happy birthday bay-bee

Today is your 34th birthday. Our 12th birthday of yours that we've celebrated together. 12 years. I have two responses to that amount of time.

1. Has it already been 12 years?

2. Has it only been 12 years?

It's kind of a tie.

Thank you for being the person you are. Kind, generous, loving. Funny, musical, interesting. You are my husband. But more than that you are my best friend. I am the luckiest girl in the world.

knittahs at noon

In a few hours my house is going to be full of amazing friends. All with at least one thing in common, we knit. Kevin says I lost a couple of eyes when I started talking about all this darn knitting (sorry russ and reggie, i still love you!). But there is something pretty amazing about who is brought together by the simple act of moving two sticks around with some string and creating something beautiful.

I feel like the luckiest girl right now because my sister is pregnant. Beautifully, radiantly, roundly pregnant (well, i've not seen her yet so i don't know if she is all those things, but i'm guessing she is closing in on that last one). For me, knitting baby things is like heaven. They are quick with the knitting so it makes for as close to instant gratification you can get.

With my family's arrival next week, I would like to have the four bibs done. With only one done and one on the needles, I need to knit with the wind to my sails. Perhaps we need a Bourne Identity night sometime this week. I always knit faster to action movies.

Okay, must go finish getting the house ready for the throngs of beautiful women who are coming over today. (i'm trying to get those eyes back...russ, reggie? you out there?)

I'll leave you with this:

a taste

It's killing me, not being able to share the wonderful things I've been knitting for my nephew. So we were playing with the macro setting on our new camera (mom, don't freak out...we are fine) and I am thrilled with it. This way I can tease you all with little snippets of what I've got done and what I am doing without truly giving away the surprise for those family who will be seeing things in person in just under two weeks!! I am beyond excited about Thanksgiving this year.

So, here is just a little peak. I'm pretty happy with the color, as it's pretty spot on for the true color of the bib. And every knitter knows, it's hard to get yarn color to look as it does in real life when taking a photo.

I have a tan one on the needles right now, a cream one laying in wait, only to be followed up by a striped one (in all three colors).

Knitters on ravelry, you can go see it there. :)

my dog's a jerk

Okay, perhaps she's not intentionally being a jerk, but she is still a jerk. I went in the bedroom to check myself in our full length mirror. And who should I see all curled up on my side of the bed, using my pillow? Jerk.

I'd be really upset if she weren't so damn cute.

It's just, I wish that could be me in bed still. I'm just jealous. I know I'm turning that jealousy into name calling...

jerk.

shades of grey

The rain beats down outside in a deluge. It's the hardest rain we've had in a while. The sound is lovely as it bounces off the roof. The remaining leaves on our maple cling for their very lives. Not wanting to join their brothers and sisters that create a blanket on our front lawn. Soon, they will have no choice but to fall.

I've never seen a more beautiful tree in the fall than our maple. It's got shades of orange, red, green, and yellow. I look out my window from my desk and I see the branches blowing in the wind, as if it's trying to get my attention, to admire the beauty that lives before me.

So I will stop and take time to look out my window at the beauty that surrounds before it's all gone. For the grey winter that is on its way.

my morning

We made plans to have brunch at our house today with our friends, Jessica, Brandon and their son Henry. Henry loves him some kitties. We have Simon, Udder Kitty, and Josie (who is also "a Nani dog"- they have a bit black lab at home.)

Chloe (aka Udder Kitty) really wasn't too excited for the quickness of Mr. Henry. But he wanted to find "Udder Kitty" the whole time. She was intrigued and would pop out of hiding to watch him, but would hide if he started moving.

Josie was a bit skittish by the fastness of him, but pretty much would just wander away from him if he got too near. Never making a peep, just moving. Henry is a great listener and would let Josie be when we told him she didn't want pat pats.

Simon and he cozied up on the couch for a split second before Henry was up and moving again.

The thing about Henry is, he doesn't wear me out. I enjoy every second of him. And Jess and Bran are really amazing parents (as I always knew they would be). One of my favorite things Jess does now and again, is she sends camera phone pics every so often.

This is on their drive home from our house...

