I’m such a sap.

I’m sitting here crying my eyes out the day before payday.  Why?  Because I actually have enough money left over to sponsor a care package for the troops.  Silly, huh? Usually, I’m sitting here in tears because there isn’t enough money to go around or just barely enough and I’m so relieved.  This time around, I have enough to  sponsor a care package.

I can watch the saddest stories on the news and not even a tear, but you put men and women in the military in front of me and I well up like a forgotten well that has been discovered.  I guess growing up in a military family, it means something totally different to me.

I know for a fact that these people go to do a job, a job they signed up for.  I also know that they truly feel like they are scorned and forgotten (thank you CNN and ABC and NBC and CBS and FOX).  They really do believe that Americans hate them because they are there.  When you are putting your life on the line everyday and all you hear on the news is anti this and anti that, it does hit home.

My father said during Vietnam that was all they heard on the news from home.  He felt very, very alone over there. My brothers have all told me the same thing, that they feel the exact same way.  I, for one, feel horribly ashamed over that.

So, in my own little ways, I have tried to make a difference.  I have always volunteered with the USO if there was one in my area.  I was with the Navy League when there was one.  I have made care packages that were the size of a medium size television box.  I baked cookies upon cookies upon cookies.  I always made enough for P to share with the guys that never got packages from home. I always donate to Toys for Tots (I haven’t missed a year since I was six, thank you!).

Now that P is retired, there is no one to make packages for anymore.  My outlet of support vanished into the fleet reserves. I stumbled across these, A Million Thanks, The USO site and Stars and Stripes.   With the new measures being taken for security,you can’t just put together a box and send it out.  This is the next best thing because all of these sites, they know what is needed and can put together the packages in bulk so that more troops are on the receiving end.

I guess because I have lost immediate family to military service, I want all the troops to know that they are appreciated and loved and that we as a nation are grateful for the job they are trying to do.  I want them all to know it before it’s too late.

I always wonder, “If you knew this was someone’s last day on earth, would you tell them thank you for the happiness they have given you or thank them for the sacrifices they have made”.

I had sent a small package to a friend of one of my brother’s.  Apparently, white chocolate chip cookies were his favorite, so I made a few extra when making one  of P’s boxes.  I tossed in a note, some magazines and just some really small stuff to round out the box.  The guy died about a week after getting my box.  I got a thank you from his mother not long after that.  My note had gone home with his personal effects and she had read it.  She thanked me for reaching out to someone I hadn’t even known.  She told me that her son had mentioned in an email that Luke’s sister had sent him cookies and he was amazed because he and I  had never met.  He was just astounded that I cared enough about a sailor to do that.

So, now you know why I’m crying because I can afford to sponsor a care package this paycheck.  I might make someone’s day a bit brighter. Now, I’m going to go blow my nose and get a new tissue.

Yes, purses need to be bigger than god

In response to Laurie over at Crazy Aunt Purl’s,  a purse can never be too big.  In fact, the bigger the better.

I actually never really carried one until I lived in New York. Wait, I actually lived there and still didn’t carry one until the “big stuck on the subway” event.  I was stuck on a subway for two hours while they tried to fix whatever it was (there was alot of that, but considering the thing had been built in the early 1900’s…it was expected).

After being trapped underground for two hours with limited lighting, nothing to do but listen to your fellow New Yorkers complain (that was a an eye opening experience), I learned to carry a huge, larger than god purse.  Why, because I needed certain items with me at all times.  Such as a:

• flashlight
• book
• water bottle
• nosh
• kleenex
• anti baterical gel
• cell phone
• mp3 player
• batteries for the flashlight
• keys
• pda
• makeup
• clothes for the gym
• wallet
• mace
• your homework (I was in college)
• your good shoes because they never saw concrete
• baggie of cat kibble that I always forgot to take out of it.

the usual stuff.  I could easily entertain and feed myself and the people sitting/standing near me for hours.  My end of the subway car was always way more happy than the other end.  Plus, there is nothing like sharing your nosh with a fellow New Yorker, it’s a bonding moment

Hence, from that experience, I still carry alot of stuff with me.  You never know when you are going to get stuck in traffic.  In my bag at this very  moment:

• knitting
• knitting pattern
•  wallet
• loose change
• keys
• sunglasses
• eye drops
• makeup
• puppy biscuits
• gum
• mints
• cell phone
• passport (you never know when you will need to make a hasty exit to stage left!)
• twenty or so business cards
• coupons
• enough receipts that I could probably paper a wall in our bathroom
• four pens
• pencil
• lead for pencil
• calculator (because I can’t add in my head)
• three pieces of ribbon
• book
• flashlight
• water bottle
• three power bars
• small notebook
• planner
• emergency sewing kit
• emery board
• pouch with knitting notions
• three bullets
• mp3 player with earbuds
• swiss army knife wanna be
• hair pins
• brush
• small can of compressed air (never know when you will need to clean out a keyboard!)

