Aug 27

Hello-Hello

Family, Knitting, Life, Love 1 Comment »

Honestly, I’ve tried to be better about blogging. It seems that I can write (several) FaceBook posts a day but writing a blog entry escapes me. It may be because I can post to FB from my phone…but I can also blog from my phone. I think it has more to do with the length of the post. FB posts are more like thoughts…single thoughts. To me, a Blog entry is more like a story. Stories take longer to write.

If you follow my on FaceBook, you’ll know that I’m working a lot. Waiting tables can be a lot of fun (seriously). But physically it is tremendously draining. I think the solution is going to be finding a pair of shoes that I can stand in for 8-12 hours.

Then there are the kids…the 3 dogs that we share our life with. They are constantly demanding our attention!

Bentley loves his cuddle!


On the knitting front, I try hard every day to work on my book. What that entails, lately, is knitting the items in the book. I know I should farm these out to other knitters. But my “design” style is to make it up as I go. That’s a tough direction to write. AND, what’s frustrating is, I can’t show you what I’m doing. I will however show you a swatch. Get your hands on Classic Elite’s Portland Tweed and START KNITTING. It’s an amazing yarn. (By the way, the color I’m using is #5036. Don’t ask for details, I can’t give ‘em. =0)

a little swatch from what I'm working on


So, that’s enough for now. In the next hour, I’ve got to shower, walk the dogs again, get some knitting in, respond to a few important emails, get dressed, get to the restaurant and work until 5…that’s 11-5, a long shift. But then I have the weekend OFF to spend with my honey. Sunday we head to NH for a combined birthday celebration for all the kids (and a chance for Gretl and Bentley to chase the chickens again.)

Is that a hint of fall I smell in the air? Not if you look at the forecast…90° on Sunday?

That’s it from here…off to the crazy whirl-wind!

Jun 23

Puppyhood Adventures

Life 1 Comment »

Little Boy Bentley, new to our family.

If you had asked me 2, 3, 4 months ago, I would have laughed at you if you suggested we get another dog, let alone a puppy. Yes, Michael and I scan the MSCPA and other “rescue” sites oooh-ing and aaah-ing over the puppys. Here and there we say, “Oh, let’s get that one.” But I thought it was much like oooh-ing and aaah-ing over the property listings that we also look at. “Honey, let’s buy that place.” Or, “Do you think that 4 bedrooms is too big for what we need.” That kind of stuff. It’s all a game. (That is except winning the HGTV Green House. That we are winning and moving to Plymouth, Ma when we do! Just by the way.)

Bentley, in my arms

So when Michael, much like many morning before it, said, “Oh, look at Bentley. Let’s get him.” I said, “OK.” Lo and behold, he called. That was Saturday. On Monday, we were walking home from the park with Bentley in tow to — get this — see how things go “over night.”. Off to Petco we went, bought a bed, food, treats…the whole thing. Of course I was completely smitten. Completely and utterly. I’ve never owned a puppy. Luke was 2 when we adopted him.

Play with me!

Now, Gretl was happy to meet him and that first day they played and played. And played and played…and played and played. They continue to play, all through the house, all through the day!

Miss Gretl, perhaps a bit pooped

Pausing occasionally to sleep.

How can this be comfortable?

Even the little prince pauses every now and again, although what with some of the positions he gets in, I don’t know how restful it is!

The regal, old man, Luke

Then, on Tuesday, we went to pick up Luke. Remember him? Yes, Luke is alive and well and wondering what the hell we were thinking of. Now he has to get used to a new puppy! Lukily for us, Luke is the most easy going dog there is and took the new addition in stride. He even goes to investigate and make sure every one is OK when the Gretl/Bentley “play” elicits a YELP from the boy. (or girl…he can give it too.)

Walks with the 3 are adventuresome. What with 3 leashes, 3 different sizes, and gaits. I have to admit that as soon as we’re out of the building, they all come off the leash and it’s like a little parade…me with the poop bags (3 bags of poop when we’re done) following behind.

It’ll get easier, right?

Everything will settle down and I’ll get some knitting done, right?

Right?

May 24

Hmmmm…Comfortable?

Knitting, Life 1 Comment »

Ugh. Can it be that I let things slip this far? You see it all started near Mother’s Day when dad mentioned to me that I looked a little more “comfortable” than I did last time he saw me. I choose to take that as meaning that I look relaxed and happy not fat as a pig. But numbers don’t lie and I stepped on the scale this morning and to my horror and dismay, I’ve gained back 12 of the 40 I lost. Hmmm. Perhaps it IS that I’m in a much happier place and that despair and depression don’t play a part in my home life anymore. AND food is celebration. BUT, it stops here. It stops now!

