You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December, 2008.
Today is the last day of 2008.
Did you accomplish all that you had planned for ‘08? Are you proud of who you’ve become? Did you find what you were looking for? What did you do? Where did you go? Who did you touch/move/encourage/put down/uplift? Was it a good year for you?
Looking back, I’ve done a lot. I knitted a butt load of things, mostly for others. I’m proud of that. We went to Missouri, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Spartanburg. We watched our kids play football and have amazing seasons. I learned how to sew, and still prefer my knitting. It has been a good year here in the south.
I hope 2009 will be even better. We are planning another trip to the west for a family reunion. My best friend, who I have known for 28 years, will be getting married in August. I’m praying I will be able to make it home (Samoa) for that. Ty will be 15, Bubba 9, Nacho 5 (Kindergarten!), and Lai 3. They are not so little anymore. I plan to enjoy every second I have with them. Savor their youth.
What are your plans?
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
-L
Happy Birthday MOM!
That’s her on the far left. Isn’t she beautiful?
We will be taking her to dinner tonight. I’m actually on my way out right now. I just wanted to come by drop a few lines.
I have a ton of pictures to share.
I’ll be back soon.
I love you mom!
-L
Ha.
That’s the title of my future biography, or my inspirational memoir. Which won’t be done til… you guessed it!
But joking aside, my little Christmas break was blissfully satisfying. We did all our shopping in the last 5 days before Christmas and we did not rip each other’s heads off, because, hey, that’s reserved for family vacations, dontchaknow?
The kids made out like bandits. They are happy. Which makes DH and I so relieved.
Most of Christmas day was spent sleeping in. You see, my little family joined my mom and brother at midnight mass Christmas Eve. After mass, we ate our Christmas feast at Mom’s house and preceded to open Christmas presents there. When we got home (at 3:00 am) the kids opened the presents DH and I got them. Of course, they had to play with all of them, so we didn’t get to bed until 4:30. yeah.
We got up around noon (ok, maybe AFTER noon, so?) We hit up Mom’s again for some leftovers and headed to Spring Hill for more Christmas feasting. It was a nice gathering. Megan, her hubby and friend were there. Joleen, Sulu, Neil, and of course the hosts: Rick, Flo, and their adorable little man, Eliah. Even Flo’s neighbor, Monique came over. We overate, laughed, laughed, and laughed some more. Good times.
Friday was shopping day for DH and I. Saturday, we splurged on breakfast at Cracker Barrel. We were craving some pancakes, and, yes, it was DELICIOUS! Sunday was football/lounge around/recoop-before-going-back-to-work day.
Nacho and Lai developed some sort of ickiness Saturday and Sunday. Lai had a constant runny nose, with sneezes and all-around crabbiness. Nacho actually had a fever, sore throat, and he even threw up once. Poor babies. They are fine now. A whole day home Sunday helped them alot. Everyone else is healthy (and maybe a pound or two heavier)
All in all GREAT Christmas!
I would show you the pictures, but I have misplaced that darn memory card reader. And don’t even ask where the USB cord for my camera is. ugh.
So, pictures will have to wait until tomorrow…
Instead here’s a 4 minute commercial that cracked me up. I thought you’d like it too.
Just a little note to let you know that I have been enjoying my break from everything. Including this little spot of mine.
Enjoying family time, Christmas, food, presents, shopping, and all the good things I don’t get everyday…
I’ll be back soon to fill you in…
Until then, enjoy the rest of 2008. It’ll be over soon.
-L
For this joyous season I urge you to try one or all of these (it’s good for the soul):
- Give hugs freely.
- Drink some eggnog.
- Eat your weight in cookies.
- Enjoy the people around you, even if you don’t like them.
- Just for one day, let the kids be kids.
- Call your mom and dad.
- Call your family who are far away.
- Relax. The crap will still be there tomorrow.
- Sing Happy Birthday (because this IS the REAL reason for the season)
- Take naps.
