A new meme for Scout

Scout’s Meme:
1. How and when did you learn how to knit/crochet? Who taught you?

I learned as a child, around 10 to 12 years of age. My mom taught me. She is an awesome craftster, having far exceeded me in what she has learned and done. Besides knitting and crochet, she also sews, quilts, has painted in oil and acrylics, as well as refinishing furniture and collecting and restoring antiques. Her cross-stitch is exquisite and she has made extraordinary crocheted bedspreads and tablecloths that boggle the mind.

2. How has this craft impacted your life? (besides financially!)

After my second child was born, I suffered from post-partum depression. Quiliting became my therapy. The quilting community became my support group. Having something besides my home and children that brought praise and encouragement gave me a broader vision of who I was and that was the key to my recovery from depression. I'm not saying it would work for everyone but it was my salvation. Since then, when I hit periods of depression, I will find a new project to work on. It is so theraputic to be able to just sit and meditate and knit. Tension melts away and there is always something positive at the end (well, almost always - if not, then we get to frog it).

3. Pick at least one person to talk about who you have met through the knit-world and why you are thankful to have met them. Feel free to get all mushy.

I've got to mention Sheepish Annie because she is just too hilarious for words. She is just a source of pure joy and laughter everyday. I don't have large amounts of time to check all the blogs I enjoy but I check hers every time I log into the internet. No matter how lousy my day might be otherwise, I can always count on her blog to give me a chuckle. I also have to mention livnletlrn because she is one of the first homeschool/knitters I found and we struck a friendship right off the bat. I love her style of homeschooling and always check in to see what fieldtrip they've been on last. She also has a wonderful sense of knitting style and I am always looking to her for pattern ideas. She even sent me the pattern from one of her latest FO's, which I love and am hoping to make as soon as the Christmas gift rush is over. I am so thankful for internet friends like these who brighten my life everyday.


4. Comment and let me know when you post this in your blog so I can read them all.

Done!

Mobius done and slippers, too.

Voila! The pictures of my progress, as promised. Three of the eight pairs of slippers are now embellished and Mobius is finished and in use.

I've also started a new project with some yarn my darling Mom sent to me along with my birthday gift. She is always hitting the local thrift stores and often scores yarn at amazing prices. This is an older brand yarn that is an 85% wool/15% acrylic in a lovely tan color - at 50 cents a skein!!!! She has developed a wool allergy, so she passed this along to me. I've started Shifting Sands by Grumperina (a.k.a. Kathy) and I LOVE this pattern. She recommends learning how to cable without a cable needle (and has a tutorial on her blog, too - how cool is that), which I promptly did and !ZOWIE! what a difference that makes. This is working up fast and fabulous. This will be a Christmas gift for someone as well, although I haven't decided for whom yet. I'll post a picture of my progress as soon as I have better light for a photo.

It's been a long weekend. DS had his first hockey tournament of the season. They lost the first game 1-2, which they could have won because they out shot the other team 27-9. The other goalie was just very good. DS got the only goal of the game but I didn't get to see it because I was home nursing a feverish DD#3. I left DD#3 home with DD#1 for game 2 because it was a day game and the our boys won that one 5-1, again dominating offensively, outshooting the other team 4 to 1. DS had two assists but no goals. Today's game was a much closer game in the shots-on-goal category but our goalie pulled off a shut out, allowing us to win 3-0. No goals or assists for DS but he had 4 shots on goal, including one rocket off the post. A great ending to the weekend but very draining for this very enthusiastic hockey mom.

We have an away tourney next weekend. I'm praying that everyone else avoids this virus DD#3 had over the weekend and we're all healthy for the trip. We have family in the town where the tournament is being held, so we're really looking forward to this tournament. I'm looking forward to no dishes or chores for the weekend, so I can devote the down time to more Christmas knitting. I also know that there is at least one knit shop in town that I'll have to schedule a field trip to. Woohoo, hockey and knitting. It doesn't get much better than this!

Something picture-worthy soon

I'm in the Christmas gift finishing rush this weekend. I've got four pair of slippers in the washer as I type and plans to embroider and embellish a whole bunch of slippers this weekend. I'm heading out shortly to get sticky stuff to put on the bottoms to make them non-skid. So I'm hoping to have some lovely pictures to post, soon. Woohoo, I'm on a roll!

