You are currently browsing the monthly archive for August 2008.
It’s a 3-day weekend (happy dance)… I wish we had these more often.
This morning, Lloyda, Nate and Lai took the train with me. We woke them up early, got them ready and made it to the train stop at enough time to make introductions to my train friends (who also knit). As the train pulled up, Nate and Lai had a mixture of fear and awe on their faces. They stepped up the stairs to the second level of the train, walked to the back of the train, sat to face the window and watched as the train choo-chooed down to the tracks to Riverfront Park. Most of the train passengers were gushy with adoration at these two little people on the morning commute. It is a wonderful surprise to see little people where grown ups abound. Needless to say the train cab we were in were all smiles watching my little guys stare in innocent curiousity at everything and everyone around them. Sure beats the grumpy-caffeinated faces we usually see! Here are some pics of our morning adventure.
*Last photo courtesy of Sara. THANKS SARA!
Here in Nashville we have a “Take your kid to work” day. It isn’t today, but I think that is a brilliant idea. I don’t know exactly what day that falls on, but today was mine… Have a great 3 day weekend!
Here’s my Friday quote:
We could never have loved the earth so well if we had had no childhood in it . . .
- George Eliot
-L
Gordon,
Today you celebrate 32 years of life, as a son, a friend, and my little brother. My only little brother. Here’s to another year of health, happiness and most of all love. You have made big sisterhood a joy for me. I am proud to call you little brother.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
People at work suck. Well, just two. I need a break from this place. Maybe I need a new job. This 3-day weekend this week has come at the perfect time. I really, REALLY need it. I don’t usually stress out about work, but dude, these people know how to push those buttons. Argh!
Ok
I’m done whining. Can I take a nap? It’s tiring feeling like this. How do you cope with stress?
Guess what I’ll be doing tonight?
I’m going to hide somewhere
And knit.
I’ve been working on some socks. I have one done.
They are from this pattern: http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter06/PATTmonkey.html
Monkey socks (heehee)
The last pic is closest to the actual color (pc screens vary). I used Berocco Comfort Sox in the red color. It’s actually more of a maroony color. It’s very pretty and oh-so-soft.
I also have another one on the needles. Another pair of Fixation socks. This ones pooling bad. I don’t know yet if I like it, but I will not rip it. I am too far along on them….
Anyway.
Nacho learned a couple of memory verses this week. Psalms 23:1 and John 1:1. Those were Tyler and Bubba’s first memory verses too. I’ll try to remember to record it on my camera. I haven’t figured out how to upload video to wordpress. If anyone knows, please shoot me an email or just leave it in the comments. i would greatly appreciate it.
It’s hump day. Almost the weekend. Hurry.
L
I write blog posts in my head a lot, but when it comes time to type one, umm. Blank. Nothin. Today is no exception. So I will grant you a photo. surprise surprise.
This isn’t the most recent pic of the kids, but it’s a good one.
This past weekend wasn’t all that exciting, with the exception of the loss to Mt. Juliet. We hung out at home and watched a movie and let the kids dance (a favorite pastime at our house).
Saturday we got up late (9:00) and I made breakfast (pancakes, eggs, and bacon). After bfast, we got the kids ready for the anticipated first official game of the season against the rival team Mt. Juliet. Armed with an umbrella and a cooler we braved the heat to watch our kids go head to head in full football battle. Bubba was not playing to the best of his abilities and it was showing. I don’t know if he was hot, tired, sick or just plain lazy, but DH seems to think that his weight has something to do with it along with laziness. You see, the boy has picked up over 30 pounds since last season. Granted he DID grow taller, his clothes that were loose when school got out in May are now very snug around the middle. I have also noticed the increase in the amount of times he asks to eat. I know he is having a growth spurt, just like Ty did at that age, but man, this guy is THICK! I can pick him out of the line-up of football-pad clad boys because of the sheer size of his legs. They are Samoan legs. He doesn’t have that cellulose appearance of fat anywhere on his body, it’s just solid mass. He is about 90 pounds right now, if he gains any weight, he will have to be a lineman (yes, there’s a weight limit). I am sure this guy will be the biggest of my kids when they reach their adult sizes. Anyway, the game. It was tied at the end of the game (6-6) so we went into overtime. They (Mt. Juliet) scored a TD and extra point and when it was our turn, we couldn’t get it in. Needless to say, it was disappointing. There were other factors that I will not disclose here because I am not a football expert and will probably jack up explaining the terms and whatnot, but suffice it to say, our boys should have won. I will leave it at that. The rest of Saturday was a blur, I guess we ate and I cleaned a little. yadayada.