He was on the go the whole time they were here. I'm sure his feet were smelling goo-ood.

And don't worry, he's got his own site and his Mom doesn't mind I post his photo.

have you ever?

I was going through photos tonight on my computer when I ran across this one. Yes, your eyes are correct, you do see a squirrel laying on it's stomach motionless. How do you know it's motionless? Well, because it is in focus, nothing is blurred, not even a hair on it's tail.

I remember this day. As soon as Josie alerted me to the squirrel, I grabbed the camera and took a photo. I text messaged our neighbor, Bret, to tell him I think Nutsy was in our tree acting weird.

I exited my house to see if I could get closer, and I sure could.

Bret came out to meet me and see Nutsy, but as soon as he came up the driveway, Nutsy got up and zipped off. I still think the photos is pretty damn funny. I've never seen a squirrel laying on it's belly. It wasn't even that hot of a summer day...

boy

My sister and her husband found out they are having a boy. 98% chance of it. Ever since I found out about them being pregnant, I've referred to the baby as him. Never waiving. I love little girls, don't get me wrong, but I knew she was going to have a boy.

She called me yesterday and left me a voice mail saying I am going to have a nephew. My heart sang. All I could think of was all the wonderful things I could knit for him. I've already got a jacket done in a kiwi green that is going to be adorable. I have a bib in a pale sky blue and a hat that is deep peacock blue both on the needles. The *Baby Yoda Sweater will be perfect, too. Oh Mah Gawd! I'm going to swoon. :)

(*sorry for no link, the one i have doesn't work anymore)

I did ask about names and am thankful to hear they are keeping that to themselves. I've heard horror stories of parents, family and friends saying things like, "Oh you can't name him *Jub Jub because I once dated an Jub Jub and it was..." or "Jub Jub, that's a dumb name...where'd you hear of Jub Jub?" or "Jub Jub was OUR baby name you..." You get the picture.

*For the record, I think Jub Jub would be a great name. ;)

change

I needed a bit more change in my life and opted to rearrange my closet, which led to the master bedroom being changed around, which meant the living room had to have some changes, too.

Change change change.

It seems that working on one room at a time really pans out for me. Although as soon as the end is near, I start dreaming of the next space to update and change. From the kitchen reno, I've moved onto our bedroom. I will get photos up, but probably after the family has come through in a few weeks. I don't want to spoil the surprise for them. :)

I've not done anything drastic in the master, just moved out some furniture, got a full length mirror and some curtains. Just enough to make it feel a little more done. All that I feel is left in there is finding some artwork for the walls (perhaps I will make something?), the curtains to be hemmed and hung, and finding the aforementioned light fixture. We will either go with a ceiling fan (which when the summer is here in a room where currently one window opens it would be nice) or a chandelier of some sort. Visually I know a really cool chandelier would be better, but again, when there is no air moving...although we will eventually be replacing all the windows in the house and we will be making sure that all in the bedroom open, so perhaps a great chandelier isn't out of the question.

Kev just goes along with my ideas, interjecting if he feels strongly about something. So far, we've done well working together. It's kind of nice to collaborate with him.

Okay, must be off to work. Walking to work in between the bouts of rain. Of course, I'll probably get caught in some since it takes me about 25 minutes to get to work from here. Ah well, it is fall in Oregon.

making the rounds

As I peruse the blogs that I've come to know and love the sentiment is the same, pride.

A feeling overwhelms me.

Tears come to my eyes.

A smile to my lips.

I am proud of my country.

i vOted!

did you?

make your voice heard.

vote for the candidate you believe in.

know that this time we CAN made a difference.

vote for a change in washington.

VOTE!

rosie

So this weekend we were invited to several Halloween parties. As the previous posts made note of, I had one hell of a busy week. All week I was on the fence about going to two parties on Friday. I chatted with one of the women with whom I work and we came up with an easy costume. I got home and started rooting around the closets. Kev asked what I was doing and I told him I was looking for something to use for my costume. All week he'd been wanting to go to the parties. So when he said he wasn't feeling great and thought he should stay home I stopped searching.

On Saturday we had yet another party invite. Kev was feeling better so we decided to search for costumes in our house (yea for no spending $$). Kev went as a beach bum. I went as Rosie:

We can do it!