Some other gifts are in the works but they may have to wait because the friends they are for check in here from time to time. I'm also hoping to finish a couple of purses/bags, while on break. We'll see how much time I have. I'm off to shop.

Slippers, slippers and more slippers

It's been a pretty boring knitting life lately. Christmas knitting this year is one of those mixed blessings I've been blogging about lately. I was delighted to find a pattern that worked up fast, uses up some of the coned wool yarn that I've had clogging up my stash closet for so long and would work for a variety of dance teachers, hockey coaches and friends/family. But now that the pattern is learned, I'm getting bored.

Fortunately, there have been quite a few great movies on TCM lately and with the holidays approaching, there will be even more holiday movies. Old movies are my favorite thing to knit to. I've seen them before, so I don't necessarily have to watch to follow the action but still can "see" the movie in my imagination while I pay attention to my knitting (a bonus of being a highly visual person). Yesterday I enjoyed Desk Set with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. This morning I got to see Top Hat with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. And the Star Trek marathon this past weekend was a treat as well. I know that many people work to books on tape or to music, but old movies are my favorite knit-along activity.

On the progress side, two more pair of slippers completed for dance teachers (one pair to go) and one slipper done for a hockey coach (at least 2 pair more to go, 1 more if I include our manager). I've emptied one cone of yarn so far and am down to a smidge of yarn left on two more cones, so I'm making progress on clearing out some of the stash yarn, too.

I celebrated my birthday this past weekend, as well. I was served breakfast in bed and received and handmade quilted table topper made by DD#1. The family did extra chores and let me knit and watch old movies. I also was taken out to lunch by my DH and have been promised a special handmade weaving board I've been wanting for awhile. I just need to go to the hardware store with him to pick out the materials so he can make it for me this week. I also received several great backrubs from DD#2 and DD#3. DS played his heart out in two games this weekend, dedicating his games to me. Who could ask for more?!? Even though the family lacked the funds to buy expensive gifts, everyone worked hard to find a way to make my birthday meaningful by using their gifts and talents to bless me. WOW! I was blown away by the creativity and kindness and thoughtfulness that everyone put into my weekend. I am blessed!!!

Just pictures

Hockey KAL Bears
Two more pair of Christmas slippers
A sunset snapped by DD#1 last Wednesday
Mobius, before sewing down embellishment and felting

Blessings in disguise

Well, I've got the nasty sore throat my DH had last week. I've been nursing it all weekend by resting in bed, trying to knock it out quickly so I can get back on schedule on Monday. But with Christmas around the corner, it has actually been a blessing in disguise because I could spend the time working on knitting gifts.

I managed to finish the remaining slippers on my "absolutely necessary" list, finished another slipper on my "would really be nice to get done" and started yet another. I also managed to finish the first bear for my Hockey KAL during the Gopher/Wild double header last night and start another. Since the Wild are playing again tonight, I'm going to try to finish the knitting on the second bear tonight.

The only good thing about being sick is realizing you have a wonderful family that is willing to take on the housework and let stay you in bed and knit and watch old movies and hockey all weekend. There is also the added blessing that my DH already had this, so he knows exactly how miserable it is, so he's really empathetic. He is giving me lots of suggestions for how to treat the raging sore throat and other nasty symptoms of this particular bug. It makes me so thankful for my family, and especially for my DH, who has bent over backwards to take care of me while I moan and groan my way through this bug. It is so easy to take family for granted and I am so thankful that they can really step up and take over when I'm down. I am so blessed!

Letting go and trusting the words

I just finished knitting the Mobius Bag from Knit It! Fall 2006. I don't have the pictures to upload yet, as I need to sew down the I-cord embellishment and felt it but I did feel the need to blog about the knitting process on this particular project.

As a highly visual person, I tend to translate words into pictures. It's just the way my brain works. I've been learning much more about that recently because I've been reading a couple books on spacial/visual thinkers because DD#3 is showing strong indications of being an even more extreme type of visual thinker and they require special teaching techniques. It's been illuminating to learn about myself while trying to learn about my daughter's particular learning style.

I can remember back when I finally learned, however, to stop trying to visualize knitting instructions and just "do it". For years I had struggled because I tried to "see" the pattern before attempting to knit it. I had attempted socks but always got stymied by the heels because the instructions for short-rows didn't make sense to me. I couldn't "see" the end result, so everything would get all snarled up.