So, finished the little sweater for Michael’s nephew. Finished it in the car on the way to Newtown, PA as a matter of fact. But I think it came out lovely. AND, think it’s a pattern that will be in the book. However, in a moment of unexpected inspiration I had an idea, a design idea that combines three existing and popular designs. I cast on this morning and we’re going to see how this comes together. Perhaps some knitting in the park during this LOVELY day.

So stay tuned on both fronts. Hope your day is as lovely as mine…About 85, no humidity, no clouds…I got grass and some shade under a tree in my near future!

May 16

Seriously? (or Collapse at Brunch)

Life 1 Comment »

OK, so…here we are (Eileen, Michael and I) enjoying a lovely brunch at Ledge in the Lower Mills area of Dorchester. We’ve had a glass of sangria, the sun is shining. I think I’m looking OK. Got my “Lucky” jeans on which means my butt looks good. We’re enjoying the day. Then I hear a crack. It seemed to be coming from my chair, so I look down…yes, the side of my chair is coming apart from the seat…”I’d better get up,” I think, “before the whole thing falls apart.” Too late. As I try to stand up, the left side of the chair starts to come apart and I instantly loos about 4″ of altitude, then in a second drops, more cracking, this time loud, “CRACK”s and next thing I know I’m in a pile of rubble, sangria in my lap…The chair collapsed on me, in the patio of a nice restaurant, FULL of people. The waitress (it was her first day, by the way) and the manager come over ALL a frenzy. I’m dazed and I think my leg might be bleeding (but it wasn’t…just a scrape). I jump up, bow to the other diners and say, “I’m really not that fat.” ::applause:: ::applause:: and I head to the bathroom to take a peek at my leg…Michael follows closely behind.

Then we start laughing…I mean REALLY laughing. BELLY laughing. This is pretend, right? This isn’t happening to me. The manager is all nervous, comping my brunch and handing me a $25.00 gift card, repeatedly saying how sorry he was. All I could say was I didn’t think I was hurt and that I had noticed that the chair did seem a little wobbly. And on that note….we left.

Cue your own laughter.

(side note: left arm, shoulder, shoulder blade, all stiffened throughout the day…OUCH!)

May 14

Memory

Life 1 Comment »

I have a freakishly-accurate memory for details…even conversations and phrases used in a conversation. Some may say it’s faulty (yes, sister…it WAS in Kings Plaza in Plaistow where you asked Dad if he wanted his Shitz (instead of Schlitz) beer. LOL). And some find it completely annoying. Anyway, someone once said to me:

“Discipline” is doing what you don’t want to do, when you don’t want to do it, to the very best of your ability.

It was one of the only things from this group that I’ve “kept” as a valuable truth. But blast it all if I don’t want to be undisciplined just now…even writing this means I’m not doing what I don’t want to do, but must do. UGH…off I go to do it.

May 13

Starting to See It

Family, Knitting, Life 2 Comments »

OK, so I’m starting to recognize how my mind and body work around this writing thing. It truly isn’t something that can be forced. I’ve tried. I only have had to go back and re-write what I forced. But as time (and sometimes days) passed without writing, I’ve beaten myself up for not writing. But the writing doesn’t come or is bad…but I should be writing. right?

So, I started making mental notes of when the writing flows a bit easier, and when it’s harder. I think, for me, writing is easier in the mornings. Editing, designing and knitting flow best in the afternoon and evening hours. So enough of this self-flagellation. I’m going to listen to my mind and body as they discover this book hidden deep with-in the subconscious. It definitely isn’t something that can be dug out with brute force. It’s more the way an archaeologist digs…gentle brush strokes that oh, so, slowly expose what’s buried.

Here’s a little picture of my boys. I’ve been teching myself Photoshop and Illustrator in the non-writing moments. This is something I did in a little tutorial.

It’s a gorgeous day here in the Northeast. I’m going to go back, write some more until the well is dry for the morning. I definitely see some park-time with the dogs in my near future. Then a Drum Corps movie this evening…to gets the folks excited for the Drum Corps season coming up. How I love me a “horn line” blaring!

May 12

Here We Go Again

Knitting, Life 3 Comments »

It occurred to me recently that maybe I should be blogging. I don’t know why. But, if my intention is to write a book, and hopefully teach, I should start communicating, no?

