Christmas Migraine

Sometimes I notice I'll ignore the fact I have a migraine. Not ignore the pain, god no. How can you? No, I mean I just deal with it and almost hope that it will just go away if I try to ignore it. Like when you're training a baby to sleep on it's own and it cries for the first few nights, you ignore those cries even though you are very aware they're there.

Christmas left me with this one and I have to say it's the WORST christmas gift I have ever received.

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Working on a scarf for Shay, but it's going slowly due to migraine. Then I have a TON of baby items to make for so many of my friends that are having babies. Soooo many babies. That itself is enough for a migraine.

Trees

It's been wonderful. Decorating that is. Mom and I had an agreement that involved me a decorating her house for christmas. But there's only 2 trees! TWO!!! The main one and the ballerina one.

The picture is the one that I have at home. I decorated it with Totty. Since she's four and her grandma got her a ton of ornaments to decorate the tree with we did just that. However some in the house are saying it's too decorated. What do you think? I think it's just fine!

Baby Knits

Today I found out that the majority of my girl friends are having children. Holy crap! How many booties should I make now? 8? 14? I feel dizzy. And need soft yarn. I feel dizzy and need soft yarn. So many babies. This is why I request all of my ladies to post as many pictures as you can on facebook so I can see them! Love to see them! Babies everywhere.

The sock is finished and so is a scarf. Half way threw another and need to start a hat. THEN I will be done with my christmas knitting. Just booties for babies, or socks, need soft yarn- have I mentioned that? Sorry no pictures!

Not knitting nearly as much as I want, school and all. Plus nothing happens to me much. I visit my nieces and nephew often, but never seem to get pictures- it could be due to the fact my digital camera is broken. My cell camera still works, but it's not as good as my digital. First my digital camera brakes, then my printer. technology hates me. I knit there when I'm not doing homework or talking with the family. It's really nice to spend time with them.

Now to figure out tonights homework and this thanksgiving schedule.

Schooooooooool

Yup. We all knew school would consume my life. So another apology, however between studying I've been knitting and venting with playing Sims (both Sims3 and Sims Medieval). Oh yes, I've been updating my amazon wish list in case anyone is interested. ;)

A week ago, well almost a week ago, on Sunday, I couldn't really breath so Neil took me to the ER. They told me it was "Pleurisy" "-an inflammation and swelling of he lining of the lungs. Because of this inflammation, it hurts to breathe." The doc only gave me a LOT of pain killers that I don't like but it's better to breath and feel funny foggy in the head. I am glade it's not painkillers that would make me happy- I'm terrified of getting addicted to them and being an addict.

School, knitting, sims, tea, twitter, gaia, and hulu. That is what I do. :) Nothing amazingly special, but it's school, things aren't going to be terribly interesting in the beginning.

FOUND!!!

Found it, found it, found it!!! Since then I've been doing my best to work on it at every possible chance, between homework assignments (on my breaks). I am determined to get this sock done well before this month is done so I can work on other christmas/winter holiday projects.

School is stressful, but not as bad now that I'm beginning to get used to it. I'm hoping that as it goes the stress will decline more. So far it's proven right. Though I am a bit disappointed. I got my calender mixed up a bit; I thought that October 11th was no classes, but it turns out November 11th is the day. Kinda a disappointment since I have to pick dad up at the airport tomorrow.

So that's me in a nutshell right now!

Missing

MY SOCK IS MISSING!!! I have been searching EVERYWHERE for it! I have started school and now can't look for it. There are only so many places a sock in progresses can hide. Seriously, where in the world is it? Could I have left it at the convention center?! Oh shit. I just thought of that... I think that's the last place I had it. T_T This is terrible. The yarn shop where I got the yarn for the socks is no longer in business (sad panda) so I only have one sock of one color. I need to find that other sock that's half done.

School has started. >_< It's been... fun. Yah, lets go with fun. We all know it was going to be stressful going in, so it's not a surprise to know there's stress. I have to say that it's really fun too. The bags are heavy and killing my back and my hips are bugging me a bit, but the walking around is good exercise (sp?)! Quarters, I need more quarters for parking. Or a parking pass. If money wasn't tight I would get one and save my back from harsh wakings with heavy bags. Seriously, terrible terrible pains. My body is protesting violently, at times I feel like throwing up along the way to my car the pain is so bad. I make stops along the way to rest but that only seems to make it worse. Either way I need to get something figured out.

There be no progress pictures up of my sock because it's MISSING and there is no picture of anything new because school has started and my time is very limited. Well, that and I have no idea what I should do next, I'm open to new ideas. Send them my way! A new scarf, baby booties (oh yeah, I need to make a pair of those), a canoe, anything you can think of that is within reason, wrist warmers, a mini cloud... keep those creative ideas open!