I finally gave up trying to figure out socks on my own and signed up for a class. At the last minute, though, the class was cancelled, due to lack of interest. Frustrated, I headed off to my LYS for knit night instead. I sat and fumed and pondered the issue. On my way out after musing over my own incompetence for several hours, I saw a sock kit with beautiful, Cherry Tree Hill yarn. I decided then and there that I was going to conquer socks or die trying. There was no way I was going to bypass all that fibery goodness because I was a knitting dunce.

I started the socks and got to my usual hang-up spot in the pattern - I read and re-read the instructions. I counted and re-counted stitches. The math didn't make sense and the pictures in my head would not cooperate. Then I closed my eyes and just released the pictures. I told myself to just read the words, let my hands follow the instructions and trust that the pattern writers knew what they were doing and it would all just work out without my having a strong vision of the process in my head first. Eureka! As the knitting progressed, then the pictures began to unfold in my head. It made sense but only after I let go and trusted the words first.

Now this may sound incredibly simple to some. Perhaps you've always followed the words without a picture in your mind and my mental quirks don't make sense. Or maybe you're even more visual and have no problems seeing the pictures, regardless of how convoluted the words make it seem. But it was the absolute epiphany of my knitting career.

Now, this long story was the prologue to my Mobius Bag story. It was a "let go and trust the words" kind of project. The picture of the bag didn't jive with what the instructions seemed to be saying, so my mental pictures were wrestling with the words initially. But I remembered my mantra and just followed the instructions and everything worked out just fine. It is actually quite a clever little bag and I can't wait to see how it felts up.

In reality, this process is a great analogy for faith in God. Sometimes when things don't make sense to us "logically," we just have to trust the Word. After all, "faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). When life is taking us for a ride and we try everything we can to control things that really are beyond our control, there comes a time when we need to let go and just take it on faith that "all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

Right now, because of things beyond my control, I am battling depression. It's all chemical, due to migraines and the weather. My life isn't horrible, so there isn't anything situational that I can place any blame on (besides a little stress and who doesn't experience stress). So even when things seem dark and hopeless, I am just letting go and trusting the Word when it says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." (Ephesians 4:4-9)

My Favorite Chair

Here is my little knitting world. My old recliner, inherited from my FIL, which perfectly fits my kinks. The side table, with enough room for my tea and snacks and all the clutter that knitting requires. The knitting companion that warms my lap without attacking my yarn or needles (unless they get too feisty - then swift and stern discipline is needed and expected). My DS snapped this pic Sunday evening as I worked away on yet another Christmas gift. I'd been there for several hours and it was a blissful, Sabbath rest for me and I am so thankful for these brief breaks of peace in my hectic schedule. (I think Koda enjoys them, too. She was completely sacked out!)

I also teach school from this recliner most days, since our basement school room is a little chilly right now. We haven't rezoned our heating system yet, so we're still schooling on the main level until we get the settings right and it's more comfortable downstairs. I wish I could clone this chair, though, and have one in every room of my house. Being a short person, having a chair with the right seat depth and arm rests that don't hitch my shoulders up to my earlobes and a neck pillow that is actually behind my neck and not hitting me in the back of the head is such a blessing. It's a great chair for snuggling little ones with books, too. When the older ones need help, a foot stool is pulled along side and books are placed on the arm rest and we can work together. I love this chair!

If I were a poet, I think I would write an ode to the perfect chair. But I'm not, so I'll just settle for this blog entry and head off to school my kids with a thankful heart and remember to send a little note to my FIL this week by way of remembering his sweetness in sending my favorite chair into my life.

Joining a new KAL

Well, even more proof that I'm a weak woman. I gave in and joined the Hockey Knitter's Knitalong, although I should really admit that I have no time for charity knitting right now. But The Mother Bear Project is really one I've wanted to get involved with for a long time. One of my favorite LYS has been actively involved, so I have an easy way to deliver my goods, not to mention an excellent excuse to visit the shop from time to time. Talk about motivation to finish a few bears.

I have no picture to show of my latest FO, only because it was finished in a hurry and delivered, pronto. A friend broke her ankle on Friday, had surgery on Saturday, was home on Sunday in a cast. So I started knitting Sunday night, fulled on Monday morning and delivered on Monday evening a still slightly damp toecozy. I'm hoping my friend will snap a photo of it in use and e-mail it to me, so I can post it on my blog later.