Yep think that’s it. I used to carry a map until I discovered google maps on my mobile.  Now the map lives in the car with  my emergency road kit and emergency wool blanket and sunshade.

So, my overly large handbag is not just a mere accessory, it’s my lifeline in case of an emergency.  I have been scoffed at for my purse.  Yet, anytime anyone needs anything, they ask me! Why, because I will probably have it in there and don’t mind sharing. I guess once a girl scout always a girl scout?

So Laurie, as you can clearly see, I firmly support your position on being prepared.

Cleverness starts at 10am

Ever sat down to blog but no title would come to mind?  Welcome to my morning. P is happily up in where ever it is that he is. It’s actually cool outside, so the fur babies are happy.  I need coffee and I need to seriously tidy up the living room.

Templar and I have an arrangement.  I pick up all the toys and put them in the basket and he pulls them all out of the basket.  We do this several times a day, apparently he thinks it’s great fun.  I, however, do not find it enjoyable in the least.

Not sure what today is bringing. Besides house fluffing. Knitting, of course, maybe some crocheting.  I have my “homework” that I have to work on for my crochet lessons.

As you can tell from my brillant writing style, I’m so awake!  I did sleep like the dead last night as did the dogs.  Even Templar slept in this morning (bless his little heart!).

Maybe I will go back to bed..oh wait, I’m still there, silly me!

It’s going to be us and the puppies

P just got his first out of town assignment! He flys out tonight and won’t be back until Friday at some point. Not a long journey, just a quickie. His two week trip should be coming soon though. He has three training classes to go to throughout the summer (each two weeks long).

I had to laugh, two whole days, huh? Heck, I’m used to him being gone for six months at a time, this isn’t even time enough for me to do laundry to anything! LOL!

It’s fricking hot outside too. Even I was whining (I’ve just gotten soft living here!). Blech. We let the babies out to potty and when they came back in their fur was hot! I can’t imagine having them outside for too long at a time. Poor Templar is dark colored and fluffy…poor guy doesn’t stand a chance. I’ll take them out later this evening to visit Ms. Lana and family once it’s cooler.

Hmm…what to do for dinner tonight? It will just be me and the puppies I think? Hmmm a nice cool salad and lemonade? Nothing that involves the stove, that’s for sure!

Oh, I picked up sock yarn today!! Yay! I got two balls of Tofutsies and one of a local handdyed superwash.

I’m dying to try the tofutsies, it’s antibacterial in nature due to one of it’s components. The pinkish and blue/greenish are the tofutsies, and the golden is a superwash handdyed.

And, naturally, we have fur baby pictures:

Ford doing his application pose for his summer job. He applied to sit in for one of the lions at the New York City Public Library. We havent’ heard from them yet. He’s getting a bit discouraged.

Next up, we have Ms. Maggie.  She loves Starbucks as there are always plenty of hands for petting her and she likes the water from there!

and last but certainly not least….Templar from about a week or so back:

this was from his first outing to Starbuck’s. He’s an old pro now. Heck, eveyrone knows him these days. We can be walking down the street and someone will walk by and go “Hi Templar”! It’s like living with a rock star or something!

It’s before 10 and I’m in a good mood

Yes, strange things do happen sometimes.  I’m actually not crabby this morning!  Imagine that? Muahahahahaha

Today looks to be interesting.  It’s going to be hot, sunny and I’m not sure what is up.  I’m supposed to visit Ms. Lana today with Templar, but if it’s too hot, I might not make it.  I hate taking him out in the high heats due to his fur coat.  Poor baby suffers from the heat so.  We will have to play it by ear.  I might go visit after dinner or something when it’s cooler.

Lesson learned from my grandmother: When it’s hot (as in over 89 degrees), stay inside between Noon and about six pm. When I was a kid, I thought she was a little off her rocker, but  now, I totally get it.  I learned alot from her about staying cool: keep the curtains drawn during those hours, use fans to circulate the air you have and drink lots of water.

