I didn't get the Memo

You know, the one that told parents how active the social life of a 5 year old can be.  Good gracious - soccer,

scarecrow festival,

family party and farm visit.  All in one weekend. 

When is a gal supposed to have time to knit?

One of the very few times

I find myself in agreement with Prince Charles.

Trashy, you've been holding out on us.

Secular Austrailia hails their first Catholic Saint - click here.

Lean more about Mary McKillop - St. Mary of the Cross - click here.

Submit your prayer request. (click here)

Life in Kindergarten

One big party!  Two parties this weekend - super hero party yesterday:

Lego party this evening.  And because tomorrow is a Federal holiday, playdate in the morning :)
Scarecrow building party on the 23rd, then another birthday party on the 30th.
Ahhhh! To be 5 again....

Need to Groove?

Weekend in Review

After soccer Friday night on the school field and a trip to the National Zoo


we went to a birthday party Sunday afternoon.

This is Biscuit - the birthday girl's gift!

Our gift (pictured here -->) included a puppy-pal (cuddly puppy stuffed with buckwheat that you warm in the microwave so the real puppy doesn't miss his mommy so much), a chic leash-attaching satchel containing a roll of puppy-waste collecting baggies, a squeaking monkey (EVERY new puppy needs a squeaking monkey!), and a Halloween costume :)




In knitting news I am happy to report that I have been sock knitting.  I am also sad to report that I am a-d-d-i-c-t-e-d to Ravelry.  The forums, they suck me in and drain my days away!  So much useless information and needless drama.  It is better than reality teevee :)

How fun is

THIS?

Oh! To live in the UK... :sigh:

ps: The conversion is complete.  Two of my most challenging "I can't knit" woman have succumb to the mesmerizing, gentle, soothing, click-click-click of needles and yarn held in-hand.  (Yes, Joan and Lourdes, I am talking about YOU!)

Testing...

I am "The Contented Knitter.  How about you?

Monday, Monday

Cue The Mamas and the Papas  Yesterday/Monday was a GREAT day at chez RMR! 

Apologies in advance for the very bad photography.  In my rush to document our good fortune, I couldn't find the "good" camera so settled for the "not so good".

We had an unexpected guest:

Mommy with Midnight - TLG's class mascot

TLG had an unexpected package:

TLG's "Back to School" package from Aunt S and Uncle T

And TWO packages for ME! The first from Wonderwoman who knows how much I love both The Knitter Magazine and Rowan Kidsilk Haze:

And the other from Lilly Pilly (aka, Jo in Taz) who was my upstream partner in Trashy's As You Like It Swap.  Poor Jo had her hands tied behind her back with the not-so-great words I'd selected.  You see, I submitted "Wedding" because the first 1/2 of our year had been dominated with preparation for two family weddings, one in June and one in July.  And the other word I'd submitted was "Hot" because June and July are blast-furnace hot here in metro Washington, DC (108F degrees at one point!); not exactly dress-up-in-your-very-best weather.

But Jo, she is a trooper - and a sewing goddess!!!  Look what she's sent me:

Blushing Bridal Bouquet (made up of fabric softie flowers!) and beautiful decorative favor box containing a bottle of buttons, heart-topped straight pins, lace, and ribbons!

AND

Hot stuff fabric coasters with a packet of chi tea.

TLG, TBG and I were all doing a happy dance last evening!!!

Celebrating the Good, Acknowledging the Bad

We, family RMR, celebrated a momentous occassion this week:

Our sweet boy began kindergarten!

We are also acknowledging the not-so-good in that I am destashing  - Rav link. (TBG is doing a happy dance as he is none too thrilled with the size of my stash.)

Lastly, I want to acknowledge the bad only because it took place so close to my office. 

I said prayers of thanksgiving for all the police/SWAT team(s) who work so hard to keep the rest us safe.  They - and other personnel (traffic and mass transit folks, health care providers...) - have an amazingly difficult job, yet they do it willingly.  And they do it well.  I, for one, am thankful for them sharing their skills.  Today your task is to hug an emergency responder :)

Because I don't want to end on such a downer, how about some destash eye candy?

Fun! Fun! Fun!!!

I am having a great time with Trashy's  As You Like It swap!!  I've even got TBG creating a few bits and bobs.  Thanks to JennyFlower for picking such fun words for me to use.  (Apologies to Jo in Tas for the challenge I have given you by selecting such lame words. If I were able to do it over again....)  We will be posting pice once the package has been completed, mailed and opened.  Um...goodness only knows how long that will take so, best to go about your business whilest checking back ofter :)

We went to the County Fair

Enjoy the pictures on the sidebar - to view, roll your mouse over each tile.

Quick Catch-Up

as opposed to ketchup which, btw, we in this house love!

 Posting has been on the back burner due to

TLG was ring bearer in my niece's wedding (Pittsburgh, PA)

And then,

 Independence Day - Fireworks view from the Washington National Cathedral

Closely followed by,

First wedding "second generation" in TBG's family

R to L: TBG's Sister, her new DIL and her Son/TBG's Nephew

INTERRUPTION!