I adapted the felted clog pattern by eliminating the bottom portion of the clog and just casting on the full number of stitches needed for the top portion of the clog. I knit two rows then made two YO button holes in one end and knit 2 more rows before starting the top portion of the clog. I ended the top portion of the clog about halfway up and bound it off. I then picked up a few stitches under the front portion of the clog and knit a little lip, picking up stitches at each side by and k2tog with last stitch, making sure that I didn't increase the total number of stitches, since it only needed to cup underneath the edge of the toes and the cast a little. After it was finished, I embroidered three little roses and some chainstitched leaves, just to dress it up a little.

Well, off to my crazy running day. Ta-ta.

Flying Purple Widdershins Hockey Debut

I wore the Flying Purple Widdershins to the first hockey scrimmage tonight. When I came down, I showed them to my DS and announced their name. My DS, a natural born skeptic and having the normal, teenaged aversion to anything out of the realm of ordinary, wrinkled his nose and asked me not to announce to the parents or team what they were called. When I inquired as to why, he said the name was "weird." In other words, his mom would be considered weird for having socks with a weird name. Or maybe the fact that I name my socks at all is the weird part.

Needless to say, that got me thinking about what Widdershins might mean. So I googled it. I had to laugh. According to Wikipedia,

"Widdershins (sometimes withershins, or widershins) is a word which (usually) means anticlockwise, however in certain circumstances it can be used to refer to a direction which is against the light, i.e. where you are unable to see your shadow. It is cognate with the German language widersinnig, i.e., "against" + "sense". The term "widdershins" was especially common in Lowland Scots, and was known in Scottish Gaelic as tuathal, which uses the same root as tuath meaning "north", the opposite of widdershins is deiseil/sunwise. In the southern hemisphere, the sun actually goes anti-clockwise, but in the northern hemisphere, it goes clockwise, which is where the term "sunwise" originates from. Because the sun played a highly important role in primitive religion, to go against it was considered very bad luck."

Now, I've already stated that I don't believe in luck. But I did laugh that my hockey socks were named for something that 1) could be considered bad luck and 2) has an link to pagan religion (if you read further).

The scrimmage went well. The boys lost (2 - 4) but played extremely well. They were plagued by pentalties, not having adapted to the new rules quite yet but managed to kill a couple 5 on 3 penalties. My DS played defense the whole game and got an assist and managed to draw one penalty on a breakaway, all without getting a penalty himself. He played extremely well and I'm one proud hockey mom tonight.

Did the socks have any impact on the game? Well, my feet were warm. Quite toasty, in fact, even though I was working the penaltybox and was on the cold side of the rink. Therefore, score one for the Flying Purple Widdershins!

Catching my breath and catching up.

Whew! What a whirlwind week! Finally, a quick breather and an update. While frantically running around, I did get a little knitting done in the small snippets of time afforded a frantic homeschooling hockey/dance mom.

I officially have two and 1/2 pairs out of four planned pairs of slippers completed, with thoughts of expanding the total number by who knows how many. This pattern is really working up so fast and it is easy, now that I have the format of the structure figured out. With Sunday School teachers, dance teachers and hockey coaches to get thank you gifts for, the idea of whipping out slippers is very appealing. Since I have a huge stash of 100% wool worsted weight yarn I picked up for my knitting machine on clearance at $10 a cone last year in a bunch of colors, there would be virtually no added expense for me to make these this year. Clickety, clickety, whirrrr goes the brain as I try to figure out how many gifts I could make . . . And talk about the stash reduction this would result in. My DH would be in 7th heaven if I could get rid of the pile of coned yarn in my craft closet.

The blankets are a pair for twins due any time now. They were made from some lovely hand-dyed mohair boucle and hand-painted sock yarn, mixed with some of that coned yarn in white in a simple chevron pattern. I reversed the color stripes between the two blankets, so they were slightly different. They are deliberately layered so you can see one chevron of each colorway. They're going in the wash today, so they can be blocked and ready to be wrapped. I figured if Mom peeks now, she'll be okay, since she knows she's getting blankets from me, since I'm lousy at keeping secrets.

The socks are the ones started for Socktoberfest that never got finished. I was so engrossed with mastering the 2 in 1 process that they were the only completed socks I could truly boast of starting and finishing October. But socks are a year-round thing for me, so they will go on.

