Category Archives looking back

Then and Now – MEME

I was tagged by Renee over at Life With My Special K’s for the Then and Now MEME. It seemed like fun so here is mine to show just how much my two little guys have grown in a short amount of time.

This is NHL "Then and Now": 

NHL Then . . . August 2003

 NHL Now . . . January 2007

This is JSL "Then and Now": 

JSL Then . . . May 2007

 

JSL Now . . . January 2007

It really is hard to believe how quickly they grow. . . makes me so glad that I am home this year to really watch JSL during this time.

I now tag:

 

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My knitty history

When I went to the yarn store the other day the woman was shocked to hear that I had been knitting for over 20 years. It is true, just not on a regular basis (thus the reason I had to relearn some things). I originally learned how to knit when I was in elementary school. Most summers when I was in school, my friend across the street and I would knit together to pass time at night when it was too warm or buggy to sit outside.

She would always do small projects or more complicated items since her mother knew how to knit and could assist her. Her mother used to make gorgeous sweaters and other amazing things. Anyway, one year I decided I wanted to knit an afghan. I believe I started this either at the end of high school or when I was in college. I figured I would do it like the blankets that my grandmother and aunt make. This would mean knitting three super long strips and connecting them at the end.

Last night while at my parent’s house I went to my old room and opened up my craft bin. Inside I found that old project. 

The reason I NEVER finished projects in the past

Those are the two finished strips. In addition to this, I found more. Still on the needles was another strip that is probably half done. 

The 3rd almost complete panel

Eventually I want to finish this since I put a lot of hard work into it. I am going to talk to my Aunt T to see if she can help me to piece it together once I finish the last strip (between other projects – while relearning how to purl).

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Earlier Saturday, Laura told me to get some cotton yarn at the store. She thought it would be a good idea to make some wash cloths to practice casting on, purling, and binding-off. Ya know, make smaller projects that one can finish once the scarf  for JSL is done (which it practically is). The reason is I do not want to use the nice new yarn for my scarf to practice on.

Since the yarn was really inexpensive (and I can use the practice), I thought it would be fun for all of us to pick a color for me to make. JL and NHL were both game too.

I selected a yarn that was colorful, not too bold and made me know that I am the Estrogen queen in this house! It is called Potpourri.

My pick - lots of purty colors

JL selected a masculine mix of blues. It is called Faded Denim.

JL wanted this one

Then it was NHL’s turn to pick. Well, it speaks for itself.     *sigh*     *shudders*     This is called Lemon-Lime, but I believe I will have more colorful names for this soon.

NHL's "lovely" selection

Right after his own selection, NHL picked one for his little brother (thank goodness there were none with orange). This one is called Sea Mist.

NHL selected this for JSL

So to recap these are the yarns that were purchased for me to relearn how to do all things knitty. 

Practice project yarn

A special thanks to Laura for agreeing to help me with this and suggesting the cool new mini-projects. Now can someone please buy me some shades for when I tackle the one for NHL. . . ugh!

 

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Knitting fool – c’est moi!

For the last few months I have been itching to learn to crochet. Why? I guess it was always something that seemed interesting to me. In addition to this, I have fallen in love with the beautiful work that Bethany has made and shown in her Flickr albums.  I found out that my grandmother and two aunts actually crochet, but with their busy schedules and my kids we have not been able to figure out time for lessons.

My desire to do something with yarn finally made me take a plunge. With some help from Laura I decided to head out get some new knitting needles (not sure where my old ones are – probably still at my parents house). So last weekend while NHL and JL were at a birthday party, I walked with JSL to Michael’s to get something for a project. I decided to make something simple that I should be able to finish. So, I am knitting a scarf for the little guy. They do not sell scarves in stores for babies and since baby necks get cold I am making him one!