Windshield Rain

Here we are, driving to the con (short for "convention") meeting, and it is starting to rain... on our side of the mountain!!! Our first comments were: the car will finally get washed. Neil seems to be handling the driving rather well.

And here I am in the passenger with my kindle and knitting! Still working on the sock. Taking forever but I'd rather take my time and get it right. Hopefully it will be done before christmas.

Mirror Aunt

I looked in the mirror last night and smiled. The image of my late Aunt Maria came into my mind, I'm looking more and more like her. Am I missing her so much I'm trying to make myself look like how I remember her? The last time I visited her she was overweight (like I am now) and had short hair (like I do).

Or is it that I want my nieces and nephew to have to have her in their life so much (and I can't be like her personality wise, I've already tried), that I'm trying to give them the image of her?

Aunt Maria was the perfect aunt in my eyes and I want to be like her and I want the kids to have that perfect aunt. I know I'm not her, but could I be becoming so overweight because I'm subconsciously wanting to look like my aunty I'm missing so?

No one should be like the dead. They were who they were, and we should let them have their legacy, and try to have our own.

No one wants to forget the dead, or be forgotten when they die. So who am I?

Lak of Posts

Sure enough, things happen, and I think of the post, writing it in my head, but getting it down onto the computer seems to be a taxing job. I love to blog, but this past month or so seems to be difficult to put my words down.

I have failed you, I am sorry. I do promise to change that. I will do my best to change this. School will start, con stuff will become more pressing, but my crafts will be my release, my blog will be my release, Neil will be my rock, Sam will be my, well, he's my baby, so I'm not really sure what to classify him under.

Should I give anime reviews of animes I watch, the ones Vito insist I watch? Might be interesting, Eh, maybe I might put a few in, just for fun.

Migrains, Menopause and Apps

There is a momentary silence, but it wont last. Ever so small a moment where there is no sharp pain or pounding. What would be the price to pay to be rid of migraines? They seem to be getting more and more frequent as I age. Granted I am only 24- 25 next month. Some say menopause hits and they go away, some say they only get worse. Must I wait till then, ascending in pain levels to see, just on hear-say that they might go away?

With smart phones, you get a whole new world of apps, and I have one that helps track migraines. It's rather neat. I mark the date, time, intensity, triggers, meds (if I take any), location and extra notes. I'm not sure why location is relevant, but it's there. It's like a diary for me. No matter where I go I have this app that almost says "Hey, I understand, now tell me about all of it." Not that it really talks in a voice, that would just be creepy.

Crisis!!!

Now here's my crisis: what should I do with Megan on her day? See, I spent a day with Lauren. We went to a movie (Smurfs, it was fun), shopping, lunch, hung out, but would an 8 year old like that too? Blah. What would she like? Mom suggested the petting zoo, which would be a good idea, then a movie, then some ice cream, but that seems like a lot of money for a day... that could be her birthday gift right? I NEED ideas!!!

Giving blood is a bitch. Today Neil and I went to give blood. Just me, Neil didn't give blood, he was my driver. My iron count was good, yah! But my veins rolled half way threw the bag (can they really do that?) and they couldn't find them again, so the bag was half full and unable to be used. Fuck that.

Knitting has been going well though... got one sock done, Neil tried it on (he's my foot model) and he says I made it a about 1/2 inch too short. T_T So sad. The other one has to match so I have to wait till the next pair to make them 1/2 longer. Ugh. Lately I've been dreaming (yes, dreaming) of different colored fingering yarn for socks. I want to learn how to make them from the toe up, but I'm having hard time understand my fabulous Wendy Johnson book. I love her, but I'm getting confused. >_<

Kitten

Since we had to take back our kitten, I decided it was time for another change. Yup, purple! Well, blue-ish-purple.

The kitten was all black... getting some white on her tummy, and in the right light glowed a little reddish-orange. Her mother was black, her father orange-white. We couldn't keep her because Sam wasn't accepting her and it wasn't fair to him or her to keep her. We had named her and were weening her (she had lost her mother to a coyote at week one, she's at week five), and even litter box trained her. It was a hard decision but we had to make it, she went back to a loving home, they wanted her back too so that was good. She will always be known as Fuku Fumoffu, and Alberta to them. I'll still get to see her when I get my hair done, but it wont be the same.

Our hearts are broken and we need something to keep them occupied a bit more, so here's hoping!

Family

Wow. The family reunion trip we took (a few days ago... sorry for being lazy and not updating!) on the 8th-11th.

It was Neil's first time on the plane and I have to say, it was kinda cool. He got to see a few major landmarks from the air, it was fascinating, though taking pictures of it isn't easy. He of course got the window seats and I got the middle seats (icky!) but it was worth it. The airport scene was great. I didn't relies how much I missed it! The sound of the clicking when the wheels of suitcases hit the cracks of the tiles. The sound and smells. Ah! Miss traveling. Hope to travel again soon.

