Another one......

Here is a picture of my new tatoo.......It's hard taking a picture of your own ankle, but you all get the idea. This is Loopy, the logo from The Loopy Ewe.

The first time I shopped at their online store I fell in love with the logo. I have been tossing the idea around in my head to get a knitting tatto, and well, I did it. Last spring I asked Sheri for permission to use her logo, and she said yes. Then I had surgery and didn't feel up to having it done. Now it's done and I love it. I'm off to get Grant ready for work. Happy knitting!

Country Jam...Part 2

We had a good time on Saturday, except for the thunderstorm that went through around 5:30. The VIP area was full of water. It was gross, but we went back to our chairs anyway. Clay Walker and Carrie Underwood were great. Earlier in the afternoon it was hot and sunny. Maggie and I got our picture taken with Sarah Johns. Maggie is holding a postcard from The Loopy Ewe of their logo Loopy. On September 1st they are giving away gift certificates from the pictures submitted. Check out their website and go to photo galleries. Click on Summer 2008 and see some of the neat places he's been this summer.

Country Jam 2008 Big Kenny and John Rich from Big and Rich. Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and Taylor Swift. Maggie and I are having a good time. More picture tomorrow. We are off to see Lady Antebellum, Clay Walker, and Carrie Underwood today. Bye, y'all. :)

Update...

I had an MRI done yesterday on my shoulder. I have bursitis and a tear in my rotator cuff. I was give a cortisone shot and will do some physical therapy. The doctor said I will need to have surgery, but hopefully not for a few years. I am very thankful for that. I've had enough surgeries to last for awhile!!! I'm still not knitting a lot so really have nothing new to share.

Maggie had fun at her friend's cabin last weekend, but ended up with a concussion and whiplash from tubing behind the boat. She was launched into the air and landed so hard that it knocked the wind out of her in addition to the other stuff. She has to take it easy for two weeks. She will be going to volleyball camp on the 20th for four days, then home for three days and off to YMCA camp on the 27th for a week. I'm thankful that she is doing better. She doesn't like having to stay home and relax, but if she wants to recover quickly and go to her camps, she must.

I'm off to check emails and then bed.

New Camera.....
Tom gave me a Canon Rebel for my birthday a month ago. I'm still learning how to use it but I was able to get some good shots last night at the fireworks.

We had an awesome fireworks display. It amazes me how they come up with the designs in the fireworks. Two had hearts inside a circle, and one had a five pointed star. Anyone out there know how it all works?
Maggie went up to a friend's cabin on Thursday so it was strange not having all of my kids with me yesterday. It's all part of letting them grow up and away. The boys are still outside with some of the neighborhood kids firing off some small fireworks. I didn't want them to go, but Tom told me to lighten up. Again, another moment to let them grow up. They are to be home in ten minutes then I can go to bed and stop worrying.

Knitting has been sparse. My shoulders are really bothering me. I did make a wash cloth, but I'm not going to post a picture since it isn't that exciting. I am going to see the doctor on Tuesday, so hopefully I can get some relief with some physical therapy. I'm off to watch SNL and wait for the boys. Happy knitting!

Lazy days of summer....that's a laugh!

My life has been crazy running my kids all over for various activities. Grant started a job two afternoons a week, Patrick has baseball, sports training, and band, and Maggie has has two volleyball camps and sports training. Add in a garage sale and just trying to keep up with the house, this is insanity!!!

Next week things slow down a bit. I am looking forward to sitting by the pool and reading for a few afternoons. Let's just hope the weather cooperates. If I had a convertible, I would have an awesome tan from all the driving I've been doing. :)

I started crocheting a bag, but ripped it out last night. I may start over today, or I may just knit something with the yarn. Well, I need to take Grant to work and Patrick to work out. Happy knitting!

They grow up....

Maggie had her 8th grade graduation dance Friday night. This is a picture of her with Tom. It amazes me how fast she is growing up. I'm a proud mama. She is a beautiful, kind hearted young woman. One of her good friends had a party after the dance. The family opened their pool early so the kids could swim. It rained a bit, but they were able to swim and enjoy the hot tub. I helped supervise, and it was a joy to see all of the kids having a good time. Maggie has a really nice group of friends.