You can't really see it, but the "badge" on my collar is actually my "KNITTERS FOR OBAMA" sticker. It felt right.

not quite done yet

Well, last night was very sweet. We had a handful of beggars come by the house. I think my favorite was the first two I handed out to. Older sister with younger brother...and she was easily the age where going out with your little brother could be annoying. She seemed really happy to be out with him. It was sweet. What's that? What were they dressed as? I can not remember. I just remember them being happy to be out together.

So, I got home from work yesterday and had mustered the energy and excitement about going to both parties. I started rummaging through Kev's closet, looking for a blue button up shirt. He then announced he was not feeling well and didn't think we should go to either. I told him there were no taksie backsies. So we stayed home. I text messaged our friends to let them know that we were not going to be attending either gathering because of a not feeling so well husband. Everyone told me not to catch it. :)

Today I get to go into work and finish getting the checks ready (gotta stuff the envelope with my memo) and then I get to go to the mall store way the hell out and interview four candidates for the position we have open out there. That will take a few hours and then I will compile notes, talk with Susie (who's conducting the interviews with me) and head home...

We have another party we were invited to tonight. We'll see how the Mr. is feeling tonight.

Tomorrow I work (don't worry Mom and Dad, I have plenty of time to call before heading into the store at 11:00).

I'm ready for Monday because Jill is coming over and we are doing the touch up paint and re-hanging the light fixture that we painted. It should prove to be a productive day. After which, we will drink wine and possibly light a fire...who knows?!?

a week in the life

Sunday: day off. start the finishing touches in kitchen. apply first coat of matte black paint to ugly brass light fixture. take jill out to lunch as a thanks for helping.

Monday: day off. install trim in kitchen. grout. apply another coat of paint to light fixture. go to friends house and play mahjong. win one game. go home. sleep.

Tuesday: back at work. get the mail and everything ready for boss's return home. speak to boss after he's landed in chicago. make boss laugh. boss is very sleep deprived. go to bar friend works at and have dinner and drinks with more friends. go home. sleep

Wednesday: work. write checks. visit with boss (who is at work at an early time of 8:00). go home. rearrange furniture in bedrooms and living room. do this in the three hours between the time i get home and time i have to leave for knit night. go to knit night. eat chili...mmmm, yummy chili. get my knit on with my foul mouthed knitter friends. laugh a lot. go home. sleep.

Thursday: make appointment for dog at vet (6 month check up). work. call potential employees to set up interviews. meet a/c guy downtown. climb through some poor girl's office window to access our a/c unit on the roof. watch as a/c guy disassembles unit. take field trip with a/c guy and his wife (our former employee) to check if we need a new motor as he predicted. find out it's electrical. must call different a/c guy to come out and figure it out. take stills of thief from day before. jackass. get home in time to go to friends pumpkin carving party. drink vodka and cranberry (with a splash of tonic). carve pumpkin before drinking too many of those (although i made them really weak...shhhh!!). light candles in pumpkins on friend's front stoop. oooh and ahhhh. go home, taking pumpkins with. sleep.

Today: work. I am going to call the a/c people about our unit and getting it fixed. I know, you're wondering why we're having it fixed now, with winter coming. Well the store is a little hot box and I don't want my staff to bake. I also have paychecks to write. Tonight we're invited to two parties, but I am still on the fence about going. I want to hand out candy in the hood here because last year we got kids coming by!! Kev is thinking after the candy delivery we could go, but the parties are in Northeast and North Portland (about a 35 minute drive away). On any other night, I'd be there. But this week has been chock full (read above) and an evening at home sounds perfect to me...we'll see.

when life gets in the way

Words elude me.

Legs are tired.

Body follows.

Drinks tonight, indeed.

Off the next two days.

Happy.

sore thighs and tiny pies

It's not like you think.

Kevin just got home from two and a half days of hiking and camping. He and two friends were dropped off at Eagle Creek trail head late on Saturday. They hiked in four miles and set up camp. Yesterday morning they got up, packed up, and hiked up. They hiked UP for about 10 more miles before setting up camp for the night. That meant they had fourteen miles to hike DOWN today. Kev's in a bit of pain. But he had a lot of fun, and that is what matters.