Meeting family was interesting. It was fantastic. I loved it. I hope Neil told the truth that he was okay and did in fact have fun. Meeting new babies, babies that grew into kids, kids that grew into teenagers, and teenagers that grew into young adults, young adults that grew into better adults, and better adults that grew into elders that are both goofy and wise. Ah, the cycle of life. It was great. Neil met so many family members but also got to have time to himself in the moter-home (he had a computer or two to fix). There was cake (made by our fabulous cousin! She's so talented!), caterers with such yummy food, fruit to no end that the kids just ate up (and me.....). So much fun to be had.

The first reunion, the one on the 9th was at the family adobe. HUGE amount of people. There were so many family I didn't know we had. There was a snow-cone machine (huge fan of it....), cotton candy, mist tent, bouncy house, dunk tank, and so much more. OH! and I live mariachi band, or how ever it's spelled. Where there is the Mexican attire and like five in the band one singer, it's awesome.

The next day was spent at grandma's. And that's where the fruit was and the catering and the amazing cake came in.  Plus the amazing pool. Salt water pool. I was in it almost all day, didn't remember sunscreen. Note to self, REMEMBER SUNSCREEN!!! I have this odd super-hero-type-suntan on my back. A white X on dark skin. I'm a superhero in revers! Ha ha. It was so great to spend time with my family and have them all meet Neil and say that they like him.

Overall fantastic!

Out of Shape

Cleaning your massive room can make you winded. I had to use my inhaler! Since we moved in almost two months ago there have been some boxes left in the room, since there is room in our big room. It doesn't help that I'm very lazy and get panic attacks whenever I see said boxes. Not today. Today I decided to tackle them a bit. Got a good amount done before I noticed I wasn't really breathing. Scary. Gasping a bit I reached for my med chest and got the inhaler. Little Totty (Vito's daughter) had been 'helping' me with the cleaning (she's 4) and seeing me use the inhaler wanted to try it. I said no. So instead I decided to try our ultra special perfume that makes you smell like cake. That did it for her and she forgot all about the inhaler.

Man, am I out of shape or what?

Good news though. Not only am I going to start school in the fall, I'm doing more for the con! That's right, I'm helping Trinket out more with the con by being "Assistant Public Relations Manager". She believes in me and I her so I know this will work out. I have Neil to be my rock, he believes in me too. I've always wanted to do more for the con (con  is short for Sakura-con) and this is a great time to spread my wings.

No crafts, well, just my barf scarf. Having fun with it. Just different patterns along the whole thing. When it's done you guys get to see it. ;)

Internet Junkyard #16

Manure:  In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported
by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large
shipments of manure were common.

It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when
wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the
process of fermentation began again, of which a by product ismethane gas.
As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and
did) happen.


Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came
below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!

Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just
what was happening.

After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term
 ' Ship High In Transit ' on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it
high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold
would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane..

Thus evolved the term ' S.H.I.T ', (Ship High In Transit) which has come
down through the centuries and is in use to this very day.

You probably did not know the true history of this word.
Neither did I.  I had always thought it was a golf term.

Little Things

It's the little things that keep you going. Like the cute teabags in your tea-tin. Or the sweet smelling lotion you rub on your hands. Or the way most men (generally older) hold the door open for you. Little things like that. Those special touches that make life a little more enjoyable. Such as my latest craft!

As many of you know, one of my dear friends is having a baby girl! Woots! So all those cute baby socks that I made, that I didn't know the gender for (thank god it's a girl because there were some pretty feminine socks in there) but made anyways. So yeah. I finally got time, and space, to work on the box!

It started off as a box I got from a chocolate store. Round and neat. The chocolate place is awesome by the way. I know that not everyone wants their hopes up when they see a box labed that it's full of chocolates and then don't get them so...

Wrapping paper time!

Doesn't it look pretty? I had to do all those triangle cuts to make it go around since it's a circular box... make sense?

So there it is. An hour of dedicated work for the little things to make their baby gift a little special. After all, without the little things, where would we be?

Golden Wine

While life IS going forward, it feels like it's going so slow it's in pending mode. Going back to school (dealing with FAFSA), regular exercise on the wii (we got a black one!), and room enough to get started on my craft projects. But all I seem to be doing is the first two, and reading books! Oh and tea... plently of tea for me to drink.

I can't help but wonder where this all is leading to. Wonder if someone will come up to me and say "Would you like to know how it all ends?" and how would I answer? Part of me says yes, and part of me says no. The schooling, the whole moving out. Was it a good idea? Is this all leading to a good path? I have enough regrets as it is, I don't want this to be one more. It's hard to imagin that more school would be a regret, but anything is possible.

