Herpcrazie

Hackers/Spammers Suck!

2011-08-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

Facebook and hotmail accounts were hacked by spammers over the weekend. These people SUCK! At least facebook froze the account, so they can't use it anymore. But, I don't know what's going on with hotmail. I can't get anyone to respond. I've submitted requests using their damn forms twice over the weekend (only allow 1 request in a 24 hour period) with no reply at all. If I can get back into hotmail, I can get my facebook back up. GRRRRRR!!!!

2011-04-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

Putting baby down for a nap. Sliding baby down the slide...very fast!

This was the babies 3rd or 4th bottle...and no diaper! This was all just too darn cute not to capture!

November update

2010-11-27T21:32:00.000-08:00

Brendan tossing the ball around in the backyard with dad.

This pretty lady has been frequenting our backyard the past few weeks. A welcome visitor, to be sure!

Dad getting the rough treatment. In case you're interested, the boys are blowing raspberries on his back.

Liam being the ever-helpful little guy.

Reptile show yesterday

2010-09-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

Brendan enjoying the smaller non-vertebrate members of the show.

Liam wondering what the heck this thing is!

Snakes, snakes, so many snakes!

Liam getting a better view than he's used to.

One of the many strikingly-colored chameleons.

Brendan stared at this display silently for several seconds. I wonder what was going on in his mind?

So much to look at, so little patience for all of it!

Friday and Saturday in the High Sierras

2010-08-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

Brendan and I camped out along Hwy 89 in the high Sierra's this past Friday night. It was chilly, but we were prepared! Sleeping was horrible, as the campground was too close to 89, but otherwise, it was a ton of fun. Photos to come.

Denver visit

2010-07-11T10:50:00.000-07:00

Giving Grandad a hard time during our visit.

Butterfly Pavilion in Denver

2010-07-11T10:44:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm...can we say, time to go?
One of the many pretty specimens at the Butterfly Pavilion in Denver.

Could use one of these at my house

No pinching the starfish, dear.

Denver Zoo

2010-07-11T10:39:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love penguins?
They had an amazing herp section, including some great fish! I loved it and if my feet hadn't been aching at that point, I'd have wanted to stay an hour longer!

Why do all zoos have them?

Gram's visit

2010-07-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

Giving Gram goodbye kisses
He spent the whole visit on the back porch, blowing bubbles with Gram-Gram.

Spongebob times deux!

The end of lactation

2010-05-05T14:24:00.000-07:00

This is my own tribute to the efforts I put into my lactation. Giving up lactation permanently is difficult, and I am left grieving of sorts. Be forewarned! If you don't want to read much personal detail about my lactation experience, don't read it! Honestly, I'm only writing this for me, not for anyone else and I don't care if anyone else ever reads it.

For 42 of the last 85 months, I have fought tooth and nail to produce breastmilk for my boys. I have left countless meetings, ignoring the stares (sometimes glares) of my peers to search out some space that was at least partly private to strip half-naked and "hook up." I have struggled through countless other meetings where I felt I faced dire consequences if I left, waiting in pain, hoping I didn't start leaking before the meeting broke up. I'm sure I have lost much respect in some peers' eyes because of my making time for lactation, but I find that loss to not be a loss at all. I thrill in the bonds I made with other women who, upon hearing of my need, shared with me a bit of their own struggle with breastfeeding and going back to work, while they helped me find a way to succeed in the moment. Bless those women!

I have cried many tears over each of my babies when I could not succeed at feeding them at the breast. I have doubted myself, questioned my sanity, wondered at how I could give them a good start in life when I couldn't even breastfeed them--the simplest of all things in childhood, or so I thought. And then I discovered breastpumps. I have had a love/hate relationship with the pumps that have come into and out of my life. The bottom line is that I couldn't have done it without them. I do not grieve the end of my pumping days, but yet, I find I cannot toss the machinary aside callously. It has known me more intimately than anything else in this world for those 42 months.

I am proud of so much. Of myself, that I alone gave each of my children nearly 2 years protection with my own immune system, bolstering their own protection and ensuring fewer sniffles and coughs in their infancy. I can count the number of ear infections for both boys easily on my own fingers, maybe just the fingers on one hand. I am proud that I now have two very healthy, robust boys, who love the world and approach much with an eager enthusiasm. They radiate health. I am proud of the many ounces of extra breastmilk that I shared with other babies that had no supply of their own. I am proud that I let nothing stop me from being able to look back and say these things.