Last summer, I used our very small fan (about six inches across) on the floor for Maggie.  I put a bowl of ice in front of it and let the air blow across it, she laid in front of that thing for hours!  This summer, she and Templar have taken to laying in the bathroom where the a/c is.  The reason our a/c is in the bathroom…that is the only window that rises upwards and doesn’t slide sideways.

Most of the apartments in Portland have sliding windows and not up/down ones.   Figures.  Not only don’t they put a/c’s in the apartments, but they use windows that aren’t window unit friendly.  All you ever hear up here is “oh, you don’t need air conditioning, it doesn’t get that hot up here”!  BullS*&t…that’s what I say to that. The first summer we lived here in 2001 I almost died from the heat in our apartment.  That was the main reason Mr. Bear went to daycare, was that I didn’t want to leave him in our apartment all day in that heat.  Then we move here and it’s just as bad.   Please, Pacific Northwest…get with the program.  Global warming, hello????

I plan on working on the sock today (I got ZERO) done on it yesterday after all.  I got distracted by movies and lunching and stuff that I didn’t get to it at all.

I have some household stuff to take care of today and then I can knit, yippee!

Whew, that was a huge disappointment!

T and I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds’ End today.  If you haven’t seen it, be prepared for a really crappy ending.  The movie wasn’t that bad until the end.  I HATED THE ENDING!  Gah…I’m not even sure I want it on DVD to round out my collection. (This is my very own personal opinion and not connected to anyone in any shape or form.)

Other than that it was a great day.  We had fabulous parking at Bridgeport Village (no small feat in itself).  We lunched at the California Pizza Kitchen where I had a totally scrumpcious focaccia sandwich with grilled chicken and rosemary and cesare dressing.  I couldn’t eat it all, half of it went back. I then had a small nosh of handmade Belgian Chocolates. Oh my.  I picked up the new copy of “Adorn” Magazine, I totally love it and there is a bag I’m so going to create as soon as the sock is finished.

The whole afternoon fit into my incredible shrinking budget! Matinee performance and “lunch portion” prices and then just two small pieces of really fabulous chocolate to finish it off.  I refuse to give up my “lifestyle” due to budget constraints, I’ve just toned it down ALOT!  I’ve learned to live with matinee performances, getting the lunch portion for 1/2 price, or buying just one small piece of something instead of a lot of them.  I also use coupons like there is no tomorrow!  I get coupons for everything under the sun and am not ashamed to use them at all.

I do think I’m going to subscribe to Adorn though.  It’s only 12.00 a year for the whole year which is not bad.

It’s turned into a rather warm day here. The poor fur babies were miserable so we turned on the a/c for them.  I hate seeing them miserable like that.  Needless to say every blind is lowered and every curtain is drawn.  It may just be a state of mind but darker is cooler!

I had hoped to finish  my sock today, but stuff got in the way.  I’m going to knit on it tonight and try to get it finished.  I found a killer short row tutorial (thanks Lana) over at Kaity’s.

I’m going to toss some stitches on a needle and practice it step by step on her tutorial…I’m bound and determined to get that bloody heel right!!!!!  I just know that the minute I master it, it will be super easy and super clear and I will sit here and want to pound my head on the table for being so dense the whole while over it.

After cooling off and knitting a bit, I’m going to do some blog reading and see what everyone has been up to today.  I hope lots of fun and interesting things.  I’m avoiding mopping the kitchen floor later tonight. Like Lana, I only do things when the cooler temps are around!

A whole lot a sock knitting!

Yep, my major contribution to humanity today was knitting on a sock.  Not only is it a sock, it’s the dreaded second sock to a pair!  I finished the first one up this morning and cast on for the second one.  I seriously have to do that or it will never get knitted. I’m up to the gusset on the second sock and am almost ready to start turning the heel.  This pattern totally zooms along.  I seriously think if I tried hard and started early in the morning (like 7am or so), I could actually knit an entire sock in one day…and that is with sock yarn on a size 2 needle.  See, why I totally adore socks, they are fast and easy and definitely satisfy my lust for quickie projects this summer.

I need a really good elastic type bind off though…anyone got some links for some?

Anyway, the highlight of my day was someone I met at the doggie park.  She works for KnitPicks!  It’s only one of my absolute fave places to buy yarn!  I was stunned when she walked over and asked about the toe of my sock.  Plus, she was excited to see I was doing my sock via magic loop, as she had just learned it.  We also chatted about the Knit Picks Options Needle Set (which I adore), and my bag.  It was rather funny as her husband recognized it right away!  Talk about a small world, huh?