Now for something positive! Sammy's doing better. At least he looks it. The meds I think are helping with the fluid in his lungs and blood in his bladder. He has become more needy and demanding of attention. Very unlike him. It's rather nice, like last night, I was laying it bed reading when he came up and laid on the book! Well, I had to give him attention then! He was so damn cute I couldn't help it!

Dear readers, I am off to watch more Doctor Who and paint my nails Golden Wine and drink green tea. Wish you luck.

Moving Part ???

Anyone know of a gadget cleaner (electronic wipes/cleaner type stuff) that won't dry out after a week after being first opened? Seriously. Less then a week and the wipes are all dried out. The very last one is barely damp enough to do the job. What the hell.

On to the moving, because I know you don't want to know about gadget wipes. The move is irritating still, and I am taking it slow. It's not like we're going anywhere (bada-bing) so I'm not to worried.

Knitting seems to have taken a backseat to this, and yet I've been working on my miscellaneous/mindless scarf. It's scary fun. I'm trying to think of different patterns, like a patchwork pattern for a few inches, then switch to a sockstinch for another few inches, then a lacy one. It's fun. A light purple acrylic yarn, that is rather soft. Can't help but wonder what this mindless scarf will turn into. So far it just looks odd.

Moving Is So Much Fun

Not! Who decided that stuff took up so much room? Seriously, who said that this little picture frame was to take up half the box?! T_T Drives me nuts. It's been 20-ish days and we're still not fully unpacked. Getting there, but not yet.

I have my office area almost done with... about half way I'd say. It's BIG... BIG big. I will have photos later on when it's done, whenever that will be. I have those string of lights up, the ones people put on trees during the christmas holiday. They let off a nice glow and don't make a sound that most bulbs do that gives me a headache.

Part of why it's taking so long is that we're also going threw our stuff and tossing what we don't use or even need (now or in the future). I'm also going threw all my old momentos (spelling?) and seeing what still holds sentimental value and what doesn't. Somethings I have forgotten which makes me wonder if I have lost it because it truly wasn't a memorable memory, or because of the medication and it's side-effect of memory loss. Either way, I tossed some things, put others in a box to give away, and some back in the save-box. I'm a pack-rat after all.

Hold On

I am alive! Just no internet. :(

Making a Home

What makes a home. A question that has pledged us for generations. Is it the memories that are made inside? The building that is built to house a family? Or is it the butt load of crap put in it? Because if it is the latter then this is a home times like five. When did we get all this stuff? WHEN!? When we have our own place it will be great, but we have roommates... it's so overwhelming really.

So far we have counted one broken lamp and one broken snow globe my sister Jennifer gave me. I have always cherished it and cried so hard when I found it broken. The music piece and the inside of the globe are fine, but the glass and glitter are dead (along with the water of course).

Things are coming along slowly, but I think it's meant to be slowly.

Moving Craziness

Day 4 (yesterday) into the move and already I am having internet withdraws. Kidding. Nah, doing okay without it. Would like it, but entertaining one's self with Sims Medieval and not unpacking. Sad I know. Would really like to have my blog updated, facebook checked, and emails dealt with. Oh and a simple non-important thing called SEARCHING FOR A JOB!!! Public library it is, or going to a wifi place with Cupcake (laptop's name).

Taking pictures of the rooms of before we move in, and will take pictures of after we get settled in so you kinda know how we decorate the area and such. I don't know, I think it would be kinda cool, and hopefully the readers will like it.

Odly enough, we haven't been eating totally healthy, but I've noticed my cloths (and undies) have been fitting loosely. Not a ton, but a little bit, just enough for me to notice. Though it could be from all the moving... granted I really haven't lifted a finger during this whole thing, remember, my back?

Sam seems to be liking the new surroundings, well, the closed is his favorite place so far. The corner of the closet is what he likes best. He's still a bit scared, less so then when we first got here, which is good since Neil washed the carpet in the room yesterday. Sammy layed beside me in bed and I just petted him and talked with him, reassuring him that he was okay.

Overall I think this move has gone rather well. Would be better if I had more kitchen things (mixing bowls, cupcake/muffin sheet thing, forks). I digress.

Day 5 (current day) is going fine. The last of our stuff has entered this house and I have to say, we have a shit load of stuff. Seriously, when did we get all this crap? SO MANY BOXES!!! Starting to feel overwhelmed and Neil and Vito are off doing their card thing at the local card shop and wont be home till like midnight. So I hijacked the internet from Vito's computer and using it to look for a job, write a blog, do a little facebook, and get caught up on emails! WAH! Crazy in the house! Oh, and I have to watch the rest of Highlander before the 10th because the library will charge a late fee if it's late. Craziness all around. So Sam and I are getting all cozy in the bed, watching a rather good looking guy save the day on the screen, while knitting up the hat.