I am utterly thankful for the love and support I have received over these years from fellow moms struggling with their own lactation. Not all have been as lucky as me, but all of them wanted nothing short of the best for their own children. All of us have had incredible odds against our successes at one time or another. All of us struggled. Those that made our effort harder often didn't realize they were doing so. My own dear husband has asked me a few times "when are you going to stop pumping?" I don't know his motivation in asking this each time, but I suspect it was partly asked out of frustration for my insisting upon making time for pumping and the inconvienence that would sometimes bring. I don't blame him for his feelings. It's not something he can understand. And, it is also a distinct difference between us. I make my way through conflict with dogged determination, with the assurance that if I make up my mind, I will see it through come hell or high water. It is my unreasonable inflexibility that creates my success. My husband approaches conflict differently, although his own method can be just as effective.

These 42 months of lactation stand as a testimony to the dedication I have for my children. They are more than 42 months of good nutrition. They are a symbol to my determination to doing everything I can to helping my children have a good start in life. Underneath it all is the love I have for them. Although my breastmilk is nearly gone, and will never return, the love for my boys continues on, nurturing and encouraging them in the moments of their lives.

March update

2010-04-02T11:01:00.000-07:00

Brendan's first basketball game: Running drills at basketball practice:

Celebrating his 7th birthday at school:

Liam in the daycare play yard:

At the creek behind our house:

Roaming the wild open space by the creek (well, HE probably thinks that):

Playing with dad:

Watching dad and Brendan playing basketball:

"Why won't Ozzy let me touch him?"

Weekend of Jan 30/31

2010-02-01T20:37:00.000-08:00

We visited Effie Yeaw Nature Center this weekend, and the boys had a ton of fun scrambling along the trails and throwing many a rock into the American River. Both of them came away quite wet.

Ozzy desperately hoping to be rescued. Liam loves him to distraction.

Hmmmm, up to no good? Yep!

See? Definately up to no good!

Bathtime!

2010-01-25T10:58:00.000-08:00

Looks innocent, huh? Well, that little cherub is enjoying crashing that jetliner into the ocean, full of passengers! Lovin' every minute of it, too!

Liam and Brendan playing together

2009-12-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

Brendan is TRYING to do his class workbook. Liam is trying hard to convince Brendan to play with him. Let's see who wins...

Still trying...

Still trying...mom ended up rescuing Brendan. He was determined to work on the exercises!

Brendan's turn to be pushed.

Big brother giving Liam a thrill ride!

An update on our family

2009-11-09T13:57:00.001-08:00

Marc and Brendan playing "football" yesterday. The rules they play by seem to mostly involve who can tickle the other the most.

Liam dressed up for Halloween. We took him to a few of our neighbors to say hello. Brendan decided he wanted to stay home and pass out candy, so that's all the trick or treating we did this year.

An update on the family:

The boys are both doing well. Brendan is doing fairly well in school. His academics are good and behavior-wise is doing well, too. We are seeing much improvement over last year. We are considering transferring him to another Montessori school (part of the same Charter as the one he goes to now) that's a 10 minute WALK from our house. I feel particulary silly that I didn't know about this campus. Seems like him going there is an opportunity for him to make friends in our neighborhood for a change. If this does happen, it won't be until the school year is over, though. It's a hard decision to make, as we have become very attached to the teachers at the campus he's going to now.

Liam is great...actually, that's his status quo! He's a pro with walking now, improving his skills daily and even attempting stairs standing up on occasion. He can clearly say "ball" and "dog." He's also got a small army of molars, although he still has some left to come through. He decided a little while back he wants nothing to do with baby food, so he's pretty much gone from just bottles to bottles and adult food, abeit cut up. He's startlingly quick, and seems to understand most everything we say. When asked for his shoes, he goes to get them. When asked to lie down on the changing table so I can change his diaper, he does (well, SOME of the time, anyway!). He's into EVERYTHING, which means we are in full use of various locking mechanisms and swearing under our breaths when we forget to lock up. He watches us closely and is right on us when we don't lock up. Within seconds, the contents are strewn about the floor.

We'll be spending Thanksgiving with Marc's mom and gram and then we'll be home for Christmas. I'm excited about spending Christmas at home. It'll be the first time in 15 years or so that we've planned to do that! I've already knitted personalized stockings for the boys and am planning to fill them in the usual Wilkendorf manner. :) My personal tribute to grandad! I have a zillion details buzzing about in my head on what I'd like to do and what might be fun for the boys. I feel like I'm 7 years old again!

Liam in the daycare playyard

2009-09-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

These are hot off the presses, taken just this morning, folks!

Rolling around on the blanket.

One very happy baby!

