Coffee less for a little...

Yesterday morning I didn't make it to work. I could just feel that I was sick. No throwing up or the other, but just the thought that it could happen was more than enough. I picked up the little gurl who was still a little off and we came home to watch videos (I drove halfway and thought I was going to be sick). At 10:30 am the school called that big gurl was unwell. Out we went. She was burning up (and considering her class room was filled with yummy treats and she just wanted to come home). She came home and slept and then the little one slept and just when i would have gone to sleep the big one woke up and just when she was going back to sleep the little.... You get the idea. My mom didn't come down cause I told her not to. She felt bad cause, believe me, I could use the help.
Little gurl was well enough today to go with Daddy and big gurl is about 85%. Me is at about 65%. Super tired and achy. Managed to pick up gifts for the men in and out of my life and the gurlz are now done. I just wish the maid would come by...
I can't even stand the smell of coffee right now. That means I am not well.
Knitting has been accomplished however - little gurl's original pair of socks just need grafting at the toe and the ends woven in. Big gurl's purse is almost to the handles. The scarf is on a time out and well still haven't started something for the niece. If they get something they get something. If not, oh well.
My sister called Thursday night and she was flying about the present I sent. That really made my night. The other packages are 'somewhere' between the main sorting place and their destination - the US ones have entered the US.
I watched the first 3 Harry Potter movies yesterday (again). The next two are coming, along with a gift for the gurlz, but I don't think they will make it before Christmas. I haven't seen either of them yet. Read all but the 7th book - just haven't made it to the library to get it out. Funny about the HP videos - big gurl won't watch them, but little gurl just sat beside me commenting occasionally on stuff - the baby Harry, the cat, the dog, the owl, the car, the train. Guess she isn't quite as sheltered as her sister was at that age.
Pictures should be coming soon, once the ends are done and things get a little farther along.
Merry Christmas if I don't get on before then!!

Coffee Topic #?

What would be the perfect vacation during the Winter Season? Would rather you head to the beach, to escape all the cold weather or want to pack your ski's and head to the mountains. You tell us what vacation you prefer during the Winter Season.
I honestly don't know. I've never really had a winter season vacation, but I think a week at a resort specializing in all those wintry fun sports would be great. Something to entertain the kids, but also to have adult time. I don't really feel the need to escape the cold weather by going somewhere warm - would much rather be in a winter wonderland. Skiing, skating, tobogganing and other snow fun.

update- little gurl is better (after politely throwing up on the kitchen floor rather then my bed) and tomorrow will be back to work. Of course, the washing machine has died. Full of water and wet laundry. Happy holidays - oh and all my Christmas parcels that required mailing have left the building!!!