Good times were had by all. I have to say, while it is nice to live on our own, I'm getting anxiety from all this stuff. We can't fully move in till the owners move their stuff out. *sigh* until then a box fort might be built.

Sakura Con

Con!!! Aside from the ear full I got from the two people I went with, I thought the con went rather well. Sure I didn't get to go to the zombie panel (more zombie fans then I anticipated) and less time for shopping then I was hopping for, but overall I thought the customs were fun, the people were nagging (but still looked like they were having fun for the most part), and things seemed to run smoothly.

It seemed nice enough, to me anyways.

We're packing up and it's been rather stressful! My fiance has been doing most of it so it shouldn't be bothering me that much, but it triggered a nasty headache yesterday (and one somewhat today as well). I'll probably have pictures of our place when we get settled in. So far it's all about them moving out and us just packing up at our current place. It's going to be nice to be in our own place (we'll have roommates, but it's still kinda like our own place) but paying rent is going to suuuuuuck! It's not bad (no, I wont tell), but still I'd like 0$ rent!

Knitting!!!! I've been working on a hat that my Aunty asked me to make for her grandbaby! What dose that make him, my cousin's son that is... dose that make him anything? My second cousin? My nephew-cousin-second? Gah, too confusing.

Gadgets!!! My new laptop has arrived and I am very happy. So is mommy! She got my "old" one. While my "old" laptop was really nice and not really that old, it didn't do things I needed it to do, like gaming and hold my writings like this one is meant to. Plus the picture on this bad boy is sweeeeeet! Mom needed an upgrade from her stone age one. It's not old in human years, but in computer years it was beyond old. So, she got the "old" laptop, I get a new one (which wasn't badly priced, the only reason we got it) and I can play my Sims without hassle! WOOTS!

That's all folks!

Final Countdown

I'm expecting a drum-roll of sorts. Any minute that one song, final "Final Countdown", or whatever, will just start and we'll all start a intense battle with our packing of cloths, Neil's magic cards, finding of cosplay cloths and wigs, dreaming of ramune, and calculating of gas money. Pew pew pew! Intense battle! Victory goes to us! The rawer of the crowd that just appeared goes wild.

Wow. If nothing, my imagination will make things interesting until I get to the amazing con. Oh how I can't wait! I need to find a simple project to keep my hands busy, but nothing much that I can't do  my job during the con. Thinking a scarf, not a hat.

Ideas?

Some Pics

With Sakura-Con less then a week away, tensions here at the house are high. Mainly because of the flood.  Second because of the coming up attraction Neil and I will be going to, along with our best friend and my soul sister, N. I should really find a new code name for her. How about "Ninja N".... nah. "N.Sward Fighting" ... wow, that's bad too. Come up with any let me know.

Yes I know I know, "WHERE ARE YOUR KNITTING PROJECTS!?" That's what I'm yelling too. Since so much has been going on, all I've been doing is knitting a mindless scarf (no pics) and the last of the baby socks.

From mobile

 Isn't it cute? I did the last of the yellow with the last of the blue. Yah! Just enough for both. Gender neutral? I think so.

I try to take pictures of Sammy because I want some art done of him at the con.

From mobile

As you can tell that is not going to happen. Somehow he knows when I put the phone into camera mode. Don't know how he knows, but he just dose.

Isabelle on the other hand...

From mobile

... loves the camera, and yarn/string.

That's it for now. Trying to figure life out one blog post at a time.

Spring

Spring has sprung, in more ways then one. Not only is it lovely this time of year, but the basement has sprung a spring.

Good news: we can start bottling natural fresh spring water.

Bad news: insurance wont cover all the damages because it's a natural occurrence.

Also on the bad news and mostly related, the spoors, and overall dampness has left me with tons of headaches and unable to get motivated for a blog entry, or much knitting.

Thinking of you, dear internet readers!

Flooded

The downstairs (basement) is completely flooded. Mom always said she wanted an indoor pool! Seriously, she wont shut up about it.

There is a new spring that has come up threw the floor. Yup. We have a fresh water spring. My theory is because of the nasty earthquakes and tsunami happening, somehow we got an aftershock of some sorts aaaallllllllll the way over here. That and the super moon. Combined - BAM! New spring flooding our basement with fresh healthy water (contaminated by concrete and various items such as dry way and wood and clothing and carpet it becomes icky).

The kids are forced into the living room, where our christmas took place this last year. It's not the most comfortable, but the kids are surprisingly making it work. There are of course ups and downs because of such a drastic and sudden change, but they're kids.

The parents are in the guest bedroom which has turned into their family/TV/everyone's bedroom. The picture is of the living room, not the quest bedroom. Lisa (mom to the kids) was playing the video game as the kids were suppose to be asleep. They are SO spoiled! :) It's great. They were like 15 minutes late to their bedtime, but it was worth it. The reason behind the picture (more on facebook) is to share with Lisa's mom. I must take more pictures of the kids for her. After all they don't live that close anymore and need to be linked as much as they can!

