MamaMoo13's Xanga

Some Days are Stones....

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:45:06 GMT

Not such a great week in our household. My husband was laid off from his job this week and we weren't expecting that. In the meantime, we are thankful that I am still employed and that we will be able to pick up health insurance from my job. We seem to be in better shape this time than when I lost my job 8 years ago. We weathered that one, so I hope we do the same this time.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sookie Stackhouse Novels

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:45:22 GMT

If you haven't read any of the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris and you like comedic fantasies, you should give one a try. I am currently on the seventh SS book: All Together Dead. I like Ms. Harris' writing so much I purchased one of her Harper Connelly mysteries and one of her Lily Bard mysteries.

I, for one, will be very glad when the Superbowl is over. Why?? you might ask? Well, since we live in Tampa, the last 2 weeks driving around our city has been horrendous. I wish visitors to the area would remember that real people live here too. There are some really rude ones out there this year. Anyway.... I will be glad to have the city back to ourselves after all the hoopla dies down.

It's also been two years today since my Mom passed away. I miss you Mom. <3

Reading, Etc....

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:54:04 GMT

I have been reading everyone's blogs and the theme this year seems to be reading. I LOVE to read!! I am probably the most voracious reader in my house. I notice that people are setting goals for themselves of the number of books to read for 2009. I am not quite sure what goal to set, but I do know that I read a lot. Therefore, I have started a listing on the LHS of my blog of the books I have finished reading for 2009 and will add to it. So far, I have finished 5 books. I wonder if there is a widget out there that lets you enter in the number of pages read for the year, like the Knit-o-Meter. I will have to do some searching.

I must tell you that I am reading a delightful series right now that the HBO show "True Blood" has been modelled after. The books are by Charlaine Harris and the story plot basically has to do with a human/vampire relationship. They are not bloody/gory books, but rather light-hearted, romantic, supernatural-packed reading. If you like that type of book, give them a try.

I have also started the Monthly Dishcloth KAL - January Mid-Month cloth. I am loving the colorway and it seems to be a sampler cloth. My idea is that I will have 24 cloths at the end of the year and I will wrap them up with fancy soap and tie with a ribbon and gift them to friends and co-workers. Since I work with 3 males, I hope there will be something suitable for them AND I will have to remember to make three of the cloths in guy colors.

Two More Finished Objects

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:32:29 GMT

More finished objects - woo hoo!!

First off, I had joined the Yahoo Groups Monthly Dishcloth KAL a little over two years ago. I made a number of their cloths and gifted them to my Mom the Christmas before she died. Unfortunately, my step-loser (definition of a step-father who absconds with what your mother left you in her trust) did not see fit to give them back to me and I didn't feel really good about dishcloths for a while. But the last couple of months of 2008 saw me making some changes and getting on with the healing process. Sooooo, I decided to participate for real this year in the 2009 KAL and here is the first cloth for January - Ice-Skate:

and my second finished project is a baby blanket I made in the round ripple pattern with an extra-added border. This is the beginning photo for Ravelry, but you get the idea:

I just LOVE the color of this yarn. I bought it at JoAnn's, but I cannot find any other skeins of it. The colorway is very striking in person.

Tonight's project: Rainbow Bear

First FO of 2009!!!!

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 14:59:36 GMT

Woo-hoo! Not bad - my first finished object of 2009. It really was supposed to be my last FO of 2008, but shhhh, don't tell. What is even better news is that I actually finished the baby blanket MONTHS before the baby is even due. I am not sure if I have ever done that before. Here is a pic for posterity:

Lots of people have been writing about resolutions. I have given mine some thought and here it goes:

1. I want to fully research and document my Native American heritage. Not for any particular reason except that it fascinates me. I wasn't allowed to really discuss it around my mother as she was brought up in a time when it was a no-no to be a "half-breed" and she was counselled by her relatives not to speak of it. But for me, it has always been a link to a reason why I am different than most of my family and why I love to do my "crafts".

2. I want to successfully get my son graduated and off to college. I am not worried about the graduating part, just the letting go part in August. Wish me luck!!

3. I want to try to finish up some of my already started projects and get that list decreasing and in the finished projects category.

I think that is enough - let's see how I do. I will try to blog more here and let you know how I am doing. BTW, if any of you belong to Ravelry, please link to me as a friend. My Ravelry ID is: MamaMoo13.