Yesterday I got up and went to my friend's house and we made five dozen tiny pies. Our other friend joined us, otherwise it would've only been four dozen. We each got 8 chicken pot pies, several apple, a few peach and a couple pear/apple. What are tiny pies? You take 8 oz wide mouth canning jars and line them with crust (you can let the crust hang over because after you fill it, you flip it up as a top crust). You can fill then with anything you want. Although we don't suggest custard pies (not that we've tried them). You can either freeze them or put them in the fridge for a week or so and then you bake them on 400 for 45-60 mins. If you freeze them, put them in the oven as you preheat, then keep an eye on and pull when the crust is golden through the side of the jar.

Now Kev's home and we're going to sit and relax together. It was a lovely quiet two days, but I'm glad he's home...so are the trio. Each have taken their turn meowing, sniffing, ribbing against the closed bathroom door, waiting for him to emerge.

today, with updates

Today will consist of the following (in no particular order)

1. Yarn shopping (what, there is a sale that starts today and I took the day off work...because it's my birthday). Yarn purchased. Enough for a sweater for a baby, some bibs for that same baby, and a really cool hat for...that very baby. I also scored on some yarn for a dress I'd like to make for myself to wear in my friend's wedding next summer. It's gorgeous (and sadly the camera died as I was attempting to take my first photo to share. not the kind of died that charging fixes, either).

2. Coffee drinking (that can happen only until about mid morning if I ever want to sleep again). Now it's the time of the day where if I drink more coffee, I will not sleep tonight. Most people think that I couldn't possibly be that touchy to it, but I am. Trust me.

3. Baby knitting (I'm almost done with the first baby jacket for the newest member of my family). I finished, except for seaming up the sides and sleeves (which will take zero time on a baby sweater) and I have to find a really great button, well...two really great buttons.

4. Sushi eating (this will commence this evening with a few friends). Done and done. Greatest meal!

5. Bones watching (I am officially addicted to that show. I've not watched any of this season, we are getting caught up on the former seasons). Done with this as well. Didn't allow myself to watch all day, but I did get quite a few episodes into the season I'm watching.

Other than that, I'm not really sure. I think I'll let the day play out as it is supposed to. I have my list for the yarn shop (remarkably, there is some yardage listed that isn't for the Blob and is in fact for me).

Hope everyone has a great day!!

life

Isn't it interesting how life sometimes seems to fly by? I mean you blink and we're near the middle of October already.

Work has been a bit stressful for me. Yep, in the world of comfort shoes, there can be stress. My boss is out of the country until the 28th, leaving me in charge of the check books. My co-manager was away for a few days. This was the perfect time for someone to get sick. So they did. I worked an 11.5 hour day on Thursday. I'm taking it slow this morning and going in when the store where the office is opens at 11:00. I have to close my old haunt tonight. Then, I am getting a day off!

Tomorrow we have potential plans to meet up with Jill and Mark at Sweetness Bakery, plans to go to Wolfgang's first birthday (he's a baby of some friends of ours), and plans to hang out with Shannon and Kiley.

I am looking forward to every single minute of tomorrow. I am also hoping to go get some yarn to start making a baby sweater for a very special someone in my life (sorry, not disclosing at this time, other to say it is NOT me). I am over the moon, however.

Today is going to be an easier day. It's going to be a less stress filled day. It is going to fly by like yesterday did (I got to work all day at my store...the one downtown that I worked at full time for five years).

So, I am going to go heat up another cup of coffee, scratch Chloe's back a bit more, and maybe take a bath.

morning

every morning

Without fail every morning my dear Chloe will come up to me as I sit in front of the computer eating my breakfast and drinking my coffee. She will stand on her back legs, front paws on my leg. She chirps. She chirps until I reach down and scratch her back. Only then is she happy. Of course, she does this repeatedly in the morning until I tell her she's had enough.

This is the face I get to see every single morning...

I rake my fingers up and down her spine and she just purrs. I look at her and think, "she can't be 11 years old." She acts more and more like a kitten each and every day.