I joined the 52 pair plunge, which means that from June 1, 2008 to June 1, 2009 I need to knit 52 pairs of socks. Crazy, huh? I have three single socks, so they can count when I get the mates finished. I wonder if I'll be able to do this. It's good to have goals, right? We'll see how this goes.

The sun is shining right now, but it is cold!!! I wish we would get some 70-75 degree temps that would stay. We've had a few warm days this spring, but they are few and far between. I think we will be opening our pool next week, but I'm not sure about heating it yet. It seems too silly to waste the gas heating the thing when the nights are still in the 40's! Well, the laundry awaits my attention. Happy knitting!

Busy....

Today is Patrick's birthday. He is 11. Wow, how did that happen? The years have just flown by. Life continues to be a whirlwind. Having three kids is busy, add in a few favorite sports, music lessons, church activities, hobbies, and school activities, and that about sums up life these days. Patrick is winding up with his Elementary school days, and Maggie is almost finished with Middle school. May continues to be a crazy month.

Happy belated Mother's Day to the mothers reading this. I didn't even spend much time with my own kids. I went up to my parent's house to see my mom. Patrick had baseball practice and I knew that we wouldn't have time to drive up there, visit, and get back here in time for practice. Since he didn't go, then Grant didn't want to go and neither did Maggie. It was not fun spending Mother's Day without my own kids, so next year, I am expecting breakfast in bed and some quality time with my kids. I've already informed Tom of my plans:) He is okay with it.

Posts will be sporadic throughout the next month or so. I am knitting, just not that much. I keep reading blogs and will continue to try to stay connected that way. For now, happy knitting.

Still here....

I haven't posted in a month. It's not that I haven't been knitting, I have been. I need to bind off a sock and then I'll post a picture. I'm not sure, but I just haven't felt like blogging. I am reading blogs everyday, but my blogging mojo is just not here.

I'm recovering from my surgery as expected. I did too much after the first two weeks and had a bit of a set back. I really tire easily, so I am trying to rest. I'm still a mom, so the kids and their schedules keep me busy. The other night I was in bed at 8:00! As soon as I am done posting this, I'll be going to bed. I am tired tonight. Maggie is playing softball again this spring and Patrick is playing baseball. It is a busy time of year for our family. Last weekend we went to Milwaukee to watch the Brewer's play the Florida Marlin's. The boys didn't want to go to the game on Saturday night, so I stayed at the hotel with them. It was a good idea, because when I snuggled into read my book, I fell asleep for a couple hours. The boys were great and watched a movie.

This cold, rainy, and snowy spring really stinks. I really need the sun to shine! It is starting to get me down. Maybe that's why I don't feel like knitting much. I just can't seem to manage much joy from anything right now. It's stressful with two teenagers and an almost 11 year old. I know that when I have more energy things will get better. Okay, so sorry for this lack luster post. Anyone out there have any ideas to cheer me up? Good kid stories, jokes, etc.? Pet stories? Funny husband/significant other stories? I could use a good laugh.

Baby food...

I can't believe I am sick of sweet stuff already, but I am. I asked Chris to go to the store for me and buy baby food carrots. I added some butter and salt and they are actually pretty good. The jello, pudding, yogurt, and protein drinks are good, but I was craving something savory. Chris also brought me some mixed veggies, which I haven't tried yet. I had tomato soup yesterday for lunch and that was pretty good also. The good thing in all of this(well, besides no more acid reflux) is that I am losing weight. I have lost four pounds already. I must get off the "winter coat" that I added during the holidays and this long winter. I figure that just about the time I can eat real food again, I will be able to start exercising too, so hopefully the weight will stay off.

I went to the chiropractor this morning and my neck and shoulders feel so much better. The first thing I started to complain about after the surgery was how sore my neck was. It was awful. I've been up since 7 this morning and have been checking emails, blogs, and Ravelry, so I need to go take a nap. I may have some knitting to show soon. I really haven't even felt like knitting.

Home....

Hi all. I got home from the hospital around 1:30. The surgery went well and I'm recovering normally. I was suppose to come home yesterday, but I got really nauseaed and they gave me some medication and I stayed one more night. It is good to be home. The nurses and nursing assistants were great. I was very thankful for the kindness. I tried to knit on a sock Friday night, but I really screwed it up. Vicodin and knitting just don't go well together:)

I need to go take a nap. Happy knitting!

No bread or pasta....