Laura came over Monday to help me to asses the items that I bought (and pick up her Trader Joe order). I could not get the bamboo needles in the size that she suggested, so I stuck with the metal ones (I learned on those when I was in elementary school – so they work for me). The show off got me started with two rows. She wanted to see how many stitches to use. Later I counted and she supposedly thought that 49 was the perfect number.

I do not have a lot of time to knit, but it is therapeutic to do before bed to help me to relax some before going to read and passing out sleeping. How sad that the first night I sat there with my laptop and knitting so I could get pointers from Laura on what I was doing wrong since my poor hands were killing me. She had to remind me to relax my hands from death gripping the needles. . . ooops! Since then I have really gotten the hang of it and my hands only start to bother me after more than 2 hours of torture knitting. This is a nice break from typing/blogging and gives me a different type of obsession project/goal. Man can you tell I am getting punchy and my eyes are bloodshot as I type this after knitting for the last two hours?!?!

Here is a sneak peek of my knitting. The scarf is very wide for a baby, but I hope to tuck it under his coat some to protect from puke keep his neck warm. Plus an added bonus is that he can use it next year, assuming we do not misplace it. These photos were taken Thursday after knitting for a few hours. Since then it has increased a little more thanks to another 2-3 hours of therapy. 

My new project

Extreme Macro close-up! 

Extreme close up

Another close view with the shiny purple needles. 

Something therapeutic to do

I will keep you posted on my progress. I hope to finish this before winter so JSL’s neck can have some protection from the cold weather that is coming back.

Next up, learning how to purl again. This time I am doing a straight knit since it has been over two years since I have done anything. Laura has said she will teach me again and thinks she can show me how to make some mittens. I will believe that when I see it.

Who knows, maybe someday I will be a yarn snob just like her. Thanks Laura for your help and who knows you may get laughs from me one day about turning a heel on socks – LOL!

 

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Bithday party fun & future request

Saturday morning NHL was invited to a birthday party for one of his classmates. The party was going to be at a local place that is similar to Chuck E Cheese. He had not been there in over 2 years when Laura had her son’s party there. On that day he was very overwhelmed by the place. Thanks to this we were a bit afraid of how he would react. We made sure to talk very positively about the place and let him no that there would NOT be a costume (please see recent Chuck E Cheese "fun" here and here).

Wow, were we surprised! From the moment he walked into the place he was ready to go. He was so excited to go on all of the rides (except the roller coaster), climb with Daddy, and play games. It was funny watching NHL grabbing his friend to go on everything with him. He also proved that he is my boy. He loved the fast moving ride that went forward and then backward. The party included unlimited rides for two hours, 50 game points, and one of the extra exhibits (NHL wanted to feed the "parrots"). Here are some photos from the fun: 

Birthday party fun

The real test of the day came when we had to try to remove him from the party. He did not want to leave after almost three hours. NHL has also asked to go back with us and has requested to have his 5th birthday party at this location as well. I guess we need to start thinking about this even though it is seven months away!

 

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Baby review of applesauce

While we were visiting my in-laws I decided to try some natural applesauce with JSL. He is 7 1/2 month old and we have been increasing his food repertoire. He had only been given bananas, veggies, and several cereals up to this point.

JL and I both recalled NHL’s reaction the first time he had apple sauce. Here it is from March 30, 2004 when he was 7 1/2 months old:

NHL's opinion on apples

As you can see he was not really a fan. When we tasted it, we agreed it was pretty tart for a little guy who had never really had much flavor.

So fast forward to January 1, 2008 when JSL is the same age and trying some natural apple sauce that Bubbe had in her house. Note – thanks to NHL’s reaction we had our camera ready for this: 

Not an apple fan, eh?

Pretty obvious that this little money did not like this either.

*sigh*  

When we mixed it with a little oatmeal he was able to eat it without the agonizing look from the second photo on the top. In addition to this he stopped gagging. Since that time he has been gobbling up applesauce that we have at home with his oatmeal for dinner.

Thank goodness NHL also changed his mine. He loves to go apple picking and eat anything and everything with apples in it. 

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