- Drink some hot cocoa
- Make a snowman.
- Play with the kids’ toys.
- Say “I love you” as much as possible.
- Be merry.
Have a wonderful Christmas, ya’ll.
-L
These past few days have been full of activity I don’t even know where to start.
First, let me share with you the program I feel so blessed to have been a part of. The local police dept. holds an annual Christmas program where each officer can turn in names of families/individuals on an application. If chosen this family will receive a toy package (for kids) or a food basket (for the elderly and disabled). For the last three days I was with this amazing group putting together baskets for kids and helping with whatever they needed.
The filling of the packages is only a small part of what this group does for the needy families in our city.
Officers also donate their time Christmas Eve morning to deliver these packages all around the county. It’s really a wonderful, wonderful program.
(click to enlarge)
The view from the entrance.
Baskets ready for delivery.
Shelves of toys.
A closer look at a section of toys.
Most of the toys are donated by local businesses: Walgreens, Target, Dollar General (to name a few). A benefit was also held in October where thousands of dollars were donated to help fund this program. Most of the people who help are donating their time and energy.
Basketballs
Bicycles.
The food baskets:
In neat lines like a little army of baskets.
Food to be distributed.
A partially filled basket.
These will be filled with enough food to feed a family of four for 2 weeks. They will be delivered in the same manner as the toy baskets. By police officers, in patrol vehicles, on Christmas Eve morning.
It was a very humbling experience for me.
There were 6-10 people helping out when I was there. Each of us would grab an application from the stack and we would fill a box with toys according to what was on the application. The sheet held all the information for each family like how many kids, the ages, the sexes, and why the officer feels this family deserves a package. Some of the ones I read were heartbreaking. So much so that I packed each box I filled with more than what was instructed. There was a huge stack of applications. In the end, 160+ families will receive a box full of toys.
I don’t need to tell you how bad things are right now. You see it on the news and hear it on the radio. So, please, on this holiday season, cherish what you have, give to those who are less fortunate, and pray for God’s guidance we make things better for the future of our children.
I don’t know how to explain all the feelings I have. I just know that my heart is bursting and that I received more from this experience than all the families who will be getting a package this year.
If you are able to participate in or start a program like this, I encourage you to do so. I believe this is why we are here and why we have what we receive. So we can give to those who don’t. So go out there and do. Do for others. Do for Him.
Have a blessed week.
Merry Christmas.
-L
Bubba (my 8 yo) brought his artwork home from school last Friday. I’d like to think this gift of art was from my side of the DNA pool. They are so precious and so amazingly good. I may be a little biased.
He said that this is the sun. With blue flames.
Ty likes this one.
I don’t know if this is supposed to be him or Santa.
I really like this one.
This one’s my favorite. It has YARN! He was so proud. He said, “I weaved this!”
A mask
Look at him beam with pride. Just like me as I look at this now. I am so very proud.
-L
What a weekend!
It was a good one:
A solo trip to the yarn shop that will be closing Dec. 23rd. They were clearing their stock and even selling shelves and all the furniture. I made out with some nice stuff. No, no pictures of that yet.
DH went out with his friends after work Saturday morning and came home around 4:00. He decided to come with me to Chris‘ house (even though I warned him that he’ll be the only adult male and that we will be knitting). Lai and Bubba stayed with my mom while Ty and Nacho came with us. I played with Chris’ new DIY swift. I give you huge props for the mad-crafting-pipefitting-skills, Chris!
The swift in action.
Chris cranking her new ball winder. Ain’t she purty?
These:
Turned into these:
Ummm. Yarn cakes.