He loves to carry objects around in his mouth.

Hmm...what to go after next?

The many faces of Liam

2009-08-22T11:24:00.000-07:00

Puerto Vallarta

2009-07-19T10:51:00.000-07:00

The view from our room.

The glorious pool, where we spent the bulk of our vacation.

The swim up bar. Our favorite spot!

One of our mealtimes.

The beach was Brendan's favorite place. He loved the surf.

Brendan's Kindergarten graduation in June

2009-07-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

The entire Kindergarten class at CMP, with diplomas in hand!

Brendan receiving his diploma from the principal.

Marc and Liam, hanging out before the celebration began.

Liam and I, hanging out before the celebration.

Baby quilt for daycare

2009-05-28T20:46:00.000-07:00

This has been my project for the past 2 months or so. It's been a lot of work, but I'm very happy with the result. I did this to donate to the silent auction next week. My fingers are crossed some of the moms and dads will want it enough to pay good $ for it!

Photos of Liam

2009-02-07T14:55:00.000-08:00

Sitting up...kind of.

Playing with those tempting toes!

Superbowl Sunday

2009-02-01T20:40:00.000-08:00

Liam enjoying his gym while dad gets ready for the superbowl.

Said goodbye to Toad

2009-01-17T14:52:00.000-08:00

Toad at Halloween this year...still looking pretty good.

Toad in February 2008. Enjoying the sun.

All three kitties in Jan 2008.

Our eldest kitty, Toad, has been sick for a while now, but acutely so in the past few months. We've known he's been sick, but since he's so elderly (almost 19), had decided to make his last few months as comfortable as possible, rather than subjecting him to treatment after treatment and extended stays in the vet clinic. Today, we took him to the vets as the past two days, he had stopped eating and there was a look about his eyes that told me he was in pain. He weighed only 4lbs. We let them run some blood tests. He was extremely anemic and other problems, too, but so anemic that he would need all of his blood replaced and immediately. That would be just for starters. We couldn't stomach putting him through all of that. We made the decision that it was his time to go. He went very peacefully. He was such a good kitty, and I cannot image my life now that he is no longer in it. I've had him since I turned 18. Marc and I are both a bit in shock and hurting. I miss him very much...

buddies

2008-12-14T12:12:00.000-08:00

Liam in his standing exersaucer

2008-12-14T12:09:00.000-08:00

No, officer, I don't know that man.

2008-12-14T12:05:00.000-08:00

Spiderman!

2008-12-14T11:59:00.000-08:00

The amazing Spiderman!

Achtung lieben! Racoons!

2008-12-14T11:56:00.000-08:00

One of the various racoons to visit our back porch in the evening. Now that the cats are outside, they know they can usually find some leftover food.

Liam photos

2008-10-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

How sweet is that? Cuddling with dad...

Caught a couple of cute moments while he was doing his tummy time exercises.

Is this a happy baby or what?

Growing boy

2008-10-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

Checked the growth charts for babies today and discovered that in weight, Liam is off the charts, well above the 97th percentile. He's in the 90th percentile for height. I'll put more photos on in a few days.

Liam smiling

2008-10-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

Just a very cute moment to share.

Another Liam photo

2008-09-14T10:46:00.001-07:00

Fresh from his bath. He loooooooves his baths!!!!

Liam Gregory has arrived!

2008-08-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

Here he is! Born August 12 at 6:10am in our home. He was 8lbs 1oz and very healthy. He is now nearly 9lbs and becoming much chunkier.

knitting projects

2008-07-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

Started working on this tree of life sweater for the new baby, but it's actually more for Brendan's size.
Made this spur of the moment for the new baby, but it's rather girlie, so maybe it will become a gift for a girlfriend with a baby girl.

Knitting update

2008-07-06T19:02:00.000-07:00

Made this for the new baby. It's the Baby Poonam pattern.
My felting experiment for a diaper bag. It turned out a lot bigger than I anticipated. We'll see how much use it gets.
Current fair isle experiment. I've never tried to knit gloves before and so far, the fingers are not much fun. I'll have to redo the part that I've done for the fingers.
Tree of Life sweater. Meant it for the new baby at about 6-9 months, but it's knitting up mucho bigger. It might even fit Brendan! That's what I get for not swatching. Oh well!

Brendan's PreK Graduation

2008-06-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

They sang Yellow Submarine and Baby Beluga.
They had little diplomas each child got.
A very proud little graduate! Although, mom and dad may be just as proud!

Swim lessons

2008-06-22T17:23:00.000-07:00

Launching himself off the diving board on the last day of swim lessons!
After being caught in the deep end.

