4.   It came upon the midnight clear, the thought that time is small, and I’m not done with my knitting, not going to finish at all.

5.   Through the years we (and by “we” I mean me and my yarn) all will be together,  Let your heart be light. 

6.   And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing until I knock you to the floor.

7.   And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to sewing more miterd squares, tomorrow my plans include finishing up a home improvement job and Sunday, I want to celebrate that I don’t have to work on Monday!

Sneak Peek

Thank You

I am going to preface this very quick post by saying that my appreciation is in no way associated with the length of this post.  I am extatic about what follows.  I’m feeling poorly right now, but I can not let a day pass without thanking my friend Mrs. S for my truly wonderful Christmas gift.

1. A too-cute-for-guests towel
2. Pattern tamer   (I’ve always wanted one of these, but never got around to buying one.)
3. Nail file (totally needed)
4. I think the cutest wallet ever
5. Square dpns   (Again, I’ve always wanted to try these, but never got around to)
6. Flowering tea
   

1. Natural Noro
2. Noro Knits
3. Eco-friendly yarn dying kit  (after Christmas knitting is done, I am so trying this out!)
4. A great project bag
5. Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo (color: 1632)
6. Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo (color: 1695)
7. Kraemer Janice (100% Merino)
8. Plymouth Earth Eco Cashmere (100% cashmere)

Oh cashmere yarn, Oh cashmere yarn, I think I’ve fallen in love with you!  Oh cashmere yarn, oh cashmere yarn, I want a hank in every hue!

Christmas lights, hot chocolate and Mussolini

It has been no shock to those who know me that I can be a little grumpy grouch this time of year.  This year seems to be worse than ever.  I seem to have no urge to do anything Christmassy.  The only reason I have my shopping done is because I started this summer.  I finally got presents wrapped and under the tree last night.  That was only because I could not go to sleep, and the poor empty tree was staring at me.  I have a case of the blahs.  It happens.  I usually get over it.  I just wish it would go away before the family gets here.  Le sigh.

 There was one bright spot.  This weekend Hubby, Boy Child and I drove to Mississippi to visit my parents.  While Papa Buck and Boy Child went golfing (there was golf cart driving I’m sure I don’t want to know about), Hubby, Mom and I went shopping.  I still have major issues with the public at large.  However, I was able to finish up all but one thing on my list.  I think I will be able to get that tonight. 

 After the shopping expedition, we went up to Canton.  For those of you who have never heard of Canton, it is a little town about 30 minutes north of Jackson.  It has been the site of 5 feature films including John Grishams’ “A Time to Kill” and the Coen brothers “O Brother Where Art Thou.”  It also hosts a month long Victorian Christmas Festival. 

We went Saturday night, and it was great.  It actually has a town square.  The Courthouse sits in the middle.

 

Businesses surround the square and all of them were decorated for Christmas.

 

There were display windows with little Christmas scenes set up in each. 

 

Needless to say, we had a blast.  After we were done looking at all the lights, we went back to my grandfather’s hose for hot chocolate and a visit.  This was the real reason for our trip.   Grandy is 85, and I have begun to worry about his health.  I shouldn’t have.  If I had to guess, he is more fit than the proverbial fiddle. 

He was in the service during WWII and the Korean War.  Growing up, he never really talked about any of his experiences in either war.  This weekend was different.  I asked him where all he had travelled.  I knew he had been stationed in Italy during WWII and was awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star, but nothing much more than that.  Come to find out during WWII, he was with the 10^th Mountain Division in Northern Italy.  In late April 1945, he was on R&R.  He was looking through his field glasses across Lake Como when he saw a commotion but did not know what was going on.  A couple of days later, he read in the Stars and Stripes (the official newspaper of the U.S. Armed Forces) that Benito Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci, had been arrested that day near the lake.  Can you believe it? My grandfather watched Mussolini get arrested.  Wow!  I wish I had more time to visit and hear stories.