Kris was there, too. Watching us getting giddy over the yarn balls. hehe. Chris and Kris were trying to recruit my DH into the dark side by pressuring him into knitting with us. I don’t know if him picking up the craft would be a good or bad thing. Let’s weigh it out shall we:
Good:
1. We could knit together, a new level of “quality time”.
2. I could get more projects done with an extra set of hands.
3. He would understand the lingo, the passion/obsession, and the need to enhance the stash.
4. He could knit his own hats, socks, and whatever else he wants for himself. (He is a big guy, and big guys’ stuff eats up more yarn and time)
5. He would help enhance the stash and more eagerly give up funds for the stash.
6. He would appreciate the time, thought, and work it takes to knit something more than he does now.
7.
Bad:
1. I would have to share my yarn.
2. I would have to share my yarn.
3. I would have to share my yarn.
4. Getting the picture?
No, but seriously, I can’t see the DH knitting. I know it seems sexist to think that he would look silly with 2 little pointy sticks and some yarn, but, really, COME ON! Ok, maybe he would look adorable. But, I know him and he is adamant that it is not for him. I can also vouch for the fact that this man has not a crafty bone in his body. He is ALL sports, ALL the time. But, that’s ok with me. Really. He has his football/basketball, and I have my yarn. All is well.
Anyway, our evening with Chris, Kris, and their kids was wonderful. We stayed so long that DH, Ty, and Nacho fell asleep waiting for me. I was having so much fun with Chris. THANKS Chris! We should do that again soon.
Last night was Ty’s football banquet.
Here are some pics:
My handsome man-child.
Ty and his friends at their table next to ours.
Ty with his fellow Freshman team. Excuse the red-eye, he was clear across the room and I had to zoom my lens to the max to get this shot.
Caleb and Ty.
A blurry shot of Ty and Keenan.
Ty and Brennan.
Ty and his posse. Keenan, Josh, and Kaseem.
Well, that’s all. I have some pics of Bubba’s artwork to share. It’s really quite good.
Later!
-L
Back, that is.
This is me and Glenn (my older brother). We won 3rd place in this Break-dancing competition back in ‘84. We are getting our trophy here, I’m in red. Check out the leggings. What a dork! Ok, this is the kind of stuff you blackmail people with, so I’m just gonna put it out there for your enjoyment. Go ahead, make fun of me. I might have to bust out my Michael Jackson Thriller Jacket (yes, that’s what I’m wearing), and thrill you. Ha!
Also, because I’d like you to be thoroughly convinced that I am a dork, I did the backspin while my brother did the worm and headspin in the routine that won us the coveted 3rd place. And if I try hard enough, I can probably still do the backspin. Wanna try with me?
Ok, so, the inlaws cancelled on us. New plan! DH will be hanging out with some friends from work tomorrow, and I will be going downtown with my train friends for a yarn excursion. Yeah, I need more yarn like I need a hole in my head.
The kids will have my undivided attention tonight and Sunday. Saturday’s mine and DH’s.
Have a great weekend.
-L
I was going to go to knit night tonight, but the white stuff is really coming down. The roads are covered in a layer of slush. I don’t want to be stuck at the knit shop (even though being stuck in a place where there are heaps of yarn would be a dream come true), or worse yet, get into a wreck with the nonsnowdrivin’ locals, me included…
So I will be pretending to be at knit night here at home all snug in my jammies. I hope this stuff clears by tomorrow.
Well, I survived 2 days of conference. I only fell asleep twice! I will tell you that the classes were not boring, but the room was warm and the chair was comfy, and combine that with a full stomach, it was very VERY hard to stay awake. Yeah.
Tomorrow Mom and Dad (Galu and Savala) will be here from Missouri. They will be staying until Monday, and then off to Seattle. We will be hanging out and spending as much quality time with them as possible. With their move across the country, visits with them will be very limited…
I’m off to knit now.
Good night.
-L
A look at what’s inside my knitting bag. Six projects on the needles. Since this was taken, I have added 2 more. This is not counting the 3 baskets on top of the yarn shelves with projects waiting to be finished! I think I need an intervention.
Nah.
Be careful out there.
This week’s a doozy.