Yesterday, I was the one person in the line that I hate.  The one that holds up the whole thing.  Why was I holding up the line?  I had to chat with the cashier about sock knitting, the new Interweave and the merits of the magic loop!  I swear sock knitters are coming out of the wood works lately.  Everyone is knitting socks right now!!!!!  Then I was perusing my Interweave last night while waiting on the dogs to “do their thing” in the grass, when a woman walked up and said she just got her issue but hadn’t had a chance to read it?  You mean there are knitters here in my apartments?  I was stunned!  Wow.  Wonder how many I will run into at school? LOL!

Templar found a buddy at the park today.  He’s still checking out the neighborhood when it comes to the dog park.  He’s a bit shy still and overhwhelmed when it comes to all the other dogs there.  But, today, he was romping and playing chase with a Dalmation puppy named Hank.  We were thrilled to see him romping about today.  Maggie is rather funny about it though, she never lets him get too far from her sight and will wander over if things get out of control too much.  It’s rather cute to watch.

I made a casserole type dish for dinner tonight.  I did up a fancy schmany pasta and cheese with ground beef added.  I did the bowtie pasta with a combination of mozzerella, cheddar and colby jack cheeses mixed with the ground beef.  I then added parmesan cheese over the top of it.  Talk about yummy!  I might add pesto next time to see how that goes?  I firmly believe that pesto makes everything taste better.

We also watched an old Robert Montgomery movie and a two hour epsiode on the mythology of Star Wars.  It was actually rather good and very informative.  I knew I kept seeing all that stuff in those movies.  I also watched the second Harry Potter movie tonight.  Since the book and the movie are out next month (oh my goddess, that is really soon!!!) I thought I would get caught back up as it has been awhile.  It’s still just as good as it was the day I saw it originally in the theatre!  I can actually claim I have seen all the Harry Potter movies in the theatre…it’s kind of cool to be able to say that.

I can’t believe that the last book will be forthcoming this next month.  I’m not sure if I’m totally ready for that or not?  I so love the books that I feel this last book will be like the loss of a dear friend.  Sigh.  As they say, all good things must come to an end, even my beloved Harry Potter series.  I’m just not ready yet though, even though I am going to have to be that’s for sure.

I watched the trailers for Ocean 13 today as well.  I love those movies and can watch them over and over and over.  I’m totally addicted to the whole “gang” of them.  The chemistry that is among the cast is amazing and still works.  A lot of people thought that Ocean’s 12 was not as good at the original one, but I beg to differ.  Yes, it was a sequel, but it still had merit and the magic that was among the cast.  Sometimes, you go to see the cast and not just the storyline.  In the next one, the storyline is as good as the cast.  I so cant’ wait to see it.

Now that I have rambled on and on and on…it’s time to go back to the sock and at least get to the heel turning part.  Once it’s turned, it’s the downhill slide from there!  I will turn the heel, knit a couple of rows and start on the 1×1 ribbing and cast off.  I think I’ll cast on a third pair once I’m done with this one.  Can’t help it, addicted to socks making.  This is all Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s fault…her and that sock of hers that traveled more than I have!  She is right though, the sock is a perfect project.

Memorial Day

Coming from a military family, today really does stand out for us.  It’s a day for remembering everyone that served, is serving or who is training to serve.  It’s also the first Memorial Day since P retired.  No, he didn’t do the parade thing.

Today, I remember the relatives that have crossed over:

My grandfather, H.A., my grandfather Leslie, my father John, my oldest brother, Matthew and my second oldest brother, Mark.  Even though I still talk to them pretty regularly (particularly in traffic), I do miss them.

I remember that I still have family serving:

My brother Luke, my brother John Jr., my brother Stephen, my brother Peter and my brother Paul.   Iactually don’t hear from this set that often.  I think I talk to the ones that have crossed over more than the ones that are still with me?  Strange.

While I believe that our time in Iraq has passed and that we should come home, I fully support the troops, the support staff and everyone else connected with it and the job they are trying to do.  Not everyone is willing to sign on the dotted line, step up and try to make the world a better place.  A lot of people are content to sit back and critize those that have.  While everything our military does may not be the right thing at the end of the day, at least they are trying.

I don’t believe that war solves anything. In fact, if you look at history, it hasn’t solved anything ever.  For instance, the current middle east situation.  The arab nations want the jewish nation gone.  They are still fighting a war that was fought, lost and won, over thousands of years ago.  If people can’t learn to let go and move on, then war will always be the solution that is not a solution.