Sunday we rose late again (9:00) gave LB (little brother) a buzz cut. He’s looking younger and handsomer if I do say so myself (ahem)… Gave LS (little sister) a cut too. Beautiful. Made a breakfast casserole (no pics), but it’s very easy to make. I layer tater tots, cooked ground sausage, scrambled eggs, and cheese in a baking dish and bake at 300 for 1 hour. Result: DELICIOUS! We eat it topped with ketchup or hot sauce and toast and breakfast beverage of choice. Yum-o.
Then, this is where we had our dance-off. Bubba starts off with his break-dancing/freeze-flipping/belly-rolling number, followed by Nacho’s flips and “jabbawokeez” crotch-grabbing move, and continuing with Lai’s mosh-pit style hop/headbanging moves. It’s just a wild party at my house. These kids are so entertaining. For 2 + hours DH, Lloyda and I watched, laughed and “Do it again”-ed. Too fun.
We ended the afternoon with another attempted viewing of Lord of the Rings The Return of the King. We fell asleep again and woke up 3 hours later at 8.
I am sleepy today. I didn’t get to bed until 2 this morning. Lai was playing in the dark so I had to stay up to be sure she didn’t hurt herself or others.
Yep. That’s all. Exciting, huh?
Knitting? Yes. I am. Silly question. Socks. Again. Pics tomorrow.
Maybe.
L
All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
- Pablo Picasso
Today I will liven up the place with some of my past works of art. Well, not really art, but my crafty pieces. My knitting. I was looking through some of my discs yesterday and came across some pics of FOs (finished objects) that I have not shown anyone. If anyone is interested in any of the patterns I will gladly email it to you.
Here we go…
First up is a pinwheel sweater (free pattern on elann.com) and matching pinwheel beret (my own pattern) I made for Lai. I do not have a full picture of the sweater worn, but I have a in-progress pic below.
This is lovely Mira with her spring dress. My mom embroidered the little flower details on the front. I knitted this piece froma pattern on the Magknits site that is no longer available, but you can find the pattern on Ravelry.com (It’s free to sign up!)
This is my little brother Gordon (you can find him here: wherepianosroam.wordpress.com) modeling a lavendery scarf. You can’t really see the details in this pic, but it has POM-POMS!
This scarf is just a basic garter stitch scarf on 15 st using size 11.
Baby legwarmers. My daughter loves wearing skirts and dresses, so for cooler weather I have knitted her a ton of legwarmers to match all her outfits. She’s a trendy little girl.
In this pic, I knitted the hat I am wearing. the pattern is a simple k3p2 rib with some nubby acrylic yarn I found at wally-world.
Here’s a better view of the pinwheel beret. The scarf is knitted with some mohairy stuff (yarn ball had no label) from my yarn stash.
I have a pattern that I made up for this keyhole scarf ideal for toddlers on the go. You don’t have to worry about them losing their scarf because it stays on. Lai has 6 of these in a wide variety of colors, because a girl needs variety.
This is a kitty-eared hat I made up for baby girl with a matching scarf (not pictured here).
The kitty ears are so adorable I had to make one for Mira (with a matching scarf, of course).
This is a cabled beanie I whipped up for the cold TN winters. 
Side view.
Top view (It’s very hard to take a picture of the top of your own head)
My knitting buddy, Herbert modeling his Christmas beanie. Another cabled number I made up.
Side and back view.
Teal legwarmers in Cascade Fixation! I don’t know what she’s pouting about here. There’s no reason to pout when you have hand-knitted legwarmers on!
That’s some of the knitwear I have pics of. I keep a log of all the items I finish and right now I have roughly 400 completed (not counting the UFOs-unfinished objects). I have been knitting since I was pregnant with Nacho four and a half years ago. Do you think I’m obsessed? No, right? Ha. Hey, knitting is my valium, my stress relief, without it I would go insane. Really. So I tell myself.
Have a great weekend!
L
I finally brought my camera. And the reason why I have been down lately is that my “crew” left. They moved to Alaska this past Monday for better and brighter things and while I am happy for their new opportunity, I can’t help but be sad that I will not see them anymore. I really enjoyed our times together. They moved here from California 3 (?) years ago and have made many friends and many memories here, some of which are with us. I miss them.
