Happy New Year!

Resolutions?  Oh, Ba Hum Bug!
I've given up making those!

Clap Section 3, 4th Dropped Stitch

I plan to do what I always do:

1.  Love my family (no matter how irritating they can be at times)
2.  Be Positive!  (the power of positive thinking is a mighty source)
3.  Use the Force (all Jedi have the force and it's our duty to find the power within ourselves)
4.  Smile ( When you're smiling, the world will smile with you)
5.  Laugh ( you should never take life too seriously)

on a serious note, bahahaha (evil laugh) I will attempt these newly acquired items for my list:

1.  Keep on Truckin' (yes, I will keep knitting...because practice makes perfect)
2.  Follow the Rules  (don't tell me you've already forgetten Zombieland? Yes, all of these rules are important! Especially #32)

Somewhere in the midst of all this, I will find time to find "normal" and be the best mother and wife I can be. 

I will continue to build my farm and make it uber successfull.  Yes, I said uber! 

I will attempt to sleep through the night and not let stress get to me which will also help with the weight. 

I will say NO!  (even though every part of me is screaming to volunteer!)

I will attempt to forgive...that will be a hard one, and if you are the one I need to forgive...don't hold your breath because as you can see, it's at the bottom of the list!

So Happy New Year!
2009 was full of the Good, the Bad and the Ugly and here's hoping to a 2010 full of Good!

The Living Tree

My dear friend, Carla, and her husband came by the farm to visit yesterday and they brought a very special gift.  They brought a Blue Spruce and a beautiful plaque to plant this Spring in honor of my Dad.  The gift is beautiful and a loving tribute to a friend. 

Carla is like a mom to me.  I met her back in the days when I was in college working at JCPenny in the Window Coverings Department.  The ladies in that department were amazing to this nineteen year old girl who was desperate for a motherly influence and big sister advice.  During those days, those ladies got to know my dad.  He would put his best Anderson charm at work and the smiles and laughter would commence.  That is how Carla met my dad and how over the years they remained email friends as they both watched over me growing up.

I have been working on all the thank you cards to the people who had flowers delivered to Dad's Memorial or the people who donated to his organizations but how do I say thank you to a gift like this?  A gift that is a reminder that you have to take care of life and cherish it because through that nurture, strength and beauty grows.

We will plant this spruce here at the farm with the plaque at it's base. 

It will be a place where we can easily see a symbol of strength and beauty which were traits of my Dad. 

It is also a reminder that as the years pass and the tree grows our memories should never cease because it's the strength of those memories that will keep him in our hearts.

Thank you Carla and Richard for such a beautiful and thoughtful gift. 

We will plant this tree in the Spring and we will love and care for it.

xoxo

Home, Home on the Grange...

Growing up I totally loved reading all the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and I was a total Little House on the Prairie freak. 

I wanted to be Half Pint. 

I wanted my own Manly (although in retrospect, that was a bit creepy...but those were the good ol' days when things like that happened)  but I digress (imagine that!) because the whole point is that I'm a Grange Member...just like Pa!

Yes!  Me!  I am a farm girl now so doesn't it make sense that I would join the Grange? 

My first Grange Craft Day last April, learned to use a drop spindle that day!

 Home Grange 129 to be exact.

Well...the point is that this Saturday we are hosting a CRAFT FUN DAY from 12-4!

Really, check out the Home Grange 129 Blog! 

Who's this sassy lady?  It's Holly!

Honestly, how many Granges do you know that blog?  I didn't know any until the ultimate granger, knitwithsnot aka Holly, set one up and now it's the place to find out all the news that is Grange!

So now you know where I'll be on Saturday complete with my Clapotis and possibly some of my Wonder Roving and Wonder Yarn for those of you who might want to craft with the Wonder of Alpaca.

Scrapbooking?  tehehe, um yeah, not going to happen this month.  I am officially over a year behind but that's ok because I'm the WONDER WHY GAL and it's all about the fiber arts. 

So, come to the Grange with your craft of choice (scrapbooking, knitting, crochet, felting, spinning, jewelry, etc....heck, bring a coloring book or nail polish the point is just come and have fun!) and be prepared to be surrounded by awesome.

Don't worry about a possible zombie attack because the ZOMBIE PROM DATE KNITTERS will be represented (yes, we have infaltrated the grange) so your crafty projects will be safe.

Just a few members of the ZPDK (Zombie Prom Date Knitters)

There is no better way to ring in the new year than to be surrounded by friends (old and new) and tons of positive creative energy!