Now, I've been meaning to do this MEME for sometime but just now got around to it. So here it is:

48 Things You Could Care Less About

1. FIRST NAME? Lorraine
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Not that I know of.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Yesterday – a young man sang at our Academy and I teared up.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? When I pay attention, yes. When I’m rushed, no way!
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Roast beef.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I really don’t know. I’m quirky and a bit weird.
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? I have in the past but don’t currently.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? No.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I might, in the right context.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Coco Wheats (hot cereal)
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No way. I’m always too rushed.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically, no. Emotionally, yes.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Plain old chocolate.
14. SHOE SIZE? 8-1/2
15. RED OR PINK? Deep, dark red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I can’t put names to faces and I’m a very scattered conversationalist and easily distracted in crowds. Makes me socially awkward in public.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My departed cat Joey.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Go for it.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? I’m in an old black and red velour full-length gown that I recycled into a nightgown because I never attend formal events and the stretchy velour dress is a much more glamorous and sexy warm nightgown than anything else I’ve seen in the stores. No socks or shoes, just a red cardigan with pearl buttons over the nightgown to give it some class.
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Tapioca pudding (I woke up with a migraine and tapioca soothes my upset tummy)
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? DD#3 blow up a beach ball.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Red.
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Roses
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My DH.
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? The face – probably because I can never put a name to them.
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? I just found fellow Minnesotan Cori’s blog, so I’m just getting to know her. But who can help liking someone with such a cute baby.
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Coffee with lots of cream and Splenda.
28. FAVORITE SPORT? Hockey – Go Wild and Gophers!
29. EYE COLOR? Brown
30. HAT SIZE? No clue.
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Glasses only.
32. FAVORITE FOOD? Depends on what I’m craving. Right now, a good steak.
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I hate scary movies. Happy endings all the way.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Tough choice, but summer, I guess.
36. HUGS OR KISSES? Nothing beats a warm hug.
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Kentucky Butter Cake
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I have no idea.
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ???
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? In the Minds Eye by Thomas G. West and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? St. Thomas Alumni Association.
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Gopher Hockey – They won!
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Worship music, guitar, piano.
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Rolling Stones.
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? California or Arizona - I don't know the mileage.
46. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I can read upside down and backwards. No, seriously, I used to sing a lot. I also used to design costumes, quilts and currently teach knitting and other art classes to homeschooled kids.
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Riverside, California.
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I stole it from Cori.

Now, I've done a little checking but I can't figure out where #34 went. Anyone else know?

Too much of a good thing?

I'm beat. It's been one of those days when I ask myself what I was thinking.

To begin with, someone forgot to notify my fluffy knitting companion about the time change. So she's waking me at 3:00 am now, instead of 4:00. No matter how hard I try to go back to sleep after her attempts nuzzle, lick and paw my face, I just can't seem to doze back off. So this tired mama, knowing she had more things on her agenda today than were humanly possible to achieve anyway, pulled her sorry self out of bed and started her day at 3:30 am.

First on the list, Awana preparations. After 5 years as secretary, this stuff is pretty routine, so I downloaded Lime & Violet's latest podcast and enjoyed a hearty chuckle or two at their "Till Bill" Spoof while doing my data entry and clerical magic. Hey, I finished early and even visited a few favorite blogs (something I've had far too little time for lately) before heading out for my weekly Bible Study at 6 am. So far, so good.

Home after study to help DS#1 finish her "oops, I procrastinated too long" homework for some co-op classes she takes on Wednesdays. A frantic rush to finish several things before sending her out the door to catch her ride and I was flustered and winded but, whew, back to a semi-regular schedule. But, what's this!?! DD#2 is nearly done with her math book! Did I order the next one? Blast! Got to go online and get it ordered. This company takes a few weeks to get things out and I'm not willing to pay through the nose for faster shipping.

Well, this is a problem. Unfortunately, DH is sick. Really sick. But being the obsessive compulsive, er, I mean diligent, hard-working kinda guy he is, he will still work from home. So I needed to approach my poor, suffering husband to ask him to vacate the desk for awhile so I can use the computer. Now, ordinarily, this wouldn't be too big a problem. After all, he does have his work lap top and he doesn't use the home computer for work, except to listen to talk radio. But, as some of you may have experienced in your own lives, husbands don't make good sick people. They get a little cranky. So I had to be the good nurse and check his throat and make some hot tea and get him some ice cream for his raging sore throat to kind of smooth the way before asking to use the computer. Worked like a charm but took up extra time I really didn't have today.