I had a good conversation today with the pre-op nurse. She had this same surgery a year ago, so in between asking me all the required questions, I'd interject a little question of my own. She told me that I wouldn't be eating any bread or pasta for at least a month if not longer. Boy, do I love bread and pasta. Also, no soda pop for a long time. In the end this will all be worth it. We all know that soda isn't very good for a body, so this may be just the thing I need to give it up. A good side effect of this will be some much needed weight loss. Tom called me earlier and asked if I was packed and ready to go. I let him know that my knitting was all ready. He said, "Yeah, who needs clean underwear when you've got knitting." Too funny!

Okay, Miss Maggie and I are off to confirmation. I'll update as soon as I feel better. Happy knitting!

All done....
Another pair of socks for me! I started this pair in June when I got the yarn from Shelly. I don't know why I suffered from second sock syndrome with this pair. I'm glad they are finished and I plan on wearing them today!! I may even wash them up tonight to take to the hospital with me.

Shelly and her beautiful girls met us last Monday when we were up in the cities. We went to a Vietnamese resturant and it was fabulous. I can't remember the name of the soup we all got, but it was delicious. My boys were not the best behaved and I was embarrassed, but it was wonderful to see Shelly again. Her girls were fantastic and they are only 2 and 4! Next time I go meet her I will be alone. (Or I may take Maggie with me, she was wonderful) Shelly brought me a gift of this hand spun yarn. I was going to make mittens for myself, but changed my mind. I think I will make a scarf. One can never have too many scarves when you live in Wisconsin!
I was remiss in posting a picture of my yarn I got with my cute sheep. Chris said the bag was making lots of noise and when she looked in it, there was yarn!:) Too funny. She spoils me.
I am meeting with my knitting group today. Chris, Jane, Susan, and I started a little group last fall and we try to meet up once a month. I enjoy it very much. Tonight is our group at church, Purly Gates Knitters, so I'm going to that as well. Today is just a good day for knitting!
I'm off to try and get some work done before my "playdate" with my friends. Happy knitting!!!

A Sheepy Friend and new yarn....

My friend, Chris, gave me this big, fluffy sheep on Thursday. Isn't it cute? Very soft and cuddly.

Here are some new skeins of yarn I received in the last week or so. On the left is Cherry Tree Hill from my Loopy Ewe sock club package, middle is Wollmeise (also from The Loopy Ewe) andon the right is my Yarn Pirate sock club yarn. I really love them all.
We had a nice Easter yesterday. We went to church then to see Tom's mom. The afternoon was spent relaxing and then we had a nice dinner with ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, and the ever so nummy snickers salad. (Snickers, green apples, mandarin oranges, cool whip and vanilla pudding) Last night I finished up the last pair of mittens I'm making this year for Maggie's friends. We still have a lot of snow and more is predicted tomorrow! I am so ready for spring!!!

I will have a finished pair of socks to show tomorrow. The first one was done in June!!! I had a bit of second sock syndrome. Happy knitting!!

Surgery...

On Thursday I will be having a procedure called a Nissan Fundoplication as described here. I have been dealing with acid reflux since I was pregnant with Grant. It got worse with each pregnancy and I've been taking Nexium twice a day for a long time. I'm still having problems and they can't increase the medication so this is the next step. Since November I've had ultrasounds, CT scans, endoscopy, and manometry done. I will be in the hospital 2-3 days and on a liquid diet for 2 weeks. I hope to get a lot of knitting done. The only concern I have is the nausea after surgery. I hope they give me lots of drugs to counteract this.

I'll try to update my blog again before Thursday and hopefully will be feeling better by the following Monday. Happy Easter!

1000 Knitters...

Yesterday at Yellow Dog Knitting I had my picture taken by Franklin Habit for his book project to photograph 1000 knitters. It was very nice to meet him. He is so friendly and I wasn't nervous at all. I was the first one for the day and I'm not sure what number I was exactly. I believe he photographed approx. 50 knitters yesterday. Our local newspaper even wrote an article about the event. Knitters rule! Go read Franklin's blog. It is wonderful.