I've Got the Bug

Ok, it's not the bug but it's something else contagious...at least in my knitting group.  It's called the Clapotis or the Clap for short. I started it December 18th and I'm calling mine "The Crybaby" because I tend to cry while knitting it. Really, this project was supposed to take my mind off of Dad but instead let's my feelings out with each stitch.  Knitting Therapy, I guess.

Munchkin taking over my lap so I can't knit.

Well, I haven't frogged it...yet.

Section 1, Clap

Section 2 Completed, Clap

I am actually in Section 3 now.  That's a big deal if you know me or my knitting.  I knitted.  I purled.  I YO'd Yo Yo Yo.   I increased and decreased along with placing markers.  I actually looked like I know what I'm doing.

S C A R Y!  I know.

So, Section 3 is here and I finally get to drop stitches.  That's what makes this scarf/shawl so awesome!  Of course, you will get pics and updates.  Would I have it any other way?

I've also been spinning.  Imagine that!

Sunflower

I finally plyed the gorgeous yarn that I bought from Rita at Yarn Hollow.  I was going to Navajo Ply it but...too many other things going on and I didn't want to mess up that beautiful yarn so after I finish the Clap I will practice the ply technique on some crappy yarn (obviously that will be store bought stuff because my friends and I only create the most awesome of yarns and rovings)  Well, I plyed it with some yarn I spun from my girl, Sugar Breeze.  It turned out lovely.  Rita called her blend Sunflower and with my brown...it really does scream autumn.

 Finally, I have been playing with another dyed mix that I created from the 4 Musketeers girl, Fleetwood.  This time I am using blue dyes in two shade where I blended some dyed bamboo and gold glitter.  I'm calling this creation GO BLUE! (no, I am NOT a UofM fan but the colors screamed out the name) and I will be plying that today.

As we finish our last week of the year I am going to ignore cleaning the house because the Bears will just mess it up again.  I am going to take the Bears to see Alvin and the Chipmunks because they insist on seeing the Sqweakwill and I actually want to also.

I am going to finish the Thank You cards from Dad's funeral.  I got a letter where even more people have made donations to his charities in his honor.  I finished cleaning out his apartment thanks to Grumpy Bear and the kids along with my brother.  Now all I have to do is turn in the keys then finish the last load of boxes from his house in Homer.

I am going to play at the Grange on January 2, 2010.  Oh, did I forget to tell you about that?  Check out Home Grange 129 Blog to see the details for a Craft Day to start the new year.  Yes, the Wonder Why Gal will be there and hopefully have some Wonder Roving for you to play with.  I hope to have some needle felting kits for kids and some roving for beginning spinners who want to try their hand at drop spindles since our very own SpinSanity will also be there.

Ok, signing off...Grumpy is drinking all my coffee.

Dear God, Read My Blog

If you can read this blog in heaven, please send it to my Dad.

It's full of Christmas Cheer that sure would make him glad.

Grandchildren gathered together which was a sheer delight

Wishing a Merry Christmas to Papa, with giggles and smiles bright!

Sister Bear and her "ten dollar buck"

 Ladybugs make great butterflies

Brother Bear smiling in every direction

Alli loving on a Ladybug

Santa Munchkin

A gathering of family just wasn't the same without Dad.

We tried to make some new traditions but all of us still feel lost without him.

The Ladybugs kept telling us "Papa is in Heaven."

Yes, he's in heaven and we all miss him.

Merry Christmas friends and family and especially to you, Dad.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

My favorite part of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is the sound as each day of the advent calendar gets closer to Christmas.  I too feel that dread of all the family gathering, especially this year.  I don't know where that thought came from other than the advent calendar keeps ticking closer to C-Day and I really would prefer to hide in my fiber corner and knit.  Yes, there are a bazillion different funny things about that movie but that always "rings a bell" with me.  I really don't know what I want right now but the thought of being entertaining just makes me want to cry.  Yes, I've done that too.  I can't just have the kids hidden away though.  They need to be around friends and family so I'm trying.

So...what did I do today? 

Before my first cup of coffee was finished Sister Bear had me finishing her snowman jewelry she was making for Christmas gifts.  Yikes, she did all the fun creative stuff and I was stuck with the pliers pinching all the wires together.  Fun, eh?

Then I "washed" the yarn I spun the other day.  My Neapolitan.  Remember that Sassy Roving I created from Fleetwood, a 4 Musketeer Huacaya, blended with angora and firestar.  Well, it's clean and drying and here it is.

After that, I sold more alpaca socks to people to use as Christmas gifts.  Hooray!

Somewhere in there I did some work and barn chores.

Finally, it was time to go to the zoo!