Can't get this out of my head:

Channelling

Carole King (please don't tell me if you are not old enough to know who Carole King is).  I felt the earth move under my feet (Okay. I was asleep so it was, technically speaking, actually under my bed; but just give me this one, would you?)


Oh, and normal blogging to resume now that our craziest part of the Summer is over.

Soooo..

I had a post all planned; I was going to show you (in my smug, smug way) evidence that TLG is walking in the footsteps of his forebearers.  His crafty-ness has shown itself, again.  I was also going to brag about the beautiful, beautiful gift my MIL gave me for Mother's Day. 

However, as they say, pride goeth before the fall.  I can't brag because my pictures are on my work computer and I am home caring for a post-operative TBG.  He'd had some out-patient surgery done Friday and, thought he is a trooper, we are taking it east today.  Especially since my idea of "care" is to walk by him and ask 4,000 times if he wants more pain medication, attempt to stuff him full of popcicles, and try to talk him into going back to bed.  (Have I mentioned that I am not a nurse?)

I did manage some knitting whilst sitting by his hospital bedside.  Sadly, I didn't like it so it's been frogged.

(Not the pic I wnted to post but hate to post w/out a pic.)

Mama Can't Run*

Well girls I am sorry to say that I have done myself in.  Though I still don't know how I did it, I injured my lower back sometime Easter weekend.  Doctor visits, x-rays and an MRI revealed a bulging disc or two.  My treatment plan is pending a trip to the neurologist. Sadly, I have discovered the true meaaning of the term "comfort food".  I find myself eating non-stop and finally realized I am doing it as a pain/discomfort distraction.  Not good for the waistline or the lower back!

In spite of this physical issue, there is crafty news to report.  Some months ago I was in a particularly deluded state and volunteered to chair TLG's school auction.  I am here to tell you that, even with the help of my fabulous fellow committee members, this is a daunting and sometimes humbling task.  It looks as though we shall have somewhere close to 85 attendees.  We have fantastic silent auction items. And each class has come up with a themed basket and an art piece to be auctioned live.   I'll give you two guesses as to who is incharge of the live auction item for TLG's class... Hint: the item is a painted floor cloth.


The big night is this coming Saturday; wish us luck and lots of fund raising money!

NOTE:  I'd started this post on the 28th of April and am only getting to publish now. Above are pictures of our painted floor cloth (easy peasy - let me know if you want to know how to make one of your own!) and the event (our theme was "Celebrating the Cherry Blossoms").





*Not that I had begun training.

Roadtrip Tunes

for my pal who's toolin' across Aussie country:

NRBQ - Ridin' In My Car
Greatful Dead - Truckin'
Cmdr. Cody - Hot Rod Lincoln
Cindy Loper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

It's not that I haven't thought about you...

It's that I have been really, really busy.  As mentioned in the previous post, we had a day at the zoo...

We accidentally interrupted a wedding on the Courthouse lawn in Easton, MD. (Mind you, this is not the first wedding I have interruped accidentally!)
This was just after painting ceramic plates to be gifted to the bride and groom (not those in the picture) and just prior to selecting THE lace edging for the ring bearer pillows.  Yes, there will be two flower girls and two ring bearers, hence the need for two pillows.  I have swatch pics to post but haven't downloaded 'em yet.

 We attended a birthday party at "Jump Zone".
We celebrated Easter - sadly no pictures of the  9-hour family brunch hosted by TBG's family. 

And then, I hurt my back.  I have been drugged and moaning for the last week.  I've had so much to do at the office that I haven't dared to stay home to rest as I should.

Next post I will tell you more about the fab b-day gifts that keep rolling on in...

Yesterday,

in the midst of this my sisters and I tried to take our children here.  Oh, and did I mention that this  is going on as well?  TLG and I did manage to meet up with J1 and the Fairy Princess; sadly, J2 and here crew were in traffic for THREE HOURS before giving up and heading back home.  In a word, the zoo, was in fact a (human) zoo.  A mob scene in fact.  While I thoroughly enjoyed being with my sis and her daughter, I would have been just a happy hanging out at a nice quiet park or playground. 

I did score a few interesting pics and, for your viewing pleasure, will post them laster :)

The secret is out

and it must be true because I read it on the internet!  Today is my *cough44thcough* birthday.

My boys out did themselves with this wonderful-iffic giftie!!!

Now I am off to have a salon pamper that promises to have me looking 10 years younger!  Hope your day is equally as delicious Ms. Moog.

Proving, once again, that

the ZZ Top boys had it right - every girl is crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man:

Easter songs

for my good friend Trashy who is not familiar with this American classic,



And, no Easter Sunday would be complete without Bing singing,

Quick Post

just to let you know we are still here - and still knitting.