From Blogger Pictures

The terror alert in the house has been at an orange. Stress wise that is. So much stress goes alone with this flood. Has anyone else been flooded before? Who do you call afterwords? What do you do after the new spring has flooded it's last flood and is done, or rather, how do you stop this natural accurance? Can you even stop something like this?

Keep me posted tweeps, and I'll try to keep you entertained! Oh yes, one more sock done! Used up the last of the green.

From teaneko's tea leaves

Put A Sock In It

Do you ever have one of those days where NOTHING a person says makes you feel any better? The bills are piling up; the dog poops in the house, leaving the option for feet to step in it; random marks on the wall with unknown utensils (I swear, this one is NOT a marker or anything you write with... still unsure what it is); and to top it off you find your hands so dry from all the cleaner you use that when you go to be intimate with your other half they actually flinch. Yup. Sandpaper hands. I feel like the maid.

But this maid has a sock in her hands! Yup, sock 4 is complete!

From mobile

How awesome dose it look? Sweet, no? It's so awesome my awesome meter broke!!!

Growing out my nails... rather trying. Painting them helps me not cut them. I think it's because I don't see the white parts so I don't think to cute them. Theory? I think so.

Baby Steps

It's been 11 days since my last post. You may be wondering if I have been knitting so much that my fingers are unable to type up a blog, the answer: no.

From mobile

One baby sock. One. It's cute right? Finished it when Shay and her fiance Chris came to visit two days ago. I'm praying to the gods that we can live closer so we can be closer friends again.

Aside from that I've been dealing with stupid headaches and a stupid migraine.

Puffs

From mobile

My attempt at a pastry... a 'smore with peanut butter turnover thing I found on the internet... not a big hit, not a bad hit, but not a good one either. I have to say I love the lady's site though! She's awesome. And they look pretty! Thinking next time if I substitute the peanut butter with marshmallows it would turn out perfect!

As for myself. My head still isn't 100%, but it sure as hell beats the leg hurting. To make things clear, I have been dealing with headaches lately, not migraines. I got a migraine the other day, but daily headaches, not daily migraines. Like weekly migraines.

We're all good on this end of the internet! Hope you're well on your end!

Hello March

March has started off rather well. Knitting a few baby socks! Not a one will be the same since baby socks seem to always get lost... or so I'm told. One of my dearest friends is having a baby! She and her hubby are expecting around my birthday (how cool!) so I am bound determined to knit them baby socks.

Isn't this exciting?

Internet Junkyard #14

Expanding Frosting: When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar/calories per serving.

Reheating refrigerated bread: To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

Newspaper weeds away: Start putting in your plants; work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

Broken Glass: Use a dry cotton ball to pick up little broken glass pieces of glass- the fibers catch ones you can't see!

No More Mosquitoes: Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

Squirrel Away!To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

Flexible vacuum:To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gif wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Reducing Static Cling: Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and - voila -static is gone.

Measuring Cups: Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill it with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry the cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Foggy Windshield? Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

Reopening envelope: If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Voila! It unseals easily.

Conditioner: Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair...

Goodbye Fruit Flies To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2" with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid, mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

Get Rid of Ants: Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it "home," & can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so; esp. if it rains, but it works & you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

Take baby powder to the beach: Keep a small bottle of baby powder in your beach bag. When your ready to leave the beach sprinkle yourself and kids with the powder and the sand will slide right off your skin.

Pass on these great tips to your friends!

Pretty Hat

Finished a hat! Woots! Isn't it pretty? Really like the yarn, so pretty!  Cheep stuff but soft and fun to look at.

From mobile

See the pretty nail polish? Yup, I'm trying to be pretty myself. Nail polish here I come! And more makeup. Putting on more makeup (not quantity, just more often). Anyone of tips? On nail care stuff or make up stuff? Open for ideas here.

Also, keep in mind that Cadbury Eggs are being sold in stores. That is all.

Knitted Dinners

I am kicking dinner's ass! HA!!! With help of course, I am coming up with dinner ideas that even make me wonder were they come from! One night was scalloped potatoes with leftover ham from another night mixed in... mom's idea and she told me how to do it. Jayme and Lauren pealed the potatoes, Lauren helped with the ham as well. Another successful night was leftover night where I made liver and onions for dad (he wont eat left overs). Another success!

Knitting up a storm.... kind of. I've been trying to knit a lot, but rather not progressing along. I've been working on a hat and a scarf, nothing special at all. My fingers have been busy with it though! Between knitting and cooking... what else have I been doing anyways? ...really, what have I been doing?