Finally & ARRRRGGGGHH

I finally mailed out my WWCS package. It may get there before the 31st - I have a tracking number and everything so my recipient will hopefully enjoy some coffee goodness before the new year. Funny thing - she has 2 gurlz, I have 2 gurlz, at least one is redheaded - we all are...
I think I did a good job of spoiling her - the box couldn't hold anymore.
Wendy was the winner of my contest - I was her SP11 spoiler, so today I mailed a box of yarny goodness. The handmade items that were to make it in all my swaps... well maybe next year.
Christmas parcels - well they are still on the kitchen table. I cannot find Grandpa and Grandma Mary's address. I save every return address label that I get from them and guess what - they are nowhere to be found. I know they are somewhere safe... Now would be a really good time for big gurl'z father to call - useful things you know. If anyone out there lives in Florida and knows them, could you send me their address (phone number is in the same place)
My little sister's package is still on the table. I am looking for something else to put in it - without adding a lot of bulk and weight. Thinking a gift card, but unfortunately, I haven't found one yet. Had to call Mom for her address as the address book was AWOL - found it after the fact but not one of those little labels were in it.
I spent the night and morning snuggling my little gurl. She spiked a temperature last night - around 9:00 pm and it just keeps coming back. I have to admit I am paranoid as last Christmas Day she had one of those febrile seizures and we were in Emergency for a few hours - pneumonia. This is like deja vu of last year so she has had a chest xray and we are working on the urine sample - I think I will ask Nell for some advice on that one. Try to get a 2.2 year old to pee on demand. HAHAHA. She went the minute I walked away to let her just do her thing. Guilt is eating me up - shouldn't have had a tub with them, shouldn't have let her play outside, should keep her in a glass bubble, change her diaper every hour, .... I have a headache from the guilt - and bet you anything I have something before the end of the year - always get sick during the holidays.
Nothing has been done. I don't count one pot of soup (had to eat dinner) and one sink of dishes. My laundry room got super clean yesterday - I think I am in the wrong house when I walk down there. We received at least a foot of snow yesterday - after 8:30 am and before about 6:30 pm. Thanks to Don for coming partway through to snowblow a portion anyways.
I snuggled the little one (and slept myself) for about 3 hours this morning (after I shoveled the snow and the freshly snowplowed driveway - they came by TWICE with the plow while I was out there. Really need to pick up some decent snow boots.
We were at the doctor's from 1:00 to 2:30 - but they did the xray super fast and he looked at them and couldn't see anything. I appreciated the fact that he didn't brush it off as flu or nothing, cause I'm not usually one to panic. (side effect of the fact that still feel guilty for last year's nightmare illness - imagine a room of all your aunts, uncles and cousins and thinking your baby is dying).
Sorry for the drama and guilt, but I think that like most parents, the worst imaginable thing could be something bad happening to your child and it has me all torn up.
No knitting done today - arrgghh guilt again cause big gurl'z purse won't be done and little gurlz socks and nephew's scarf (and possibly matching Koolhaas) and niece's ?!?!?!?!
I cancelled my Booty Club subscription cause I feel that I have more yarn than clothes that fit properly and well, the house needs insulating and.... I AM ON A YARN PURCHASING DIET. If it is not paid for as of today, it cannot come in the house (unless extra ball required for nephew's gift).
She had some left yet at around 8:00 pm. Resisting here.

Funny thing...

I read a variety of knitting and crafting blogs. My computer doesn't always like some of the blogs (meaning loads it like crap) and if this continues for a while, I sort of stop going to that blog (Sorry Jen and Cara) . But yesterday (or maybe the day before now) I went back to visit Jen and discovered she has been having problems, so I commented on it - and it helped. Wish I had commented sooner. Go say Hi to Jen - and her pics are still not all coming in, but I'll keep reading again. Of course, if I could figure out this subscribe thing everyone talks about, I wouldn't be clicking in cyber space quite so much.
... we are supposed to get alot of snow here - started at like 7:00 ish - stopped for now. We got less than a centimeter. Maybe when I wake, the weather people won't have lied to me. Looking for a snow day over here.

On the knitting front - nephew's scarf is coming along, but feel it may be a little too serious for an 8 year old. May do something different and give this to biggest brother. Little gurl has two half pairs of socks on the go - one pair has a turned heel (on both) and the other has one completed sock and a second with half a cuff. Big gurl - well I bought the yarn for her purse (and some yarn for me oh my) but trying to finish something is slowing down the others. Of course, the stole is languishing right now as it is just for me and doesn't need to make it under the tree this year. (would really like to finish, but there are the dishes and the laundry and the housework).

Anyways - I have learned that if there is an issue with a blog, tell the blog owner, cause they might not know. Now if only I can figure out why some pictures don't show...

Coffee Topic

For many people, Winter is a time of cold weather and snow - and many fun outdoor activities that can only be enjoyed during those times! What's YOUR favorite activity in Winter, and is it even outdoors??
I love to get outside with the gurlz and just be in the snow - building something, wrestling, sledding, pretty much anything. And then to come inside once you've reached that point of total cold and (really need to pee) to make a hot drink - cocoa or coffee with yummy cookies. Oh yeah.