Writing is an interesting “job.” While I’m in the position to be able not to work a full time job (but believe me, things are not sumptuous and care-free) for a little while, I have found it nearly impossible to fill a “work day” with knitting and writing. And that leaves a lot of time on my hands. Time that my Puritan-influenced mind says should be filled with money-earning, real work. I have to TRY to remember that this time is really a gift. Because if I were to get a “real” job, I KNOW I would be complaining (right here on this blog) about having no time to either knit or write my book. So, I write every day, and knit every day and try not to throw myself off of the Mystic River Bridge in between. Before this, I would never have guessed that walls really were easy to climb. Spiders have nothing on me!

Maybe this is going to become a pattern…maybe it’s just going to remain a gift for Michael’s nephew’s first birthday. I do love the color and, it’s cotton (alright it’s 50% cotton and 50% acrylic…but someone gave it to me and, well…the coffers aren’t over-flowing with extra cash these days…so we knit with what we have.) I’m still (after sooo many years) stuck on texture. I like to knit Fair Isle but when I design, it’s almost always texture. This, admittedly, is a subtle texture. But I really like it. Now on to the “front”

So, “Hello” again. Hopefully this becomes a trend. Let’s see. Off to knit and write and try to make a dent in what needs to be done. Wish me luck! LOL!

Mar 01

I Finally Found Someone

Life, Love 4 Comments »

I am not one to discount my history or experiences because something new or someone new has come along. As many of you know I have “finally”found someone new

some one to share my life…
to be with every night.


I’ve been singing the Streisand/Adams song “I Finally Found Someone” all morning. And it really does feel like that. What I like to believe is that:

This time is different
And it’s all because of you
It’s better than it’s ever been
‘Cause we can talk it though

…because this time does feel completely different. I’d like to think that I’m honoring my previous relationship in that I’ve learned from it and, hopefully, grown. And for the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to the rest of my life…

Feb 22

A Month Early

Family, Life 2 Comments »

OK, so after a really sweet weekend (hmmm…they all seem sweet lately) M and I were driving home, south on 93 and my phone rings. It was a guy from Kenmore Air the airline that is going to take me from Seattle to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island….next month. I wondered why they were calling on a Sunday afternoon…they were wondering if I missed the shuttle. Huh? What shuttle. Er…Um…the one from Seattle Airport to the KenmoreAir flight.

Well, it seems when I was making my reservations, I did it for February 21-27 instead of March 21-27. OOOPS…thankfully they were really accommodating and changed the reservation without penalty.

So the streak of good luck continues.

M’s meeting the folks and family went really well. Who wouldn’t fall in love with him immediately upon meeting him?

And now off to work for my third week. Seems like I’ve been there for a long, time already. I sort of fully take the reins this week rather than work in tandem with the old traffic manager. I’m looking forward to it.

Good day all…

Nov 10

Ran Away

Life, Maastricht 09 Vacation No Comments »

Yes, so I’ve run away. Run far away from home. I’ve ended up in Maastricht, The Netherlands, visiting my buddy Joel. Strange-ish first day since not a lot is open on Mondays here. I ask myself, “Why Monday.” I suppose from a business perspective, it’s better to close on a Monday than a weekend day. But didn’t they consider that I would be coming to visit?

First impressions were how interestingly the Dutch are converting some of their buildings, notably, old churches. Unlike Boston, they’re not simply preserving the exterior, and building a more modern building. I really like what they’re doing here.
…an old church converted into a bookstore
bookstore.church

I love the contrast of the book stacks and the arches.
chuch.book.stacks

this is a wonderful copper-lined entrance to a new hotel, the Kruisheren Hotel, a converted monestary. The inside is spectacular.
new.entrance

The contrast of the ultra modern lights wit the ancient  is wonderful.
church.hotel

…even keeping little nichés intact
church.niche

This isn’t a converted church. I just have a things for flying buttresses . I love them and think they’re elegant!

flyingbuttress

and, finally…my new glasses are VERY in here in Europe. I can’t decide whether I feel relieved that I don’t stick out like a sore thumb or just another one “of the crowd.”
Photo 19

OK, so that’s the first day’s report. More to come. On today’s agenda…Dutch french fries, shopping for wool socks, going to some terrific bakery (fig and nut brood), and a wonderful snack food, bitterballen met moestard. YUM! (and, no, Gage…we’re also keeping up with Wii Fitness to keep El Gordo at bay!) Stay tuned!

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