Since making the decision to move to the other side of the world, they planned a farewell tour, staying between 3 houses to spend time with loved ones before the move. Our house was one. Below are pictures I took while they were with us (in no particular order)
Bethany, Moriah, Sose, baby Mikey, Melody, and Daniel
MJ and Lai
Me and MJ
Me and Bethany
Bethany and Mikey
Nacho and MJ
Mel and Riah
Bubba and MJ
MJ, Bubba and Sose
Ty and Dan
The guys
The kids
Sose and Ty
At the airport Monday:
Bye 
I hope they’ll decide to move back someday. I know they probably definitely maybe won’t. But I can hope…
L *sniff sniff*
I am not avoiding the blog, I just keep forgeting my camera. (I know, right! So not like me). I have been in a funk (more on that later). Anyway, I am here now and I wanted to post a link to the schedule of Ty’s games. Here: http://www.wcschools.com/mjhs/v2/sport-football.asp He is on the Freshman team. And remember that photo session they had?
Click to embiggen (Tyler’s #3) This is just the Freshman team.
On the knitting front, I have been working on some funky-colored socks. I am almost done with the baby blanket for Captain’s baby girl due next month. The clap is on hiatus. I know I said I would finish that before starting something else, but I couldn’t help myself. I have start-itis, but I am working on that….
Oh, and I found this little pic of little me from eons ago.
That’s me on the left, my momma, and my older brother Glenn.
I guess I was about 3 or 4 here. That would make my mom the same age as I am now. Isn’t she lovely? I know, I look nothing like her, but don’t I look a little like someone who just turned 4 this month?
heehee…
Tomorrow, I’ll have my camera and I will post about the reason for my funk/depression/pity-party….
I hope your day’s going well…
L
There are over 300 pictures on my blog so far. Geez, there are more pictures than there are words. Maybe I should just post pictures and not even bother with the writing. I don’t even think ya’ll are reading any of this… You just come by to see what pictures I have, don’t you? Admit it. It’s ok. I totally understand. Sometimes, I do that too. I skim past all the words and just look at pictures. Well, I know at least 2 people who are reading this. Hi Mom! Hi Dad!
It’s Friday. I think I owe you a quote.
Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.
~Oprah Winfrey
Have a great weekend!
L
Tyler on the first day of school.
It’s official, folks. I am now a mass transit commuter. Hi, Ima Dork.
Ok, so yesterday was my first day on the train, the Music City Star (even the name is cool). If you are ever in the Nashville area, I recommend taking a ride on this thing. It is so cool. Granted I have nothing to compare it to. It might be just like every other train on the planet, but I thought the design of this thing on the inside was very clever.
Anyway, yesterday I had training for work in downtown Nashville, and coincidentally, my son needed a ride to school, so I decided to take the train so my sister can take my son to school. The train stops at RIverfront Park, which is in downtown area. From the train station I walked 7 blocks (uphill) to the training building and got there in enough time to stop at the corner market and get some java and cookies. joy. Anyway, class got out early (3:00) and I walked back to the train station (downhill, yay!) and waited til the 4:20 train to leave. I knitted and even paid a utility bill over the phone while waiting. I got back to the train station by the house in record time (20 minutes, in my own car in rush hour, it would take 45-55 minutes). I got picked up and went home to change. Then we took the kids to the park to get rid of their wiggles…
It was a good day.
How is your week?
I don’t have any pics of the train or the park fun, but here’s one that’ll make you smile nonetheless…
Update on the kids:
Tyler’s taking 2 honors classes and 2 regular classes. He is adjusting well in high school. Bubba’s third grade teacher seems like a strict teacher and that is just what he needs. I need to be disciplined enough to keep to a schedule that will help him excel. We shall see. Lai is talking more and more. She sings “1,2, tie my shoe, 3,4, shut the door…”, “Itsy, bitsy spider”, and says “I love you” a lot. Nacho learned a new song yesterday “Where is brother, where is brother, here I am, here I am, how you are you today sir, very well I thank you, run away, run away” and with actions. (That, btw, is a weird song, lyric-wise). He still says his Pledge of Allegiance very well, and sings all the songs his sister sings. He’s a genius, I tell you…
DH (dear hubby) is doing well. He’s still the love of my life and my best friend. It also helps that he is FINE! hehhehehe.
There are some bumps on the road here, but we are coping and more importantly coping as a family, TOGETHER.
Thank you dear reader for making it this far in what some might consider an utter bore, unless of course you know us.
I leave you now with a picture of last years’ Christmas card.
L
It’s been hectic around here these last few days. I’ve been running around and around and around. I need a vacation. Anyway, here’s what I promised…
This picture makes me smile….
We had the gang over this past weekend. I love when they’re around! They are so photogenic and to someone like me, that is like cake, AND ICE CREAM!!
Here:
Bubba played two games this last Saturday. He scored 4 (FOUR!) touchdowns and recovered a fumble. He so rocks. He gets that from his mama (me+my horn=toot toot!)