DH will be working 12 hour shifts this week. I have training in Madison Wednesday and Thursday. Bubba has his Christmas Coffee at school which I am sad that I have to miss 
Tyler’s football banquet is this weekend. My in-laws will be visiting for 3 days. I have a ton of work things to do… Bleh.
Anyway, here are the rest of the pics I promised.
Isn’t she beautiful?
This is what Gordo found at Goodwill this past weekend. Actually he picked this one out:
I was perusing the children’s clothing when Gordo brought me this guy. He was was so excited on his find and told me about the female painting that was there, but could only afford one. I was curious about the female so he showed it to me and I loved it. They have matching frames leading us to think they were a pair, brother and sister so-to-speak. So I bought the sister and he brought the brother. Corny, I know.
Before now, the kitchen wall held one lonely painting I bought at Ross 2 years ago. It’s a pretty oil painting of a flower. It’s a nice painting, but did not look great on that wall. So Gords and I spent some time Saturday putting these babies up and here’s what we did:
The artist who did these signed her name at the bottom right. I did some research online and found her here. Her name is Barbara Weber. I don’t know if she is still alive, but according to the website, which was designed by her husband, she lives in California. I also found a site where people who own her paintings, particularly these, have had them in their families for decades. Now it will be in ours…. That makes me smile.
Along with this purchase, I also bought 2 small prints of French storefronts.
They’re a little dinged on the sides, but that’s easily fixed with some nail polish. They were such a good deal (50 cents each!) I could not resist.
I also put this up:
This one is from my neighbor who had a moving sale last year. This print has been laying around waiting for me to find its place in the kitchen.
I am pretty pleased with how everything looks in my house. Now, I need to finish painting….
Here are the kids at storytime yesterday:
My friend Shannon was there with her two little boys, Aidan and Samuel. This is Aidan.
Dancing and singing.
Lai-lai was being shy, so she stayed with Daddy during sing-and-dance.
She started yawning:
Here’s Nacho with the picture he made during crafts.
It was a fun time for the kids. I just wish I could be off Mondays so I could take them to storytime every week…
Here’s the new sock I started:
Well, that’s it.
I’ll be stopping by here in the next few days to post a little. Blessings to you and yours this week
-L
It’s late here, 10:30. I just wanted to stop by to let you know what’s been going on in our world.
This past weekend we:
- Had a dance party with the kids. I have a pretty awesome playlist on Project Playlist.
- Took our monthly everything’s-half-off-at-Goodwill trip (Gordo, Mom and me). We scored on an awesome find.
- Finally put artwork up on the walls. FINALLY!
- Four loads of laundry.
- Managed to fill 2 big black trash bags destined for charity.
- Cleaned 3 bathrooms OCD-style and folded a mountain of clothes.
- DH, Ty and Bubba attended high school football championship in Murfreesboro.
- Grocery-shopped.
- Hit up Old Navy.
- Watched some movies.
- Finished knitting 2 pairs of socks and started another pair.
- Hung out with Mark, who flew in from SF for a day.
- Called in sick today.
- DH and I took Nacho and Lai to storytime at the library.
- Went with Mark to his appointment then to the airport.
And now some pics:
That’s Lai’s tutu.
Dancing with Daddy
…
I’ll be back tomorrow with the rest.
Good Night.
-L
This is my one hundredth post. Wow.
So in honor of this milestone I give you:
100 Things I love in this world:
1. Soft yarn.
2. Drive-in movies.
3. Train rides with good friends. *waving at Chris*
4. Glass jars.
5. Bay windows.
6. Slides.
7. Pictures.
8. Lip gloss.
9. Paper lanterns.
10. Jasmine rice.
11. Cellos.
12. Thrift stores.
13. Fingernail polish.
14. Beads.
15. Sparklers.
16. Kit-kat chocolate bars.
17. Fortune cookies.
18. Iced coffee.
19. Crafty gatherings.
20. Tire swings.
21. Fuzzy house shoes.
22. Pajamas.
23. Love songs.
24. Pianos.
25. Red shoes.
26. Baby toes.
27. Old-school Converse.
28. Rocky Road ice cream.
29. Remote control cars.
30. Craft stores.
31. Fuji apples.
32. Knit blogs.
33. Cantaloupes.
34. Kites.
35. Big, comfy chairs.
36. Lava lamps.
37. Hula dancing.
38. Halo-halo.
39. Labradoodles.
40. Bridges.
41. Skyscrapers.
42. Quilts.
43. Magic words like: Sale, Clearance, etc.
44. Holding hands.
45. Funny movies.
46. Spiral staircases.
47. Paintings.
48. Coffee mugs.
49. Patent leather.
50. Big bags.
51. Cloudy days.
52. Lighthouses.
53. Toe rings.
54. Blue pens.
55. Daybeds.
56. Cast-iron skillets.
57. Clam chowder.
58. Seashells.
59. Stripes.
60. Ornaments.
61. Yo-yos.
62. Hardwood floors.
63. Sailboats.
64. Scarves.
65. Springtime.
66. Slumber parties.
67. Eggs over-easy.
68. Bluebirds.
69. Flavored water.
70. Sunflower seeds.
71. Rubies.
72. Butterflies.
73. Origami.
74. Flea markets.
75. Snow boots.
76. Hot cocoa.
77. Mittens.
78. Water guns.
79. Jump ropes.
80. Ferris wheels.
81. Blowing bubbles.
82. Postcards.
83. Red doors.
84. Photography.
85. Cotton candy.
86. Fireplaces.
87. Crossword puzzles.
88. Candlelight.
89. Romantic gestures.
90. Scrabble.
91. Card games, esp. Rummy, Speed, and Memory (with my kids).
92. Riding a bicycle.
93. Popcorn.
94. Making lists.
95. Notebooks.
96. Banyan trees.
97. Sleeping in.
98. Silver jewelry.
99. Breakfast food.
100. My family.
-L
I found this website that takes your photo and makes it look like a hundred years old.
Like from this:
To this
And this:
Isn’t that cool?
The website is here. It’s in Japanese, but easy to figure out. Let me know if you do anything really cool there.
Oh, just one more for the heck of it:
-L
Wow, last week flew by quick.
It was so nice to be home and not working. I got a lot done, too. I got the tree up and some decorations. We typically do not put up any decorations outside. We just pimp out the inside of our house, since the kids don’t go outside because of the weather. We would rather ride around and look at other people’s decorations at Christmas time anyway.
I got some laundry done. I finished the pair of socks I started in June (a Christmas gift). I took some yarn pictures. I watched some movies. I got to shop a little on Black-Fri. I slept in that day and didn’t get out til 10am. By then, the crazy crowds were already home and all that was left was us slackers. There were still some stuff left from the sales where I went. I managed to buy a little something for each one of my kids. Nothing too exciting really. I was just enjoying some alone time, some retail therapy. At this point in my week, I was going crazy with the kids fighting and being kids. You know how it is.
As you know, Thanksgiving day was awesome here.
All in all, a great at-home vacation for me. I wish I could do that once a month. yeah, right!
Anyway, here are some pictures:
Isn’t it pretty?
I bought this months ago. It’s sock weight yarn about 400+ yards, enough for a pair of socks. But it’s too pretty for socks, right? I haven’t decided what to do with it. Any suggestions?
Here are some more pics from our photo shoot Thursday:
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Bubba cracks me up.
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I have pictures of my yarn stash to share, but I’ll save that for another day. Christmas is around the corner, folks. We will be home for the holidays. My in-laws will be visiting us for a couple of days this month (Hi Mom!). That will be a nice treat for us.
I’ll be posting regularly. Hopefully, I’ll have interesting things to tell you, but maybe not.
Thanks for coming by here and checking on us.
-L