Oh yeah, did I mention I got a super short, super cute haircut?

Totally love it.

Pillow Talking About Dinners

Finished my pillow! Yah! Knitted the front of it with this really pretty yarn, forgot where I got it. Either way, the fabric was sewn up then the knitted peice was sewed/stitched on after it was stuffed. Sadly the kids "played" with the stuffing, so there was very little left, and I had to search for the scraps around their "play area".

And the dinners... try that French's Crunchy Onion Chicken you see on the commercials. So good that it's been requested again. You all know the track record I have with cooking chicken too! Can't cook it at all.

Yesterday's dinner was my homemade lasagna. Big success! I have to say, all these good things are really helping with my self-esteem. Kinda. Mostly.

Attempted Decisions

The girls day was attempted but headaches get in the way far too much.

Yup. Canceled. Will attempt again tomorrow.

I think painting my own nails and watching more movies might solve the issue, or cause more headaches... only one way to find out. But knitting is fun too, causes headaches as well... then there's Sims...

Decisions... decisions...

Not Just Yet

Can't wait for the time with my soul sister. Yup, got the CD today. :) Monday will be our day. I'm excited!

I'm getting a taste of what it's like to be a mom... just a taste, a very small taste, and I have to say I'm not liking it. Between the meals, kids, household, health, and amazing lack of knitting being done, I'm surprised I'm still standing. How do mothers do this? When they pop out the kid do they just have this hormone permanently release, causing them to be astounding?

No pictures of the roses, meals, or my current knitting projects, not just yet anyways.

Another Go

After making pretty damn good fajitas last night for dinner (mom's idea, my cooking), I have decided to give my chicken/rice/casserole dish-thing another go. I'll probably alter the recipe a LOT and really get annoyed with it and end up crying. As long as I give it a try I should feel better about last time and finally be able to let it go.

Migraine continues to linger, causing much grief to everyone in the household sadly.

Good news though! Step-sister has finally moved out. Wish she wanted to get help and actually do what she promised and said about turning her life around, but she didn't and was a bitch, disrespectful, thief, dangerous, greedy, bitchy, gross, and above all a disappointment. I am sorry to say things turned out the way they did, but she is out of the house.

Migraine

Seriously? Seriously?! Stilll?

Hamburger Helper and Chair

Since my head has been a bitch and wont leave me alone, mom has been a saint. Not only have she and Neil been looking after the kids while I take it easy, she also has been making dinners.

Not tonight.

Tonight was my night. I didn't know till 2:03pm that I was to do dinner, and seeings how I've had this damn head be a bitch all day I did the only thing I could think of. Like a heavenly light, the pantry lite up when I flipped the switch and angels sung (damn TV). Lo and behold there it was, Cheesy Backed Potato Hamburger Helper. Frozen broccoli from the freezer (coupons from the other day, knew getting them would come in handy!). And you have a meal to please a family.

Given that it was a success, give me my props, I have only one thing on the brain now, where can I find a good computer chair? I suffer from migraines and am thinking that a good computer chair may be a good weapon ageist(sp?) it in this war.

I'm Not Ignoring You, I Swear!

Honestly I'm not. Migraine was kicking my ass so doing dinner stuff and basic functions was taking all my energy up. (finally had to go in and get a shot, second visit is tomorrow)

Third Dinner was meatloaf (rather good I thought). Fourth Dinner was pizza! We didn't time the cooking between the pizzas right so there was a rather long waiting period, but we were all fed well. Fifth dinner was my mom's creation of mixed leftover veggies (some from the other nights and some from partially used frozen bags in freezers), and some baked chicken. So it was good.

Tonight I have NO idea what mom is cooking, but she's doing the dirty work. I get to watch the kids and do the dishes... but I'm going to TRY and tackle some of a C.E. today. Headache, but I'm going to try non-the-less.

Knitted dad in CA a hat, and completely winged it... I think it doesn't look that great but it's really warm and thick.

From mobile

The Second Dinner

The second dinner I have made since Dave has gone down to CA to go to school is a complete failure.

I made my "chicken bake thing", it's more like a cassarole. I took boneless, skinless chicken breast and fried it ever so slightly in a pan. While that was going on I made some white rice, combined it (cooked) with three cans cream-o'-mushroom soup, about 1/2 cup milk, and nearly 1lb of frozen mixed veggies.

I coated the cassarole dish with foil (easy clean up) lared the bottom with a layer of the rice mix, layed the chicken on top of that (don't overlap) then poured the rest of the rice mix on to it.

Cover with foil, cook at 400 degrees for at least 1 hour. I did mine at 45 minutes, the recipe says so, and while the chicken looked cooked, it was just barley cooked. They took the chicken out and cooked it longer in the microwave. Please make sure yours is cooked.