About to dive with the instructor.
Just resurfaced!

Waiting for the lessons to start with buddies Nathan and Max.

Brendan in the sprinkler

2008-06-08T12:06:00.000-07:00

These are from late April, but thought they were so cute and such nice images of Brendan, I'd post them now.

More baby sweaters

2008-06-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

I've finished Brendan's hooded sweater to match the baby's hooded sweater I finished a while back (see Feb 15 post). I also finished another baby sweater, this time a wrap. I'm about to finish another baby sweater with cabling. I'll post that when I'm done.

Minor League baseball

2008-06-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

The three of us went to the Rivercats game last night. Brendan tanked up on surgary stuff and was squirmy all evening, but at least he enjoyed himself thoroughly!

Brendan and baby

2008-06-03T07:48:00.000-07:00

The baby is about 29 weeks here. 2 months left to go!

Flowers around the house

2008-05-11T11:43:00.000-07:00

The flowers just opened on the tree in front of our house. Every year at this time, the bees descent upon the tree, collecting the pollen. The whole tree buzzes for about a week or so!

Star jasmine

Roses in the back.

Honeysuckle along the back fence.

More Little League

2008-05-11T10:54:00.000-07:00

Marc as 1st base coach with Brendan waiting to head to 2nd.

Brendan going after a grounder yesterday.

Brendan's baseball team

2008-03-14T17:21:00.001-07:00

Notice that the coach has his shirt clenched in his left hand. :) I tell you, it was like herding cats, although I doubt Brendan would have run away!
Looks pretty good here.
But there goes the back leg... Lots of concentration on the face, though.

Brendan

2008-02-15T20:17:00.000-08:00

Took this earlier this week at preK. I managed to catch him in a quiet second, and before he began to hide from the camera. The color's a little off, but I still like it.

baby cardigan

2008-02-15T20:13:00.000-08:00

This is 'childhood' from knitty.com. It's for my baby, due early to mid August. I'm thinking of making another one for Brendan, so they can have matching outfits.

Storm comes through

2008-01-04T16:03:00.000-08:00

Overnight until this afternoon, a storm came through all of northern California, bringing with it mucho rain, snow in the Sierra's, and gusty winds. Gusts were up to 60 mph. Brendan's daycare center was closed, as well as many other businesses due to power outages from fallen trees. The second video is of some of the gusts, unfortunately, after the stronger ones had already come through. Still impressive, though.

Christmas gifts

2007-12-29T18:30:00.000-08:00

Brendan got an lmax computer and a Jayhawk as big as he is!
Showing his lmax to cousin Charlie.
Enjoying Operation.

Snow for Christmas

2007-12-29T18:06:00.000-08:00

Brendan had lots of fun shoveling and playing in the snow in Wichita. These were taken a week ago when Wichita got about 6 inches.

Back home from the holidays

2007-12-27T12:49:00.000-08:00

The holidays were nice for the family, and my son certainly made out very well! We're all back home now with no plans to leave again any time soon. I'm mired in morning sickness, which these days, doesn't let up much, if at all, each day. Ick. Tomorow will be the start of week 8. The baby is about the size of a small bean, I've read. And, looks more like an alien than anything. :) No promises on when photos from the holidays will be posted.

Brendan photos

2007-12-16T11:41:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of photos of Brendan from early in December. Nothing else today.

Feather and Fan Stole

2007-11-22T12:25:00.000-08:00

I'm using Elsebeth Lavold's silky wool for this stole. I already love the look and can't wait till I can block it so the pattern really stands out.

Kyoto beginnings

2007-11-22T12:15:00.000-08:00

This is the start of Kyoto, from knitty. I decided to use a dark blue for the sash and a light blue for the body. The yarn is Berocco's cotton twist.

More progress on Josephine

2007-11-22T12:06:00.000-08:00

This is more progress on Josephine. The back is complete and this photos is of the completed right front and the start of the left front. It appears that I have enough yarn, so keep your fingers crossed.

Ambrosia's Jacket

2007-11-22T11:55:00.000-08:00

I knitted this jacket for my girlfriend's daughter Ambrosia. Brendan was nice enough to model it for the photo.

Halloween parade!

2007-11-16T20:05:00.000-08:00

Brendan and friends in their Halloween finest!

