Saturday, March 31, 2007

These Boots Were Made for Walkin'

This morning, she put her boots on over her footed pj's while I was doing the dishes. I'm getting ready to get my camera out to snap a shot and I hear "naked" from my 2 year old's mouth. I turn around and see her whip her diaper off, look at me and smile. This is the first time she's stripped and I'm sure it won't be the last. She was full of joy at her accomplishment and so happy to be naked. She put her cowgirl boots back on and preceeded to play. Oh what fun to be naked! Did I get pictures? You bet! However, for obvious reasons I won't share them with y'all. I set my camera down only to hear the word I was dreading..."pee"! She was delighted. I hated to steal her thunder but calmly explained that while mistakes happen, it's best to go to the potty when we need to pee or poop. The diaper and clothes made it quickly on to my girl. So did the boots.

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Friday, March 30, 2007

Moments to Remember When Buttons is a Teen


We took a nap together this afternoon after spending the morning at a local farm visiting the piglets and the kids. We snuggled together and out of the blue she points to me and says "you're the best". Heart melting.

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Thursday, March 29, 2007

Fashion Review





























Several months ago I found a review on Mom-O-Matic's blog about clothing she had received in the mail from a company called IGIGI and I thought that was pretty cool. Somebody sends you clothes to try on, review items on your blog, and send them back. Then a lovely woman named Ozlem e-mailed and asked if I'd like to do a review for them. Holy Cow! Um, yeah!

She sent me a lovely top (pictured, but mine was in red) and bottom that was slinky and sexy. Oh, I wanted it to fit and I wanted to like it. Unfortunately this outfit was not meant for my body shape. I think I needed to be taller and also love my curves more. For some reason I had a brain cloud about this review and I'm ashamed to admit how long it's taken me to do it.

I guess the one bonus of taking so long is the fact that I recently started getting some of my spring clothes out and I noticed I have an IGIGI hand-me-down from my sister-in-law that I love. The black wide leg crepe pants are comfy, slinky, classic and make me feel sexy. (Right now, that's saying something.) So, although the outfit Ozlem sent didn't work for me, I would still recommend trying them. I'm a big girl who's not prone to feeling sexy too often, but when I put those pants on, watch out! I'm feelin' fine. Thanks Ozlem*!

*To contact Ozlem, click here. (There's a coupon on there.)

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Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Wordless Wednesday (Fujian, China)


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Friday, March 23, 2007

SP 10 Contest

My SP10 host asked us to participate in a 2 part contest. In the first part, we need to have our questionnaire easy to find on our blog. (See sidebar under "Knit It".) For the second part we need to post about our favorite current projects and why we love them, along with yarn and pattern info. I recently posted about several things on my needles, but I'll post about the "MEO Simple Shell" that I've been working on for a long time. Well, I worked on it and put it away for a long time and just brought it out again. I'm using Lana Gatto Labrador yarn (good luck finding some) and it's acrylic but good! (Yes, I realize that's a bit of an oxymoron, but in this case it's true.)

My favorite thing about it? It's for me! I'm not one to knit for myself and this is my first garment for me (unless you count a poncho), so this seems decadent. I'm hoping to get it done before it's too hot to wear it, so wish me luck on that one. Otherwise, I'll shoot for wearing it in the fall. I just picked it up after years of not touching it and it's miles of stockinette, so wish me luck.

In writing this post about projects on needles, let me just say I have too many. I'm a bit embarassed about it, but I'm working on finishing some of these UFOs (UnFinished Objects). Why do I have so many? Well, the answer is threefold. First, I love to start projects. It's like a first date with its newness and excitement. So I wind up starting projects before I'm done with the knitting that's been around the block a few times with me. Second, I hate finishing. No, not the melancholy that comes with the end of something beautiful. I wish that were me. I don't like seaming, weaving, non-knitting ending stuff. Third and most frustrating, I get stuck. I sometimes feel like I have no concentration and really should just knit scarves, but ugh, that's no fun. So, I wind up needing to pick up stitches or kitchner stitch and you might as well tell me I'm to do brain surgery now. I freeze and need to find something else to knit, but I'm stuck on every other project too. But. I. Must. Knit. So, I begin something new.

I checked out this book from the library the other day and found a 'purl' of wisdom at the back of the book. It was a little essay entitled "What Would Laura Ingalls Do" and the general gist was what did the women do who knit in a little house out on a prairie somewhere with no LYS (local yarn store) nearby? They would have to figure it out themselves. I even have many reference books, but I always seem to do better with a flesh and blood knitter right next to me. However, point taken. I shall work on my projects and get past the stuck parts. My favorite current projects? The ones I will soon finish.

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14 Pounds Down




Ok. I've been really down about not being on the M.I.L.F. program lately, but I've lost 2 more pounds since the last weigh in and I'm down 14 pounds now, so something's working. Wheee! I am walking around without a fourteen pound fish, kitty litter or vacuum inside me. That seems very uncomfortable, doesn't it? Anyway, it's been like three months and even though 14 pounds doesn't seem like major progress, I have to give myself a pat on the back every now and again or I'll just slide right back into all my old bad habits. Vigilance and moderation is my current motto.

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Thursday, March 22, 2007

Whew...