Silence, final SP11 parcel and other stuff..

Little gurl with her surprises from Katie - chapstick, bath salts and candycane snowman.

Sorry I was away so long - I've been lurking and reading, but just forgot to post.

So what's up?

My dishes are done - 2 days in a row (well except for the 7 soaking right now, but I will get to them).

I received a totally amazing final SP11. I am going to try to get the picture (again) to post here. These things are not going so well for me.

Here is the picture - not very clear, but actually on my blog. There was Fleece Artist sock yarn in (just a minute while I go find the letter from Katie) no label - not losing it here, it is awesome greens and browns. SRK cool spun cotton - dish cloths anyone (perhaps commandeered for doll blankies) lovely cupcake notecards set, Lavish soap in Rain & Vanilla Bean, Craft N Things Holiday magazine - lots of ideas in there, Ganong Mint Chocolates and Truffle Pig in milk, peanut butter and Dark and Raspberry. YUMMY. Have managed not to eat it yet. THANK YOU MISS ME!!!!

In knitting land, I have finished the knitting part of the Saartje's booties but face the daunting task of finding a home for all the ends - about 10 per bootie. Cinderella slipper #1 is complete (with the exception of the ends) and fits beautifully on little gurlz foot. Big gurl says it is just right for her and that we should wrap it up for Christmas. I really tried. I think I will try the same pattern on 3mm needles with a heavier weight sock yarn - they should fit big gurl. The socks that began for little gurl are at about 5 rows before the heel turn. If I didn't have quite so many projects on the go, things would actually be finished.

We made our necessary trip to the Needle Emporium on Saturday. Needed, because the big gurlz sweater was their and well, its always nice to fondle different yarns. I came home with yarn for the nephew's scarf, Malabrigo lace (mini skein) for me, and Rowan 4ply soft (or whatever it is called) for my I Love Gansey's. Felt pretty good about this until we stopped at one of the LYS that are closing and I found some other yarns - pinks and purple for the big gurl and some pretty variegated for my contest winner. There was a little bit of Christmas shopping done, but unfortunately big gurl is not that patient and we came home without some of the essentials - gifts for little gurl and grandparents and fathers and...

Today I bought my gift from the gurlz - and will wrap it with love from Santa for under the tree Christmas morning. I know, I should have theirs done first, but this is kind of for them as I am getting them something similar (just not brand new, cause their feet keep growing!!!

Oh yes - we have a tree - that was Friday, after the little gurlz Christmas concert and helping decorate cardboard gingerbread houses with big gurl - we bought a tree. We also survived the decorating of said tree on Sunday. Can't wait until they are a little bit older and know not to knock into the tree.

My Dashing fingerless mitts have slowed down a little. The first is almost finished - the thumb and the bind off, however I want to put little finger dividers in, so I have to follow the Noro mitt pattern for that and actually need to concentrate. My stole has been knit on a little, but am trying to get the holiday knitting for others done (which means no stole, socks or mitts for me) and there is still a scarf with matching hat (maybe) for nephew, something for niece, Amanda's Squatty Sidekick for big gurl, and the 2 pairs of socks for little gurl to do. Those are on my for sure to do list, but also would like to make Mom and Great Grandma (big gurl) slipper socks - or even to finish the pair started for Mom, plus have a project to complete for volunteer hours for little gurlz daycare and there is a WWCS package to complete along with contest prize to go out. Happily the yarn is all in, it is just a matter of picking up the little things.

Lunch time at work has turned into designated shopping times - I think Dollar store for stocking stuffers or Giant Tiger for other gifts is on the menu tomorrow. (walking distance rule) Also need to make a run to Toys R Us for the specific items I haven't been able to find anywhere else. But may try online first.

Here is big gurl with her surprise from Katie - chapstick, bath salts and a lovely candy cane magic want.