We also got to see the Katinas in concert on Friday. They were fundraising for their missions to Samoa. They’re so talented. Here’s some pics of Friday: (click to embiggen)
I don’t feel particularly wordy today. I’m a little verklempt over the whole school registration drama we had yesterday. Maybe I’ll tell you all about it another time. Maybe not. I do not want to revisit the traumatic event that devoured my Monday. I’m beat.
Anyway.
I’ll post more tomorrow….
good night.
L
To honor the birthday of child #3 this week, Nacho, and to begin the weekend. I shall present to you a photo collage of the cutest Nacho in the whole entire universe. Get ready to be tickled-pink…
I could go on and on…
Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY my sweet little boy. May this year bring you blessings upon blessings. Mommy and Daddy love you so much.
Oh, just so you know, Nacho is not his real name. I’m not that weird. We nicknamed him that after watching this Nacho
Good movie. The kids quote it a lot.
Have a great weekend!
L
Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family:
Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
- Jane Howard.
Today is 8-8-08. My mom started a tradition with these same-number-days. It started in 1988. She had us all dress up and we made a sign saying “08-08-88″. Then we taped it to the TV and took family pictures with this sign. Ever since that day, my mom has made it a point to take pictures marking these days. Even after I got married and moved away to California, my mom would call me to remind me to ”Write a sign and take a picture today”. My husband finds this amusing and “weird”. I think it’s cute. So in 1997, on July 7th my hubby and then only child Tyler were attending a church conference at a hotel in Ontario, Calif. We got out late that night and I was running out of time. I grabbed an offering envelope and wrote out “07-07-97″ and took pictures by the hotel sign holding this little envelope. DH smiled and shook his head the whole time… I’ve managed to remember to take pictures on some of these days. I have pictures of 01-01-01 and 02-02-02. I really don’t recall doing any other year after those. Mom has been steadfast in her picture-taking-on-special-number-dates goal that it is awe-inspiring. She has had a family picture taken every year on one “special” day each year, and I find it neat. Don’t you? If only I were so faithful…
Today, I will take pictures, by golly. I will make a sign, I will tape it to the TV, I will make the kids sit infront of the TV and smile like happy-happy-joy-joy and capture it on “film”. Because, one day, they’ll look back and say “Mom was weird” (as if they don’t already). And we will look at these pictures and remember how we felt that day, what we did, etc. etc….
L
(the picture-taking-monster who will get you when you aren’t looking)
I had a little issue on Monday. I haven’t been online for a couple of days because I was in the hospital. Don’t freak out. I’m fine. It was just a little scare, but I’m good now and back to work and business as usual.
Nacho turned 4 on Monday, the 4th. I was really bummed that I had to spend his day in the hospital, but he came over for a couple of hours and hung out with me.
This past weekend was Bubba’s games. They won both games. It was AWESOME! Bubba scored 1 touchdown in each game, and recovered 3 fumbles in game 2. I’m so proud. Oh, and geez it was HOT out. The pictures below have Nacho and Lai drenched in sweat, and very unhappy about it.
Also, we received more bad news. A family we love so dearly is moving away. You know who you are. We will really miss you guys. Come back soon, ok?
Apologies for being so vague, but I’m still a newbie with this whole internets privacy stuffs.
Eh, just call me.
Ok
Now for pics:
This has GOT to be the worst possible place for an IV!
I made them move it… Much better!
Ugh, being in the hospital sucks. I look like a heroin addict with all the holes in my arms. Stinkin small veins!
I hope alls well where you are.
Later
L
Show me yours and I’ll show you mine…
Ok. Maybe I won’t. I don’t have anything exciting to show you. Just the clap (halfway done), “citrus” socks (1 down, 2nd on the heel flap), and the pink striped Fixation socks (1 down, 2nd on the short row heel). If I take any pictures, they’ll just look like piles of yarn. So, I’ll spare you the eye-sore.
This weekend is Bubba’s first game. They will be playing for a Jamboree. That’s when a team hosts games at their park/field and charge an admission fee. The team will keep that money and use it towards their team needs. Every team has a “Jamboree”. Ours will be in a few weeks. Are you ready for some football? The season always comes around so fast. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching my kids play the game and relish in their teamwork glory, but it sure gets hot out there. I feel for them in all their gear running around under the blazing, unrelenting sun. Whew, I couldn’t do it. I will warn you now that posts for the next couple of months will have some (alot) football pics. That’s ok, right. You’re here to see us, and football is where us is at!
Well, have a great weekend.
Be safe and stay hydrated.
L
“Becoming responsible adults is no longer a matter of whether children hang up their pajamas or put dirty towels in the hamper, but whether they care about themselves and others — and whether they see everyday chores as related to how we treat this planet.”
-Eda Leshan
