Baseball

I do love baseball. And I especially love that the Red Sox are in the World Series. Go Sox!!

Congratulations!

I just got back from a wedding in Pensacola, FL. The groom was my cousin's son (making him my first cousin once removed). It was a beautiful weekend; I got to see my mom, 2 brothers and their wives, 2 aunts, and numerous other relatives. As much as I hate traveling, taking the time to go to FL was well worth the hassle of airline travel. Next weekend I'm off to Denver on business. The weekend after that is all r&r!

The Next Season

Okay, Leslie, this is mostly for you. We had our Spring 2008 photo shoot last week (well actually 1 day was last week, and 1 day was this week). I just finished looking at everything from the first day. It's funny with a photo shoot. During the day you think it's going pretty well, then the photographer tells you she's having trouble getting good poses/smiles/expressions/etc. Then you worry. Then you see the first set of lo-res pictures, and they look good. Then you try to find the perfect ones for the project at hand (in this case, marketing materials), and you realize that the photographer was having trouble getting good poses/smiles/expressions/etc. So you start to panic. Then as you progress, it all comes together, usually pretty well.

So, Leslie, here's a sneak peek. Enjoy!

Ravelry!

I finally received my Ravelry invitation - how cool! I can't even begin to fathom all the possibilities. I'm so excited. But it's created quite a to-do list: (a) buy a new camera to take pictures of all my stuff; (b) spend time uploading everything; (c) find new "friends" in Ravelry; (d) browse what everyone else is doing; (e) get great ideas for new projects - then find the time for new projets (yeah, right); (f) take a deep breath because this is just so much fun!

I know the sun is shining, but I just want to play with Ravelry...

Busy Busy

Isn't it amazing how busy we can be? And then somehow something NEW gets added to our already full plate, and we find time to fit it in?

Work is like that for me right now. I thought I was really busy, then two key people in the organization went out on extended leaves, making more work for me (which is really okay - they couldn't help it), and I'm still managing to get most of the work done, somehow. I always wonder what I'm NOT doing now that I was doing before that made me feel so busy before. Apparently it wasn't that important. [On a side note, if I don't find time for a pedicure soon, my mostly-unpolished nails will be hanging off the ends of my sandals!] But when I was doing all that work before I did think it was important. Perspectives sure can change with circumstances.

We're expecting an awesome weekend weather-wise. I'm planning to sit on the beach a bit, knit a bit, read a bit, play with darling C a bit (well probably a lot). And try not to be so busy - just for a couple of days.

Show me your teeth!

We all had a great day yesterday. It was sunny and warm, but not too warm. I cooked like crazy, preparing a meal for two different cancer-fighting families. I don't cook much any more, and spending time in the kitchen for others was very rewarding. And on Saturday I cleaned my office - how rewarding is THAT! All in all a nice way to spend two days off.

Bright sun is predicted for the rest of the week - little Miss C. is prepared. And she loves to show off her teeth!

Why I don't like September.

I've been married to an educator for many many years (too many to convey). When he was a teacher, he usually had the summer off. There were a few years when he worked at a summer school, but not too many. As an administrator, he works for most of the summer, but it's a whole different kind of work. The level of intensity drops. Each day is without the arrival of 400+ little guys on the doorstep. The end of day can be earlier, without faculty wanting a bit more of the principal's time. Which leaves more time for family; less stress during the week; a more relaxed atmosphere at home. Ah, summer.

Guess what. The kids are back. The workload is huge. The principal's time is in high demand. At home time in the evening is sparse. We are more intense. Every September my life changes. I don't like September.

There. I said it.

Birthdays

Monday was my birthday. I'm way too old to celebrate birthdays, but they come each year whether we like it or not. My family cooked me a great dinner and we hung out a bit; my son called from California; I received some nice gifts; all in all it was a very nice birthday.

It got me thinking about birthdays. In October, my son will have a birthday. This is the year he is making transitions - job, home, relationships - I hope he sees this upcoming birthday as a new start.