Somewhere in there I have to do laundry and clean up a few rooms in this house. Oh and knit all the yarn that has 'moved in and stashed itself'. I may be stopping any future purchases soon - until I knit at least 15 things? after of course I hit the final closing sale at the LYS. Trying really hard to control the urge to shop.

It's my birthday, I can...

...boss my gurlz if I want to. It's really hard to be mean on your birthday. Especially when you are threatening no treats or anything and there are 10 people expected for the day. We got through that though.

...drink coffee my way. I love coffee, it tastes so good. I brew dark roast usually, with a 3:1 ratio of flavoured coffee. I mean sometimes I put 100% flavoured in, but most of the time, just one scoop of that flavoured coffee mellows it to a nice rich drink. This method has even been expounded upon in one of my favourite fun novels. To Die For, by Linda Howard. in the first chapters, the heroine, Blair Mallory (fluff name) is recounting the whole witness a murder, deal with cops and then to distract herself, makes coffee. I make it her way - to fool the men in the world, and I swear by the salt on top. My mom made some a couple weeks ago and it was kind of bleagh (imagine Snoopy saying that) and when I ran the steps, that's what she didn't do. She thought that cause I had a new coffeemaker, it wasn't necessary. Silly mom. Anyways, back to the book, read it when it was a new release and then returned it to the library and went on with my life. Every now and then parts of the story would flip in my head and I would sort of laugh and try to remember the title or author. I had it right, but because it was one of those mass market paperbacks (and before I discovered the wonders of amazon and chapters online) I couldn't find it. Until she released the sequel, Drop Dead Gorgeous. These are funny wow and actually give me hope that one day I could stick with someone long enough to meet that forever thing. Long story short, bought the second one and then, after searching a number of bookstores, went online and bought the first book. For a light read, these are recommended.

...knit a little? please? I did get a chance to knit a bit. Not much though. There were 7 adults and 6 kids. But, considering we are all related, one is pregnant and one wants to be, (and one really doesn't want to be, but for some reason people think she will do the insane thing and get that way) and there were 6 kids, only a couple bumps and bruises and only one almost heart attack for me. Showed off my knitting a bit, my socks are nicer than SIL's mothers (beautiful Pat, but like mine better. Here, look for yourself. 3 from 1/

Aren't they pretty? There are 3 pairs of things going on there. A Saartje's bootie for a friend's little one - second one is there (all 4 rows of it); toddler socks for little gurl and the Cinderella socks for big gurl. I'm hoping there is enough yarn to make a pair of socks for my niece too. They are all in Skinny Duet,Cowgirl, from Angela at A Swell Yarn Shop. This was already knit up twice in socks for me, but the yarn is just too fine for me to make socks for me out of (I like a nice tight knit and that would require like 80 sts - not my idea of fun) The blue bag in the back is my knitting bag (pretty much the only one, if we don't count my briefcase style bag for projects). Cost me $2 and wish I had picked up a couple to put projects in - just a makeup bag.

...cook if I want to. Today's afternoon meal consisted of roast beef (me), mashed potatoes (me), apple cider ham(me), applesauce(me), salad (SIL), carrot cake(mom), apple pie (M&Ms) and fingerfood leftovers(SIL). It was great. However, I have had 3 parties in 3 days and my fridge is overflowing. This is wrong, it should be empty of all foods. Bonus is no shopping required for another week or so. Taking all extra non-healthy foods to work to distribute among the needy.

...get totally awesome presents. My baby sis works for Tiffany & Co. She sent me this gorgeous pendant, with chain, all done up in the pretty bag and box with a bow and leather jewellery bag. I took it off to photograph, but that is not uploading (as evidenced by the lack of photo above). My gurlz bought me fleecy warm pj pants with dutch tea towels and a new red saute pan with lid from the parents and dinner on Saturday from the biggest bro and SIL (they also helped with the dishes). Big gurl gave me a bag of treasures, with and I love you Mom card. I think she took it back though, cause they were her treasures. I have been strong, and not bought me anything. I'm a member of the SSTC and when you make 3 things from one set of skeins, those skeins don't disappear. It's the thought that counts... right?