The kids ate it but didn't like it, parent's ate it but you could tell they didn't like it. Megan even said "Mommy, this is gross." So I'm the only one that liked it (aside from the chicken part, I just like the rice mix, don't know why but I do).

I hate chicken. I blame this whole disaster on the migraine fairy. Her and Drew's Cancer.

The First Dinner

Already the obstacles have started! See, I came home, with the head hurting and all that jazz and didn't think of dinner till about 1pm. So I made a mad rush to the pantry where I found hamburger helper (family favorite). Thinking I could get mom to stop by the store on her way home from work to get non-frozen ground beef wouldn't be an issue. Sadly, it didn't work that way, she forgot to call me back after her meeting and came home. Finding non-frozen ground beef in this house is like finding a specific sock from the kids sock drawer; while not impossible, it is highly improbable.

We did find a 3lb tube of ground beef tucked away in the freezer, god only knows when we got that thing, but it's still good. It takes a few more minutes in the microwave to thaw after a few minutes in near-boiling hot water from our hot water tap thingy.

Overall a very good success! The kids ate, the adults ate, the pets ate. The corn and hamburger helper are both gone! No leftovers! Talk about a boost to my self-esteem!

Everything turned out pretty damn good if I say so myself.

Dinners

Coming on the 11th my brother will be leaving to go to school down in California. Now while this is a great opportunity for him, it means I will be left with a great responsibility of cooking for the family... and taking care of the kids more so then I'm doing now.

I'm thinking of documenting dinners each night on this blog to show the adventures of cooking for a BIG family. Since I haven't cooked for big families before this will be a rather big deal. Recipes, budget, and of course, reactions to the meals themselves. I have a couple of ideas, like Friday Night Pizza Night (used to do that with my other dad, the one in CA who's house burnt down). Another is having Mix-It-Up Monday's where a kid gets to choose what they want (i.e. grilled cheese with tomato soup, or sloppy joes).

Any ideas are welcome. Advice on how to handle meals for kids is especially needed. Please help!

40 Inches Gone

From mobile

I started this "last year" and decided that the 40 inches wasn't worth it! Plus it's soft and blue, perfect for my dad's hat. As you know his house burned down and lost everything, so I'm on a quest to knit him some socks, scarfs, and some awesome hats!

Maybe I can make a hat that will get rid of this migraine! What a way to start off this new year.

New Years Resolution Projects

It's been fun. To commemorate the past, here are all the projects I have completed:

No. 001 Scarf

No. 002 Toothbrush Braclet

No. 003 Bunny Pillow

No. 004 Scarf

No.005 Bunny Pillow

No. 006, 007, 008, 009 Gun, Heart, Heart, and Cat head Pillow

No. 010 Bag

No. 011 Bag

No. 012 Chocolate Dipped Brownie

No. 013 Tagged Teabags

No. 014 Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie

No. 015 Jello Mold

No. 016 Scarf

No. 017 there is no picture, but there was a project, Megan's jeans needed fixing!

No. 018 a pair of underwear that needed hemming.

No. 019 Socks!

No. 020 Lauren's Pink wristwarmers.

No. 021 Megan's Jacket (mending)

No. 022, 023, 024, 025, 026, 027 Straw Curtines

No. 028 Scarf

No. 029 Scarf

No. 030 Same Pattern as #29 but different colors

No. 031, 032 Wristwarmers

No. 033, 034 Wristwarmers

No. 035, 036 Toothbrush Braclets

No. 037, 038 Wristwarmers

No. 039 Purse

No. 040, 041, 042 Toothbrush Braclets

No. 043, 044 Wristwarmers

No. 045, 046 Wristwarmers

No. 047 a mini "calico" sweater from the left-over yarn from dad's calico socks.
No. 048, 049 Wristwarmers

No. 050 Colorful Cupcakes

No. 051 Bunny Plushie

No. 052 Teddy Plushie

No. 053 Your Favorite Enemies (rock band) pillow

No. 054 Swirl cookies!

No. 055 a pink, brown, white, green scarf.

No. 056 (part one of 66)

No. 057 Wristwarmers

No. 058 Attempted washcloth

No. 059 Jenny's black "arm chaps"

No. 060 Scarf

No. 061 Scarf

No. 062 Banana Bread

No. 063 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

No. 064 Dad's Hat

No. 065 Apple (with leaf cut-out crust!), 2 pumpkin pies, and a pecan with a cream-cheese crust!

No. 066 (see 56)

No. 067 Mini Cheesecakes

No. 068 Christmas Cookies, Megan decorated!

No. 069 Mini Sweater (left over sock yarn)

No. 070 Yellow Fuzzy Barbie Sweater

AHH! Looking back on those projects, it seems that I am very un-creative! I did make it 70 tho... that is something that makes me happy!!!

It's been fun, and hope this next year is better!