Granddaughter C (who wished me "happy day" on Monday) will turn 2 in December. Her mother will be at the end of her chemo treatments. We will ALL be celebrating.

In January, my mother will turn 88. Hard to believe!

Just a few thoughts. If today is your birthday, have a happy one.

Summer

Most summers, I can't wait to be outside, usually in the sun. This summer has been so odd. By most measures, it's been glorious weather here in the northeast - way better than in the middle of the country! But I can't seem to get myself motivated to do anything. Saturday I finished a great book, Water for Elephants (which I HIGHLY recommend), and today I finished a book I started a long time ago, Simple Genius, a good lazy afternoon read, but nothing startlingly great.

Now what.

I should go for a walk, but I don't want to. I should pick up my knitting, but I'm at a crazy place and have to really think hard and do it well - not just mindless knitting. And I don't have the energy. I could watch the ball game, but even that seems like too much effort.

I need a life...

More Books

Our book club conversation about Snow Flower and the Secret Fan was really interesting. We realized that many of the books we have read, and will be reading this fall, have themes that go back to mothers, and mother/child relationships. Not all our books are set in contemporary settings, so we can look at mother/child and husband/wife relationships across many centuries and cultures. Cultural traditions (foot binding, for example) and "the times" change, and I'm not sure we can always put ourselves back into the time in question. For instance, in 19th century China, the subordination of a wife to her husband was commonplace. Yet in our discussion Monday, many of us had a hard time imagining that role - would we have been able to stand it? would it have seemed the "natural order" of things? how do you fight what you know is somehow wrong, when all of your culture is acquiescing? Hmm.

Our next book is The Memory Keeper's Daughter. An interesting study in moral issues, husband/wife relationships, and human dynamics. I can't wait!

Reading Group

Are you in a reading group? I am in a great group. We have a lot of fun when we get together, and we do actually talk about the book we read. I just finished July's book, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See. I really enjoyed it, and it's a great read for a women's reading group (which ours is). Our next book is The Memory Keeper's Daughter which I read last year and will probably re-read before our September discussion. There are some moral issues in this book. which should make for lively discussion. Our book group has a web site which makes it easy to remember what books have been chosen, contact members via email, etc. We call ourselves Bookworms Boston. Enjoy!

Go Sox!

The Red Sox are back on track, thank goodness. I had a busy family weekend with busy little C. My daughter made progress health-wise -- more tests today -- and I got some knitting done.

Do you like corn on the cob??

Beaches

Just so you know, this post is NOT about Bette Midler's movie. I love the beach. I grew up in the midwest, where our swimming was done in a pool. Now that I have access to beaches and salt water, I can't get enough of them! Unfortunately I haven't had much beach time this summer, but last weekend we WERE able to go, and we had a blast. Sun, Surf, Sand - what more could a girl want!

Moms

I have two children. My daughter is 34 (and the proud mother of my g'daughter), and my son is 31. I love them both dearly. They have both had struggles of late and I have tried my best to be "there" for them both. When you have children, I don't think it occurs to you that they will be your babies all your life. No matter how old they get, you want to help them, fix their boo-boos, let them make good decisions. And just when you think they've left you and are on their own, they come back. They need you again. It's one of life's pleasures and one of life's burdens all at the same time. My son started a new job last week - an exciting and terrifying experience all at the same time. I send him virtual hugs every day. My daughter will be struggling with a health issue for awhile. I want to hug her, tell her it's going to be okay (which it will be) and support her every minute. Some days it's easy. Some days my own life intrudes and I can't be there for her, and that's hard. We all just do the best we can. Hug your kids every day you can. Be the best you can be - it's all we can do.

Time marches on

Yesterday was my wedding anniversary. My 37th wedding anniversary. I'm not going to show photos - you can use your own imagination to visualize what the wedding party in 1970 looked like.

How did this happen? I don't feel old enough. I hope I don't look old enough. But time marches on.