In the afternoon I went up to Woodbury for a gathering of my high school friends. We have been having a Christmas party every year since our senior year. It has been hard to gather in December, so in the past five years or so, it has been in January. Well, somehow we didn't get our acts together and found ourselves gathering in March this year. There are about 25 or so of us, but only 13 were able to attend yesterday. It was so much fun catching up with everyone. Most of us have children and the ages range from 25 to 3 1/2. One of my friend's is planning her daughter's wedding. I think this is the first wedding for our group. So far no one is a grandma. Ugh! I can't believe I even wrote that. Am I really old enough to have high school friend's who could be grandmas. Scary!! We stayed up until 3:00 a.m talking and laughing. I had to take a nap this afternoon! :)

Tomorrow the kids and I head out for our mini-vacation to the Mall of America. I am looking forward to it and so are the kids. Happy knitting!!!

NEW FAMILY MEMBER....
Here is Sadie Lynn. We got her on Saturday from the Eau Claire County Humane Association. She is a doll. I didn't think I was ready, and I do still miss Gracie a lot, but Sadie is so fun. She is six months old. The dogs are getting along well with her. Richie a.k.a. Fat Cat is still adjusting. He was trying to play with her today, so that is a good sign.

Blankie Pictures

Here are some updated pictures of my blankie. Shelly has completed her blankie and that inspired me to get mine out and work on it. I really do enjoy this project. I can do a few squares and feel like I've accomplished something.

Kids are on spring break next week, so we are going to the Mall of America on Monday and Tuesday. We haven't spent a lot of time at the mall in awhile, so I thought it would be a nice time to do this. A lot of people we know are heading to warmer climates and wonderful vacations, but this will have to do for now. The kids wish we were going somewhere tropical, but it is a very busy time for Tom at work and it is too hard for him to get away. I really didn't feel like going on a vacation with the kids myself. I did that once in 2001 and we had fun, but I want Tom to be able to go with us. We may take the kids to Florida this fall.

I need to get some work done. Have a good day!! Happy knitting!

A SAD DAY IN PACKERLAND.......

Well it is official, Brett retired. I was in denial up until the news conference this morning. I cried a lot, but so did the other women I was with today. I went to a friend's house for scrapbooking and we all sat on the couch and cried while Brett said his goodbye. I know he is a human being just like the rest of us, but he was so much fun to watch. I thought it was interesting how he stated that he knows what it is like to be dead. Watching all the sports coverage about his career must be pretty weird because it seems like we all are eulogizing him. Like he said, "All good things must come to an end."

Maggie, Patrick, and I went to the Chippewa County Humane Association to look at some kittens today. I thought I was ready to get another cat, but I'm not. Both of the kitties we were looking at are adorable, but it just didn't feel right in my heart. I guess I need more time.

I'll stop for now to go knit and watch the Eau Claire North High School boys basketball team play in the state tournament. Happy Knitting!!

We had my friend's daughter take pictures of Gracie last August since we weren't sure how long we would have her in our lives. This one is probably my favorite. I am so thankful that I have this one. I have set it to be my background on the computer screen. I wanted to share it with all of you. It really shows what a sweetie she was and how much fun we had watching her. I love how you can see her pretty pink nose and tongue. I'm missing her a lot and have been a bit emotional the past few days about her. Adding to the mood is stress over dealing with teenagers. I know that the decisions Tom and I make are in the best interests of the kids, but d@mn, it is hard. Someday the kids will know we did our best and hopefully with see that we just wanted to help shape them into wonderful members of society. We are trying to find the balance between being too strict yet giving limits that are appropriate for them. If they get to do whatever they want at 15 and 13 1/2 what do they have to look forward too? Is it ever going to be enough? Well, I hope you all enjoy my picture of Gracie. She gave me a lot of unconditional love, and I guess I'm missing that. Teenagers don't quite get that yet:(

More volleyball...

We had another tournament today. The good part was that it was here in Eau Claire, the bad part is that Maggie's team didn't play very good. She is frustrated and I don't blame her. She is very competitive and some girls on her team just don't take it seriously. They have one more tournament next Sunday in Rochester, MN and then they are done. I hate to admit it, but I'm glad. This has been a learning experience for all of us. She wants to try out for the club team again next year and I hope she makes it and has a more postive experience.

I have been knitting, just not blogging or taking pictures. I seem to have starteritis. Yes, I believe that is a made up name. I have started a sweater and frogged it, am working on my Diva sweater, have a mitten done and one more to go, started a scarf, and began designing a fair isle sweater. My ADD must be in full swing! :)

I'm tired and the dogs are looking for a lap to cuddle with. I'm going over to Ravelry then I'll hit the couch. Happy knitting.