Semester Awards

It seems like I was just there with Pumpkin.

I think Peanut was even wearing a hand me down shirt from Pumpkin. Now, that will be confusing when we look back on this many years from now!

MISERABLE!

Peanut came home from school yesterday afternoon in tears from an ear ache. I guess it really started hurting on the bus ride home. I called the doctor and we got an appointment. I was thrilled.

It was short-lived. The wait was horrendous! The pain was horrendous! It tried my patience.

As a distraction, I snapped this photo on Peanut's fancy iPod app.

It says it all! We were at witt's end!


I am happy to report that a dose of ibuprofen stopped the pain and the antiobiotics will treat the infection. It's been so long since he's had an ear infection. If he has his way, he'll never have another one. He's already told me that he never wants to go back to that doctor's office! I just may send them a letter and tell them!

Something is in the Air

Last night while waiting for swim practice to end and waiting for dinner, Buddy went a bit silly! He tried his darndest to climb up in our chair. Needless to say, we were all crushing the Big Guy. I don't know what was in the air, but it had Buddy on his crazy side.

The sun is shining today. After seeing all the photos of the NE and all the snow, I decided I needed to get out in the air. I borrowed Pumpkin's winter jersey, added my RoadID, grabbed my water, donned by gloves, snapped my helmet and got on my bike. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I wasn't too cold even with the wind. It was a workout and my muscles are going to be sore. Talk to me tomorrow. As for today, I got all the fresh air I needed!

Promise Me

Peanut was not feeling well yesterday. Actually, he had a slight fever on Monday night and a scratchy throat. He woke up on Tuesday feeling a bit blue. I was a softy and let him stay home.

I am grateful that his illness wasn't anything more! And, I used it as my excuse to read another book. I finished Promise Me by Nancy Brinkler. As I was reading it, I thought everyone who knows anyone affected by breast cancer needs to read this story. You could even extrapolate it to anyone with cancer. The growth of the Susan G. Komen organization is absolutely amazing. I enjoyed learning the history and will participate in the Race for Cure with insight and appreciation. One underlying message is for the patient to be the patient's advocate. You know yourself the best and need to stand up for what you know.

Nancy Brinker is a character as stated by her sister and as told throughout the book. Her commitment to fight against breast cancer is inspirational. The book is insightful. I wanted to keep reading to learn more. As women, we have to be educated and do our part to minimize the impact of breast cancer.

Sunday Highlights

I did it! I finished the Mason Dixon Baby Kimono - just in time for the shower Sunday afternoon. I was not happy with the ribbon fretting over my options until the very last minute. I used Mission Falls 1864 Cotton. The yarn was wonderful to knit with and hides any tension issues that might be present. I am not sure it is the softest baby yarn, but after washing it softened up. I made the pattern a bit bigger crossing my fingers that it fits the baby in fall/winter of next year. Worst case, the baby may squeak in a few wears this spring before it gets too warm. If I make the pattern again, I'd knit matching icord and use that to tie the sweater closed.


It was fun to see all the "new" baby things that are on the market. It did make me feel kind of, sort of old!

After the shower, we had fondue for dinner. What a fun meal that is. I made a pizza fondue inlieu of pizza this week. It was a hit with everyone. I have more Chantal burner gel left. We just might have fondue for the Superbowl.

WACKO!

Buddy loves to ride in the Volvo. If he sees you grab the keys off the hook, he is right there wagging his tail. A few weeks ago, he hopped in the back seat and went to pick Pumpkin up from the pool. By the time they got home, Buddy was curled up in Pumpkin's lap. Don't worry. Pumpkin was not driving. He was sitting in the passenger's seat. I think Buddy forgot that he is 65 pounds and not a lap dog.

Well. Yesterday he rode along again with the Big Guy. Pumpkin hopped in the back giving the front passenger seat to Buddy. Guess what? Buddy curled up on the floor of the passenger seat.

This photo was taken by the Big Guy on his Blackberry.

This is wacko! My only explanation is that there must have been a treat of some kind down there.

Who knows what space he'll claim the next time he gets into the car!

Here's another animal stating claim to an unusual space. Check out this link on npr. Apparently, live bait was not effective. Frozen quail was the ticket this weekend. They are going to pull some more out of the freezer to try and capture the hawk and move it to a "better" home.

Garage Door Opener Repair

When I ran to the craft store this afternoon, the garage door opener developed an illness. The Big Guy diagnosed it as a blown motor. Off to Home Depot he went and bought a new one.

Needless to say, the late afternoon and evening were consumed by the replacement of the garage door opener. Pumpkin was a great helper.

I stayed inside in the warmth!

I'm crossing my fingers that it works when they go to try the new door opener:)

They finished it up this morning. We are good to go with a new garage door opener. I am impressed!

Snow Day Number Three in 2011

All photos taken with Peanut's iPod using the Hipstomatic App

Gorgeous!!

Butterfly, Oh! My!

I only wish I was the one who took these pictures!

Gabrielle Rose Meet, weekend of 1/14/10.

Too Short!

What is it with pajama pants?

My flannels and my knit ones are all too short. And, no. My girth has not expanded. I don't know what it is, but I am blaming it on the washing machine. It might be a case of you get what you pay for. I've never been one to pay much for sleeping attire.