Our annual trip to the zoo during Christmas Break.  Missed it only once due to the flu.

We met Santa and Brother Bear gave him a printout of the toys he wanted.  Really!  Look at the paper he's showing Santa.

 The clown made balloon animals that the kids will have thrown away in another day or so.  Hooray!

Sister Bear made another Christmas gift at the arts and crafts station while Brother Bear sulked.  Yes, that adorable little man sulks.

We watch the animal presentation.  Met Pedro, the bird.  Sister Bear loudly announced to the whole room that "WE HAVE AN ALPACA NAMED PEDRO AND HE IS SO CUTE!"  I love that Sister Bear.

We went to the carousel which was free.  I knew that due to the fact it was free that the kids would ride it over and over and over and over and over and over and over....so I brought my knitting.

Yes, I go to the zoo to knit!  Is that a crime?  No!  Look, a couple were playing that banana word game...what's it called again?  I don't know!  I don't have time to spell anymore because I'm too busy knitting, spinning and scooping paca poo!

Ok, Happy Holidays!  Ba Hum Bug!  Let it Snow!  Happy Solstice!   Ho Ho Ho!

I'm knitting, I'm knitting, I'm...knitting!

In case you haven't heard me bellyache enough, I've started another knitting project called the Clapotis or Clap for short..  This time it's not on my handspun, it's from a delicious yarn I bought from YLYS (Your Local Yarn Shop) here in Battle Creek.  It's Lorna's Lace Hand Dyed Yarn and the color is called Vera.  One of my Ladybugs is a Vera.  See, this damn scarf is going to happen!

So, I cast on and messed up.  I cast on again with the help from Elizabeth, home from college.  All is going good then...row 10.  At this point we are with friends knitting and I realize that I have knitted row ten about five times...no increase.  Holly frogs the knitting for me and tells me to start over. 

I do...and I mess up again.

I cry....oh, boy did I cry! 
Holy Paca Poo, I let it all out!
It wasn't about the knitting, it was about my dad but boy that knitting sure did set it off.

I threw my knitting on the floor because that's what a temper tantrum includes and I worked on another boring scarf.

The next day, Holly sent a few of us who are knitting the Clap a link to a spreadsheet that would help with the knitting design.  Did it ever!  If you are searching around on the blog, it's on the right above the reindeer.  Really!

Well, I waited until the kids went to bed and Survivor started I cast on.
I knitted.
I increased.
I knitted.
I increased.
Then I got to row 12.  Holy Paca Poo!
SSK
What on earth is SSK and where is my knitting abreivation chart?
I'll Twitter the question!  I'll google in the mean time.

Slip Slip Knit

Not Super Sassy Knitting, go figure!

Well, I knitted it and I owned it and apparently I did it correctly.  Will wonders never cease? 
Get it!  Wonder...and you wondered why?

Anyways, I kept going and made it to Section 2.  I made it through the first row of increases and realized I had missed a stitch or something.

PFB  it got me!

Holly looked it over and quickly saw where I was goofy.  I quick move of my knitting needle and we were off and running.  Section 2, you're mine tonight!

I am going to conquer the Clap with my ZPDK! 

Cry Me a River

Things I learned this weekend:

1.   I'm Emotional
2.   Knitting makes me cry but scrapbooking doesn't
3.   I really am a terrible knitter but that won't stop me from trying
4.   I am a really awful cook unless it involves a box or can (even that is suspect)
5.   I have a wonderful and amazing husband (and I should tell him that more often)
6.   My children giggle which leads me to giggle so we giggle together
7.   Scooping frozen alpaca poo IS NOT FUN!
8.   We have too much clutter in our lives (and in our homes..particularly my father's apartment)
9.   Always check font size when printing knitting patterns from websites (you might cut off important information, like row increases)
10. If you can't cry in front of friends, who can you cry in front of.  (I love you, ZPDK)

 

Twas the week before Christmas..

The week before Christmas and all through the house
Toys in the way and dirty laundry to wash
The tree is all decorated, the baking not done
Have Eggnog and Baileys to mix with my rum


The children all nestled in the sty they call a room
The floors a mess because I can't find the broom
The alpacas are fed and snug for the night
My knitting still gives me a fright

So I'm going to ignore the mess and avoid the mall
Most gifts will be handmade,  lots of yarn and felted balls
I'll sit and I'll spin and try to find my zen
Until Santa hires me a maid to clean this pig pen.

Merry Christmas to all...


Merry Christmas to all...

 Yup, that's all I got.