Actually doing swatches (I almost NEVER knit swatches - bad girl that I am).  I am working out the best lace for 'round the edges of a super special set of ringbearer pillows.

Also, sweetpotatoe pie(s) being made this evening.

Off to a playdate for TLG - will call again later!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

This one's for you Mom...

Winds-day

Gopher: If I was you, I'd think about skedaddlin' out of here.

Winnie the Pooh: Why?

Gopher: 'Cause it's "Winds-day."

And it's "winds-day" here as well.   
 V-e-r-y windy but so far, no snow :)  And no need for us to move into Piglet's house.  Yet.

In knitting news, I c/o Saroyan last night and love it!  Easy, mindless knitting...  I am using Louisa Harding's Grace.  I was looking for asomething quick and easy to add to the package I am putting together for Trashy's Spring/Fall swap, stumbled upon this pattern and decided to keep it for myself (apologies to my swapee! honestly, it doesn't "go" with the rest of your package. Not. At. All. You see, it is brown.  Adnd brown is just not a Spring color.)

Stay warm friends!

Just when we thought it was safe to pack away the shovel

We've been given another "snow storm watch" alert.  This means that we may be facing another Nor'easter; but at the moment it is anyone's guess.  In the event we are again snowed under

TLG and I are all set to whip up another batch of these little lovies (look away J2 - there is nothing here you want to see!)

Anyone fancy a run

 through the Yarn Harlot's Knitting Olympics?  Personally I am attempting Tilia using Posh Yarn's Diana, color - Matelot.

It's the Snow That Doesn't End!

It just goes on and on my friends...
(Lampchop anyone?)

These pics are from Monday

 

Here you see our street after it had been plowed.

  

The mound of snow behind TBG is a combo of the 28" that had fallen plus the snow he'd thrown up there while cleaning our cars (our little house is in the background)

 Here we have TLG sitting atop the snow that the plows have pushed onto the corner of our neighbor's front lawn.  TBG has since carved a bobsled run which starts at the top and curves off to the left - all the neighborhood kids love it!

 

- we have another 10-15" due in tonight, if the weather persons are to be believed.   It is almost as if we are unwitting members of a Shackleton expedition.  I fear my sanity is drifting and I am certain that sitting through one more episode of Scooby Doo will confirm my reservation in the coocoo nest :)  TLG and I did have a small outing today when we joined friends at Pump-It-Up to burn some energy before becoming house-bound again.  (School has already been cancelled for the rest of the week.)

Knitting accomplished:

1. Gift bag made of Manos
2. gift bag made of something Berroco silk-ish
3. Scarf made of the lovely yarn WonderWoman sent

Pics will be posted eventually.

xoxo

Snowmageddon 2010

Or, Snowpocalypse if you prefer.

Read all about it!

 And it is STILL snowing...

 

 

Bracing for another one

Mama's got to get her knitting projects planned - we are on the cusp of our second blizzard this winter!

Haiti Relief

Goodness knows that there is not enough day-to-day goodness in this world.  However, when faced with overwhelming tragedy, the "there but for the grace of God go I" feeling resonates and brings out the best in folks. 

If you haven't yet donated to the relief effort, would like to donate more/again, or are looking for a more personal/boots-on-the-ground means of donating, please consider the organizations with which Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Associates are actively involved in and are providing services to people in Haiti. Donation information can be found by clicking on the organization's name.

• Medicines for Humanity  - Sister Betty Scanlon, RSM, serves as Program Director for Medicines for Humanity which provides healthcare support for women and children in impoverished communities worldwide. Sister Betty plans to join the relief effort in Haiti next week.
• Global Health Ministry - Mary Jo McGinley, RSM, Executive Director of Global Health Ministry, has been leading teams of healthcare professionals to Haiti for many years.
• Catholic Relief Services - Mercy Associate Maureen McCullough is Northeast U.S. Regional Director for Catholic Relief Services, which is actively participating in relief efforts.

 In addition, Karen Schneider, RSM, a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, traveled to Haiti on January 14 with six residents from Johns Hopkins. Her team will work at a hospital in the northern section of Haiti. You can send donations to help fund her efforts through the Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community Development office. Checks should be made payable to the Sisters of Mercy - Mid-Atlantic Community and can be sent to: Colleen Maher, Director of Development, Merion, Convent of Mercy, 515 Montgomery Avenue, Merion, PA 19066. Questions can be directed to Colleen at 610-664-6650, ext. 525 or cmaher@mercymidatlantic.org. 

Need additional incentive?  Go see Trashy as she is having a Help for Haiti Raffle.

If you want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.

Mother Teresa

Test. Test 1-2-3

...is this thing on?

Ah, well here I sit weeks and weeks after my first post...with lots of time - and many events having flown past us:

1. Major Snow Storn
2. Minor surgery (mid December - all's well, no worries)
3. Christmas
4. New Years
5. TLG's birthdaay
6. Work, work, and more work!

So, to those of you who have actually been looking for me, I apologize for not being here :}