2008 Finished Projects

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 18:38:04 GMT

As promised, a mosaic of all of my finished projects for 2008:

1. Parker's Ooh-La-La-Tam,2. Monkey Socks, 3. Lengthen Your Sleeve Lace, 4. Knights Beanie #1, 5. Dragon Scarf, 6. Knights Beanie #2, 7. Wishbone Socks, 8. Mr. Turquoise Man, 9. Autumn Francie Socks, 10. Wiggle Socks, 11. Bubby Bear, 12. Ava-Fante!, 13. Little Emma and Baby Sister, 14. Fluke Socks, 15. Alberto the Cat, 16. Raspberry Ripple Afghan, 17. Cranberry-Blue Ripple Afghan, 18. Watermelon Clogs - pre-felted, 19. Watermelon Clogs, 20. River Forest Francie Sock Sole, 21. Aunt B's Slippers, 22. Lucha Libre Ski Mask, 23. Kali's Meret, 24. Chanukah Slippers, 25. River Forest Francie Sock.

Time to clear my Finished Objects column and start over for 2009.

YIKES!

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 12:25:24 GMT

Has it really been 4 months + since I have blogged??? Unbelievable - that is the life of a teacher. I am going to blame it on being extremely busy with 3 math preps for 6 classes a day AND teaching more than 1 level of class during each period. That will really keep you on your toes! Next year, I have been told, I will have four preps.

The holidays have been truly wonderful to us - everyone got what they wished for and then some. My husband gifted me with a beautiful custom-made celtic rosary necklace. A picture will follow soon. I am also in the process of compiling my annual FOs list. Stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, I have my husband home on vacation for a wonderous 10 days - it has been many moons since that happened! Yesterday, he and I and the kids piled into the car and went looking at the sales. I found some new school clothes for me at Bealls and some goodies at a yarn store I only get to a couple of times a year, dd got a jacket and tote bag from Victoria Secret's PINK line and ds got a new cowboy belt. (We also found out that the prong on the buckle we purchased him last summer isn't long enough to stay shut on the new belt - bummer!) Basically, dh got tired and a lighter wallet! (and I think he realizes why I am sooooo tired when I get home from the shopping excursions with dd.)

Dd got a cell phone for Christmas and I am soooo glad we got the unlimited texting! Now I know how kids run up a $2000 bill! She is definitely having fun texting her friends - one is in Utah right now skiing; another is in GA for the break. Let's just hope she can stick to her "cell phone rules" when we go back to school! Time will tell.

I will try to blog more frequently - not making any big promises there! If I am unable to, you will hear from me again in April (Spring Break!).

I Wanna be a......

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:18:53 GMT

This was taken from Rox's blog. It makes fun reading.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) - Peanut Kia

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) - Moose Tracks Pfeffernusse
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) - Skon
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) - Green Alpaca
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) -Anita Knoxville
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) -Konsi
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) -The Purple Ice Tea
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) - Samuel George.
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) - Lavender Butterfinger
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) - Earlene Hugh
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) - Strand Seattle
12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) - Fall Carnation
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) - Watermelon Shoesy
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) - Waffle Lilac
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) -The Knitting Snow Tour

Finished Watermelon Clogs

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:13:12 GMT

I finished my first pair of felted clogs last night from Bev Galeskas Fiber Trends Pattern.

Pros: Easy knit, wide range of sizes, ability to make for a narrow or wide foot.

Cons: I don't like the bumper part of the pattern; I need to get better at felting.

Anyhoo -- dd is mighty happy with them. She told me that "they are very quiet". I guess that means she can sneak up on people????

A couple of pics of the said clogs, before and after:

Dd's foot by the clog pre-felting. My dh asked if they were mittens!?!

After felting to a Ladies Size 7 (with an extra paw in the picture).

Side view - dd loves them!!

I have already cast-on for my ds's black and blue clogs - he wears a size 11 Mens and I am interested in seeing how big they are pre-felting!

What Type of Hand Gesture Am I?

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:05:03 GMT

You Are an "A-OK"

Your life philosophy can be summed up as, "Whatever will be, will be."
Your greatest wish is to live each day a little better than the next.

You are naturally calm and stable. Some people would call you a rock.
You feel one with the world. You are a spiritual person, though no one who knows you would guess it.