Let's focus on the positive! Two weeks of vacation are looming, the beginning of which includes at trip to the Catskills and my niece's wedding. The whole family will be there (well amost the whole family), so it will be entertaining as well as emotional. Weddings always get to me. (Can you believe I've been married 37 years???)

C came for a long visit recently. What a cutie.

Waterplay at the Providence Children's Museum.

Chinese Thursday

We have a Thursday tradition in our office. We all order Chinese food together. There are about four restaurants to choose from. We call them Good Chinese, Cheap Chinese, Bob's Chinese (because Bob told us about the place), and then there's the default place. Today we're having Cheap Chinese because it's close and - well - cheap. Yum! Yesterday I said I'd finished a sweater - well I kind of mis-spoke. I finished knitting the pieces, but last night I spent quite awhile sewing it all together. And now I have to knit the button/neckbands, find buttons, and sew them on. Photos next week? I sure hope so! Next project? I think I'm going to tackle a Hannah Falkenberg called Ballerina. I saw it elsewhere and fell in love with it. It's a big and complex project, so I may also start a backup project - a lace wrap (or big scarf) from Interlude, a beautiful linen/silk blend with a nice sheen. But I really should be doing something for granddaughter C. I finished a cabled vest not long ago, but it won't fit her long. How about something summery? Maybe so. I don't think she should wear this little coat all summer long because it's the only handknit she has!Happy Thursday.

It's all about balance

I've just returned from a business trip. It was exhausting! I have all the usual follow up things to do - making phone calls; handling orders; creating new business opportunities. What I really want to do is just sleep and knit. Sleep and knit.

I did get to see loads of friends. I spent awhile with one special friend who I only see at shows. Hi Leslie - say hi to your sybs and mom too! We always have fun picking out knitting projects. She found some good ones on this trip!

Now it's all about the usual regain-control-of-the-house issues: I think I am now caught up on the laundry, but I dropped off about $75 worth of dry cleaning this morning; I have to do a big grocery store trip or it will be pizza for awhile; and I need to get caught up on my bill paying. All I really want to do is sleep and knit. Did I say that already?

While I was gone, H took granddaughter C to see the Clydesdales! I love Clydesdales. I have always loved them. When H was less than 2 years old, we went to a parade specifically to see them. There is a horse farm in New Hampshire, and that's where C got to see her first Clydesdales. I'm jealous that I wasn't along for the trip, but thrilled that she got to see them.

The weekend before, we spent some time at the beach. C loved collecting rocks with her Daddy. She's getting so big... I finally got two of my gardens planted (one more to go). I can't wait to be there this summer.

Oh. And I finished another knitting project. Photos later.

Happy Holiday!

I have to say that I really love Memorial Day. Not only is it the start to summer, but it's the first work holiday after New Year's, and that is a really long stretch. I'm also a sucker for parades, and am looking forward to the little one we have in our small town of Westport, MA. It's all about vets, local business people, and most of all, kids. Top all that off with some wonderful weather (we hope), and it's a perfect combination.

Enjoy YOUR holiday weekend. Summer's finally here!!

Woolly Weekend

What a great weekend! Beautiful weather, and a great trip to the New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival in Contoocook, NH. R & I gathered up granddaughter C, and off we went. It was so neat to see her check out the animals, from sheep to llamas to alpacas and goats. And a couple of great rabbits too! R especially liked the Border Collies, herding those sheep around the fields. I found some bison (buffalo) fiber that is fabulous. It comes from the Still River Mill in Eastford, CT. Here's what the tag says: "This yarn is lovingly crafted from 100% American Bison Fiber. It is collected from hides using a revolutionary new enzymatic process that allows the fiber to be removed from the hide without shearing it. This along with our thorough de-hairing process has resulted in the finest buffalo produts ever produced." And I have to tell you, it is really soft! Sorry about the horrible photo. I need to work on my photography skills. I have 240 yards of this very deep blue color ... now what should I knit?

Could it be ... spring???

Should be almost 70 degrees today. I'm wearing sandals. Even though it's Saturday and I'm at work, it's a pretty good day when you can wear sandals in April in New England.