I've been trying to get up the gumption to go and get my first mammogram for like 2 years. I finally did it and I feel so much better. The results aren't back, but the technician said it looked good to her. Breast cancer runs in my mom's side of the family BIG TIME and it's one of my big fears. But, knowledge is power, eh? So, as I wait for the results, I just feel good.

The other good news is that "disease" I was worried about turned out to be nothing. Nothing. I feel like I have a second chance at life. Man, I feel good. There's nothing like having Buttons and my hubby around to make me understand how much I want to grow old. Really old. I want to be at Buttons' retirement party, ok? I don't think that's asking too much.

Wheee!

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Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Wordless Wednesday

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Friday, March 16, 2007

Stay Green, Buttons

Buttons. She can be quite profound.

First off, let me explain that near our house is a yard with a statue that reminds me a bit of the one in Navy Pier, Chicago pictured above. I love the one in Navy Pier. But a rather large and odd statue in a yard? Not only do they have this statue, but they decorate it for different seasons. The bronze kids wear red scarves and Santa hats for Christmas/winter and are currently wearing green hats and scarves for St. Patrick's Day along with an inflatable leprechan. Yes, it's quite subtle, uh, er...tacky. Buttons of course loves it. When we pass by it she exclaims with glee, "guys wearing green"! Today on our way home from swimming class we pass it and I tell her that soon they won't be wearing green, but will probably wear something else for Easter.

Buttons: Easter. Easter. Easter.
Me: Yes, Easter.
Buttons: No, I want it stay green!
Me: I know you like the green but sometimes things have to change.
Buttons: I no like change.

Amen sister. Sometimes I don't like change either. So, being the child of the 80's that I am, I immediately thought of that famous line from The Outsiders ... "stay gold, Ponyboy". Nothing gold can stay, but we'll just have to enjoy the green scarves and the leprechan while they're here and then again next year. Of course, she'll be in pre-school then and I'll be a size 8, so things will have changed.

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Thursday, March 15, 2007

Knitting and Tattoos


I just heard from my SP10 today and it's prompted me to realize it's been a long time since I've blogged about knitting. The reasons? Well, I've been knitting more than blogging lately and I also think there are others out there who do a much better job writing about knitting. Well, I'll at least share the progress with you. The Wonderful Wallaby is going well. I like the Rowan All Seasons Cotton I'm using and the color is really fun. I just started doing the pouch and it's fun. I'm also trying to knit from my stash, so instead of going to my LYS, I just go to my yarn boxes and decide my next projects. I inherited this Lion Brand Wool Ease from my friend P. via her late friend J. and I'm going to make a poncho for Buttons from The Knit Stitch with it. It's a two-tone blue wool acrylic blend and Buttons loves it!
I'm also planning on making some baby hats for all the babies that are popping out around me. The jester hat from The Yarn Girls Guide to Kid Knits is one that I like to do. I also like the little rectangle hat from the Knit Knack Kit and yes, I do have the yarn for that too.

Last, but certainly not least, is this Potato Pirate temporary tattoo I received from Marsha. Buttons, as she has done in the past, decided she didn't want a tattoo, but she wanted me to get one. Arrr, matey, I'll take my taterrrs brrroiled!

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Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Wordless Wednesday

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Sunday, March 11, 2007

I've Lost a Poodle!

No, this is not my dog but rather a pooch weighing 4 1/2 pounds. I haven't been on the scale in a couple of weeks, but this morning I decided I needed a kick in the butt. So, I stepped on the scale and lo and behold...4 1/2 pounds!

What's my secret? Oh, it's not good. Around this time of year I always seem to think I have some nasty disease that's going to end very badly. I can work myself up so much that I lose my appetite (also a possible symptom of disease). So, while I celebrate my loss, I'm going a little crazy.

I think it's been worse since Buttons came along because I am more aware of my mortality and I want to be around to see her grow up into a woman. I could say I want to be at her wedding, but I don't want to assume she'll have one. I want to see her happy, doing something she enjoys and having love in her life. So, I better take care of myself.

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Wednesday, March 07, 2007

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday















Happy Birthday Uncle G.!

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Saturday, March 03, 2007

Refreshing Peppermint


I purchased this the other day at our local crunchy granola store. The packaging alone is worth picking up a bottle. Buttons has this for an all in one cleanser for our showers after swim class and I wanted to simplify as well. I chose peppermint because I thought it would be rejuvenating and might even get the chlorine smell out. That stuff can be brutal! Well, Dr. Bronners soap purports to be an all purpose cleanser ("Shave-Shampoo-Massage-Dental-Soap-Bath") so I figured I'd give it a shot. First came the shampoo portion which was nice and mild. Then came the arms and the upper body and I could really smell it. Refreshing peppermint. Then came the nether regions. Let me just tell you that for some, refreshing peppermint may be something they desire in this area. For me it was a bit too much like Listerine for my bottom and hoo-hoo. And it lasted long after the quick rinse off. The really unfortunate part was that I found it completely hilarious and yet there was no one there that I knew well enough to tell. Fortunately playgroup was the next day and I told my story. Marsha told me I had to blog about it and that I should send an e-mail to Dr. Bronners for its new use. How would I phrase that? "Try our peppermint soap down there when you want your va-jay-jay minty fresh!?"

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