I made the executive decision to add the high waters to the Goodwill bag. While I was organizing my jammies, I found a few others to add to the bag. After Peanut was born, I bought two sets of shortalls. They were perfect for the summer and perfect for nursing. I guess I've gotten more modest in my "old" age. Or, I just don't like exposing all that skin. I put them in the bag too. It took some convincing. Why did I care? I haven't worn them in a few years.

I guess it is just sentimental taking me back to the days when my baby was eensy weensy!

My Knitting Bag

For Christmas, my oldest sister gave me a knitting bag. She made it! It was packed with a knitting magazine, a gc for my lys, and a some chocolate to keep me smiling.

I schlepped the bag to the pool this weekend. There was lots of good swimming to be had!!

I got some knitting done, but not enough! I am making a baby shower gift and the shower is in 6 days! I am using the Mission Falls cotton to make a baby kimono sweater. I've never made one. The directions are easy enough. I just hope it lives up to my expectations!!

I finished the book, The Art of Racing in the Rain. The book is written from the dog's perspective. I loved that and continue to look at Buddy wondering what he is thinking. That is - - if dogs can really think! This book has it all. It is enjoyable, sad in moments, thought provoking, and I learned about car racing.

I stopped in to my lys on Thursday. I used my gift certificate to buy this scarf pattern, Molly. The yarn caught my eye from across the store. It is Classic Elite Liberty Wool in the Rainforest colorway. Love it! I just have to finish my other wips before I start something else!!

Thank you, Rita! I love my bag and am so excited to make myself a scarf!!

Sky Chair Fun

On New Year's Eve, Gina and Neil got to try out our Sky Chairs. The weather was perfect for that time of the year.

The chairs will make anyone smile:)

Bank Drive Thru

Checking off the driving milestones~

Using the drive thru teller!

Go Ducks!

Peanut's been a long time Duck's fan.

Instead of a snowman, he built an O. He used water with food coloring to spray it green.

Pumpkin is cheering for Auburn. He tried to build an Auburn A in the snow, but it fell - poor design.

We'll see how it all turns out tonight!!

Morganshire Snow

In front of our house after sled riding

Snow Day 2011!

Last night I made Chicken Pot Pie and Peanut embellished the top with a snowman. We were all hopeful the flakes falling from the sky would amount to something.

Sure enough. We ended up with 4-6 inches by this morning. School was cancelled by 9pm last night. What a treat!

We rounded up the family and headed out for a walk in the snow. There is nothing better to lift your spirits. I got to wear my BOGS. Wahoo! They kept my feet toasty. Peanut got to wear my "old" snow boots. I am not the best mom as far as winter gear goes for my boys. We just don't use it too often here. I'm all for making due with what you've got.

It was snowing so hard that I could not get a "clean" shot. Those lime green pants have such a history. They were pulled on for many snow storms in PA. They are not to fashionable, but they keep you dry.

Buddy kept losing the ball in the snow. By the time we came in he had balls of snow hanging on his fur. He seemed to love every minute of it.

I shoveled the driveway and am mustering up the energy to go sled riding with the boys.

It's not supposed to get too warm. I just wonder if they'll be in school tomorrow - one of the perks of snow in the South. We don't have any real equipment to get the snow off the roads.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Picture from http://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Life-Henrietta-Lacks/dp/1400052173/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294451149&sr=8-1

This is my first read for 2011.

Wow! This book made me think. It does so with a compelling story paralleled by the scientific advances.

We recently went to the Civil Rights Museum. So, I started the book purely focusing on the potential acts of discrimination whether they were racial and/or economical. Further into the book, the scientist in me marveled at how revolutionary the HeLa cells were and still are. By the end, I appreciated the insight and was extremely grateful to the Lacks family.

Scientific research is necessary. Thank you, HeLa!

New Bike::New Pedals

Pumpkin got a new bike for Christmas.

It's got LOOK pedals.

We had a few minutes of okay weather and Pumpkin got to try it all out.

We'll need to adjust the handle bars a bit.

But, he is just about good to go...when the weather cooperates.

There will be no way to keep up with him now!

Buddy Picture

Peanut took the best picture of the puppy dog. He took it on his new iPod.


Who needs a fancy schmancy camera?

Silly New Year's Eve Photos

More fun (after the champagne) with Peanut's iPod using the reverse camera feature. Too cool!

National Civil Rights Museum

It is always nice when family comes in. It makes us be tourists in our own city.

On Thursday, we visited the National Civil Rights Museum. I've wanted to go for some time and this visit did not disappoint. The museum is at the Lorraine Motel, the site of MLK's assasination.

They say pictures are only permitted in front of this scuplture. I tried to look up more info on the sculpture, but did not find out anything after a quick search.

Here is my sister's family~

Here is my family~

We took the audio tour. It was informative. There is so much to read. You could spend hours there - until your brain goes into overload! I kept having to remind myself that this all happened close to the year I was born. In lots of ways, we've made lots of progress with equality. In other ways, it seems like there are still some challenges to overcome.

I agree with MLK's peaceful approach. If peace would shine in 2011, we'd all be better off!

New Year's Eve 2010

A little video recorded on Peanut's iPod after just a few glasses of champagne~



Buddy made himself at home with the boys:)

Pumpkin stayed up later last night. Buddy climbed on his bed and snuggled in making it difficult for Pumpkin to get to bed. Love it!