People are claiming years and years and generations later that they are owed something from something that happened hundreds or at least a hundred years ago.  When did the sons of the fathers become responsible for what the fathers did?  Am I responsible for a death that my great-great-great-great grandfather caused?  Is there a statute of limitations on this stuff?  If there is what is it?

So, on Memorial Day I remember those that stepped up and tried.  I remember those that tried and lost and had to reform, regroup and move on.  I think of those that are trying.  I also feel sorrow for those that just can’t move on with their lives and find happiness somehow.

I think I just found my VERY FAVORITE sock pattern

This may very well be the ABSOLUTE best TOE UP sock pattern I have ever gotten my hot little hands on!  I’m just not up to the short row heel yet.  I’m sure once I master it once, it will be a case of “this took me this long to figure out, it’s so easy”.  That’s usually what happens with me.

I took the above reference pattern and converted it to the “magic loop” method.  I can’t help it, I find knitting on one circular knitting easier than five double pointed ones.  It actually travels better and I don’t risk the loss of a dpn.  This pattern flies by and I simply adore the heel.  It’s not a short row, but yet not a heel flap either.  I’m in actual love.  I’m also in love with this yarn I’m using.  I’m using a ball of Austermann Step…the stuff has aloe vera in it!  So the more I knit, the softer my hands get!  You can actually feel your fingers getting softer in the process.  At first it was weird, now I’m in love with this stuff.  I’m going to try and get another ball of it soon.  Hmmm, Austermann Step or Koigu?  Tough call, I think the Austermann will win hands down though, I’m so digging the aloe vera in the yarn!  Wonder if it makes your tootsies nice and soft too?

I got the new interweave today.  Oh my, let’s just call it the “all about socks” issue.  There are a few sock patterns I’m dying to try out, I just have to convert them to toe up, magic loop and the gusset heel.  Okay, so maybe I’ll just put a pattern on the instep side and stick with my favorite pattern?  That would be the easier of the two.  This is a great issue and has a few tops I wouldn’t mind knitting up beside socks.

Let’s see, I went to Bridgeport Village today and had a fabulous sandwich and browsed through Borders (hence Interweave!).  I love that place, it’s just so nice there.  I also got invited to the MAC event on June 15th.  I’m always up for having them “do” my face for me.

On the home front, Templar chewed up and digested a ball of Jo Sharp Kid Haze Mohair today.  Sigh…at least he has good taste.  I swear that dog is addicted to fiber like a drug addict!  He’s always into my fiber no matter what we do.  Nothing is allowed to get between him and his fiber fix.  He needs counseling, I swear.

So, that about covers my day, it was a nice quiet day with lots of knitting and some reading.  I do have a couple of new books to read, and think I might go curl up and start one.  I’ve needed a new read for a bit.

Lazy Saturday afternoons

As opposed to Lana who is doing her “tornado” imitation in her house, we are kicking back today.  I fnished my socks last night (picture forthcoming) and started a crochet grocery bag today!  I had forgotten how fast crochet goes and it’s zooming.  I had to make adjustments because I didn’t have the correct size needles and substituted my regular old plain cotton for the fancy stuff.  I did discover it will take two balls of “sugar n cream” to make the bag, but it will be worth it.  I did have to walk over to Michaels to get some more cotton.  At 1.49 a ball, I can afford it!  I want to knit up a few of them.  Since they are crocheted, they scrunch up nicely and can be stuffed in a purse.

I’m using the Farmer’s Market Bag pattern from the current issue of Knit.1, by Vicki Howell.  It’s the very first crochet pattern I have ever followed.  Apparently, after one single crochet lesson over at Crafty Daises, I’m feeling rather confident.  Well, she did explain how to actually read the patterns, which is really nice.  This is so cool!  I’m totally loving it, although all I can do is a single crochet at the moment and think I might be able to manage the double as well.  The biggest problem I had was those stupid patterns, they made no sense to me, at all.

We also had to go fuel up my car.  I’ve been driving on the same tank of gas from the 1st of May and was down to about 1/4 of a tank.  It was 24.00 to fill up, which thrilled me.  Petrol actually went down .06 cents a gallon here!  Yippee!!!  I’m still getting a bike on the 1st of June, though.  Even though we can afford the petrol, I don’t believe in wasting it on small errands when my bike will suffice.  I’ll need to order a basket for it, as you can’t buy a cute basket around here.  I can’t decide between one that actuall detaches and can be used as a “market basket” or a cute little french wicker model?  I’m so indecisive, I swear!

Now to just find the perfect bike, LOL.  I know I want a comfort bike, so that’s one decision made.  Now, as to what model and color?