So, I go online to order the books. I am literally on the computer for under 3 minutes and get up to find my purse and my DH makes a move to take back the desk. "Excuse me, I'm just getting my purse. I'm not done yet." DH replies with a growl, "How long you going to be?" "I don't know. I still have to pay for it. And, oh, by the way, when you told me you were working from home today, I did remind you that I needed the computer today. A lot!!!! Please bear with me when I ask for it, okay?" "GRRRRR!" Time for more ice cream, I guess. Or a tranquilizer.

Well, back to school with the kids. Math for the little girls, Argument homework for DS. Now, one of the challenges of homeschooling is the fact that you have multiple students in different grades on different subjects at the same time at any given moment. "Mom, I need help! How do you spell 'anticipate'?" "Mom, do I plus or minus?" "Mom, is my '5' backwards?" (This from my left-handed DS#3 who mirror writes and needs to be reminded to move out of Da Vinci mode from time to time.) I feel like I need a split personality some days to deal with the very disparate questions that gets thrown at me. I have to switch from single digit subtraction to the reasons why a rating system for children's comics would be impractical in a free market to what the four major bones of the skull are in a split second. Oh my, is my mind beginning to reel now. Okay, maybe it's time for lunch. I think my blood sugar is low.

Of course, in the midst of the school day, the phone rings and it's people calling with questions about DD#3's b-day party on Friday and the sports shop finally getting back to me with answers about DS's hockey team sweatshirts and my girlfriend calling back with the answer to a question about spelling programs. Then the doorbell rings and the groceries I expected to be delivered at 9 am arrive at lunch time. Before I get the groceries half put away, everyone is trying to eat things. "NO! I'm going to make lunch. Stop! Put the chips back! Don't open that!" I am eyeing that bottle of wine on the counter. No, it's too early for that. Then the keys by the back door start beckoning me. "Come, run away with me." No, I'm a responsible adult. I can do this. Just make lunch.

After lunch, it's time for the little girls' read aloud. We're halfway through Little House on the Prairie. But something starts to go horribly wrong before the end of the 2nd chapter of the day. I can't seem to keep my eyes open. I am slurring words, nodding off and garbling things up horribly. My DS, who wandered in to listen for a few minutes is looking at me with a very quizzical look in his eye. He starts correcting my speech. This is bad, real bad. I definitely need a nap. So I send the girls off to play and send Chris back to his argument class homework with a few instructions on how to structure his rebuttal. I head upstairs to rest for a little while but my DH hollers, "The e-mail you were waiting for just arrived."

Blast again! I have to go finish the hockey sweatshirt forms now. If they'd come a little later, I would have been justified in letting them wait until tomorrow. But now I had to finish them for practice tonight. So down I trudge, to the computer, which my DH seems more than willing to give up this time. Hockey is the magic key to opening doors in the heart of my DH. So a 30 minutes and the hockey form is done. I head back upstairs. But the nap is not destined to be.

I get another call, one I have to take. So I sit and fold laundry and talk on the phone for 45 minutes. The good news is I folded all the clean laundry, something that wasn't really on my list. The bad news, no nap. It was now time to finish getting ready for Awana. A few more finishing chores, feed the kids, get DS to hockey for practice, pick up the girls for Awana and spend the evening ministering to the greatest bunch of kids in the world. Come home and look at my list of accomplishments and go, "Wow!" And then wonder, what was I thinking?

Unfortunately, tomorrow looks even worse, with prep for our Academy classes on Friday, as well as shopping for DD#3's b-day party on Friday. And orthodontic appointments, DD#1's Bible study and Hockey pictures and practice and a kickboxing class I'd really like to go to, if I'm insane enough to actually think that I can do that, too. What am I thinking?

As far as knitting - I cast on for a third pair of slippers (the second pair were made yesterday) and knitted exactly 2 rows while I was at Bible study. Not much progress but better than nothing. At least Socktoberfest is officially over. I don't know how many socks I finished. I haven't counted. I still have 6 on the needles, so they'll keep moving forward. Now there is a new Hockey KAL that livnletlrn just told me about. How I'd love to join that one but charity knitting is just not in the picture right now. Or else I'd be really asking myself - WHAT WAS I THINKING!

I need some sleep. Good night!!!