...screw up my knitting. Someone told me that wine and lace knitting do not mix. This was proved to me on Friday night, when, after the rest departed I picked up Guinevere and began knitting. Figured I could get 10 rows done and be almost ready for the pattern change. Screwed up on the 2nd pattern repeat of the first row. In my wine induced state (two small glasses with dinner) I figured I would fix it on the way back. Because when you are out one stitch and discover it 3 repeats later and then just end off correctly, it will be easy to fix..right? It took me 15 minutes to determine I had Knit 3 together as opposed to 2, thus moving everything over 1 stitch was required- YO and SSK, K2tog. I put it away and went to bed (where I frogged the fetchings - they will never fit the way I want, knit the way they are, therefore out they came). Last night, I sat down and fixed the stole - circular using for the project, and a 2.5 mm addi - to tink back 2 rows (3 in some spots). So I will not drink and knit lace. Maybe some crocheting or straight stockinette, but no drinking. The stole was fixed back to were it should have been (still 14 rows of this repeat) and then I worked on Saartje. One is all finished - but the finishing. The other is cast on - and I learned my lesson on that one too - I used stitch markers this time. Smart move, stupid. Then I went to bed as I was tired and promptly cast on a Dashing for me. They will be long enough, the yarn was already waiting and it's not getting any warmer out there.

...let my brothers and father plan a fix up outside the house. My little brother took measurements, wrote down dimensions and a list of materials for them to find and I'm hoping the weather stays good enough for me to get 1) new front steps -I've been really good; 2) new roof with eaves on front porch - I'll be even better; 3) new floor and roof on death trap shed - I'll watch your children and bake you goodies; and 4) fix up back porch issues - you can sleep and eat for free if it takes more than 1 day. On top of that, I'm guessing it was too cold in the bathroom for the little bro to ... so he caulked all the way around the window and the room is already warmer (and if you sit in there with the door closed for too long, you won't feel any pain). I've only asked 3 or 4 times for someone to help me with it and was almost to the point of trying myself. Thanks little brother. big bro levelled the washer on Friday night

...talk to a MALE person without getting pregnant or dating them or... scenario: phone rings, I ask someone to get it as I am finding paper towels and stuff for caulking bro, and then mom gives phone to me with statement it's a man and the number is. I take phone and say hello and then Hi David, thank you.......... goodbye. Then I look at mom and SIL (younger bro wife) and say that was big gurl's GRANDPA, but if you think I should keep it in the family no worries, and.... I don't understand why they think (and you are in there too Mel) that I am going to get involved with a guy just like that and be pregnant again. Twice in 5 years is not a habit. Perhaps once a year for 5 years or ... I think guys are great, but most of the good ones are married or related to me in some way, shape or form. If I blush, hang up and then give some stupid story, maybe I'm interested, but even then - the little gurl just about ggave me a heart attack - WHY would I want another???????????????

...almost cry when my baby gurl scares me almost to death. Scenario: adults chatting and eating as children play in various rooms and up and down the stairs. Glance over and note that little gurl is reaching for light switch - hmm interesting, but someone said something and then... glance again and fly across the room to grab her off of the stool which has one side on the top of the stairs and the other in mid air. Stare down these stairs at the boots, door frame and small snow shovel that sweet child may have hit. Control heaving stomach, beg someone to remove stool and sit and snuggle little gurl for a moment. Regain normal heart an breathing rhythm. Try to control nightmares, as am wide awake. MUST STOP THINKING ABOUT IT!!!

...give a prize away - to Birdee (my sp11) Will be shopping for something special for her(again), and there is something I want to try out for each of the contestants. Basically, like me you don't really have something just for your stitch markers. And fingering/sock weight is the winner but it sounds like we are all in love with the specialty dyes and yarns out there today. Thanks ladies!!