Now back to writing thank you notes for all the donations made in honor of my Dad. 
More companies to call to inform them he's gone so I can have the awkward, "I'm sorry" and my even more awkward, "It's ok." 

Why? 

BECAUSE IT'S NOT OK!
I lost my Dad and my dog within three months of each other.

With both, I was the one to hold their hand as God took them from me.
I was the one that told them it's ok that they don't have to feel pain anymore.
I was the one that said we'd be ok without.
IT'S NOT OK!
I'm sad...I'm trying to be happy and goofy (because that's what's expected of me) but I'm not.

I'm hurting...I hurt so much.

Yup,...Cheers!

You've Got Mail!

I received a postcard in the mail today!  I am totally happy because it's from Mickey Mouse.  Yes, it really is.  Ok, it was sent by Holly when she took the Ogre and three Pigs to Disney but she got Mickey to sign it for me.

Your Pal,
Mickey Mouse

That's code for You are the love of my life and this Magical Kingdom doesn't mean anything unless you're in it.  Leave Grumpy Bear, Sister Bear and Brother Bear along with the Alpacas and come be my mouse bride.

Really,that's what it means!

Doesn't it?

Oh, please say it does.

I love you, Mickey Mouse

I'm going to spin you some Sassy Alpaca Yarn...can Minnie Mouse do that?  Didn't think so!

See, you're thinking about it aren't you!

Thank you, Holly!  You always find ways to keep me smiling!  xoxo

Alpacas, Christmas and Bears, Oh My!

Still trying to find "normal" at our house.  Not a day doesn't go by that I want to pick up the phone and call Dad to tell him something funny the kids did or just to say hello.  I read about families with their Christmas Traditions and I realise that ours have included my Dad since we got married.  He would come to our house Christmas afternoon so the kids could show him everything Santa brought and share in our joy.

He would make his buckeyes and chex mix every year.  He always made other goodies too but those were his best and he always made way too much.  My sister is making the mix this year...she actually started making it a few years ago because the last few years Dad spent Christmas in the hospital.  We didn't spend the actual Christmas with him until late January last year...yes, finding "normal" will be interesting. 

For so many years, if Dad wasn't here with us, I was driving back and forth to Henry Ford to see him.  Things we have tried to do (to start tradition) always got waylaid with Dad's health.  My kids and my husband have been very patient with me as I struggled between being a good wife and mother and being a good daughter.  They have also been very good to me as I struggle with grief because I miss my dad so much.  I give my kids extra hugs and know in my heart that Dad is with us but it is still hard. 

 

Meanwhile I've been busy organizing his apartment so we can move all his stuff out of there since we already gave notice.  I have the furniture taken care of and most of the cupboards empty, medical stuff returned to med supply companies or ready to be donated so now I need to go through his clothes.  Suits, blazers and even a tux.  He wasn't called Sexy Rexy for nothing...that man knew how to dress.  I couldn't believe how many ties he had...I will definately keep a few set aside for Brother Bear.  He has already taken a liking to dressing up like his Papa.

Handsome Brother Bear

One thing hasn't changed though...my alpaca herd keeps growing.  Really, (famous last words) I am not buying any more alpaca!  Really! 

Junebug arrived here today curtiousy of the 4 Muskateers and she is so darn adorable!  Nancee already has been working with her on the lead and she was walking beautifully.  Our girls gave the traditional butt sniffing hello and they were off deciding who was going to hang with who.  So far, Junebug is partial to our Suri, Confetti Reign.  I still find it interesting when a new alpaca comes to the farm that they always gravitate to a like colored alpaca regardless if it's Suri or Huacaya.  Ok, you would think that she would be with Sprite since they are both white but...she knows she has that brown "T" on her butt so she has decided to be with our beautiful multi.

Monday the school had their annual Christmas pageant and this year it was called Holiday Zoobalee.  Brother Bear was a Cheetah.  I asked why he wasn't a bear and he said that the music teacher didn't have any bears at the zoo.  No bears?  I asked him if he informed her that he's a bear not a cheetah and he said no.  Oh well, to find the silver lining I figured that Brother Bear has learned to camoflauge himself so he will be better equiped to hunt when he gets older.

I got our annual Christmas photo even though I am not sending out cards this year...so enjoy Brother Bear and Sister Bear dressed in their finest.

Sister Bear also informed me today that in ten years she'll be nineteen.  Thank you, Sister Bear.  I needed that reminder.

Well, we are going to try to find some new holiday traditions this year...I think scooping holiday alpaca poo should be one of them, what do you think?

That's what I thought...well, we'll figure something out and I'm sure it will be full of WONDER!