Jumping in the leaves

2007-11-16T20:02:00.000-08:00

Hemlock Ring Blanket, Josephine, Falling In Love updates

2007-09-17T13:59:00.000-07:00

I've got 10 more rows to go till the Hemlock Ring Blanket is complete. Photos will need to wait till after bindoff, as the blanket is scrunched up on my needles. Each row has 400+ stitches on them now, so each row is painstakingly long. I understand the bindoff takes a LOT more yarn than the other rows, too, so I expect that to take a long time. When it's done, it'll be Brendan's. Can't wait to see it off the needles! I'll share a photo when I take one.

I'm also continuing with Josephine and Falling In Love. I've completed the back of Josephine and am on the right front. I'm still working on the first sock for Falling in Love.

Hemlock Ring KAL

2007-09-05T13:44:00.000-07:00

I hope to cast on as soon as I get either Josephine or the knee-hi's far enough along.

Falling in Love socks progress

2007-09-04T21:52:00.000-07:00

I set these socks aside over the weekend to make some progress on Josephine, but picked them up again last night and today. They are just about at the beginning of the meatiest part of my calf. The one sock looks great so far and I can't wait to see them done. I think I've got the right skirt for them, but still need to find the right shoes (probably a sexy, black clog of some sort) and the right top. Funny, creating an outfit around the socks, huh? :)

Progress on Josephine

2007-09-02T17:47:00.000-07:00

I've set aside the socks for the Labor Day weekend to make some progress on Josephine. She's reached 22 inches in length and is ready for the armhole shaping. I can't believe I've only used 4 skeins so far!!!

Swim lessons for 4 year olds

2007-09-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

Brendan's preschool/preK classes had swim lessons this in June of this year. That's his best friend Nathan next to him. The teacher is showing them how to kick.
Here, the teacher was taking the kids one by one and encouraging them to float on their stomachs and backs and kick and even move their arms for strokes. Brendan loved that part, as you can see. :)
This was the last day of lessons, and the whole class got to go down the slide. They were all a bit hesitant at first, but it only took one of them to go down one time and they were all waiting in line. I was so lucky to be there every day of the 2 weeks!

Black and white photos

2007-08-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

I love these photos. The colors were funky, so I changed them to black and white and presto! They look pretty good! I plan to make a collage of Ambrosia's photos for her mom. Not sure what I'll do with the rest.

Falling in love kneehi lace socks

2007-08-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

The foot is complete. I'm beginning to add the lace and cable pattern to the back now.
Closeup of the lace and cable pattern. This pattern is an adaptation of Anniken Allis's Falling In Love Socks. I am making them knee-hi's.

July photo

2007-08-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

Couldn't resist sharing this photo from early July this year.

California State Fair

2007-08-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

Bumper cars!
The baby pigs are sooooo warm! And squirmy!
Watching the Forest Service's puppet show.

Brendan begins karate

2007-08-26T11:29:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks we've been taking Brendan to karate class Thursday nights. Much to his pleasure, he even received his white belt!
He is very excited to be a karate student, but not always excited about participating the entire class.

Finished vest and more Josephine

2007-08-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

This is Brendan's Classic Camel Vest. I still need to weave in some of the yarn ends and add the buttons, but it's essentially finished. Can't wait to see him wear it at his Uncle Matt's wedding in October!
This is my progress on Josephine from Knitty. I've added some detail to it, shown in the photo below. I had to adjust the pattern to fit the smaller size yarn I'm using, which left much bigger purl sections in between the cables than the pattern intended. I added twisting diamonds on either side of the center cable and am now adding some bobbles to the other purl sections. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Antique lace

2007-08-16T20:20:00.000-07:00

My mom brought some lace that has been in the family for a very long time for me to see. Some of it is probably from the late 1800's. Some of the pieces we are sure were made by family. I forget now which ones, but they are all beautiful, whomever made them!

My mom's in town

2007-08-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

No photo to go with this yet. My mom is in town and having lots of fun with Brendan! I'm not sure if this is a break for her from the difficulties of daily farm life, or if she might need a break after this visit! Brendan is very excited to have another playmate around and especially someone he can wake up in the morning who won't be grumpy at him for it! :) This morning, when I asked him if grandmama was awake, he said that he'd patted her arm and that she woke up. I smiled thinking how nice it is to be patted on the arm by such a nice little guy. Not too bad a way to be woken up, huh?

On a trip intended to end at the park yesterday, Brendan led his grandmama along the creek behind our house and never left it. lol! It's all about the journey, isn't it? :)

Josephine begins

2007-08-13T18:35:00.000-07:00

I've cast on for Josephine from Knitty. This is one skein's worth of Kilcarra Aran Tweed. This is the lovely new wool that my FIL brought from his recent trip to Ireland (from County Donegal). It's difficult to tell from the photos, but this yarn is a lovely moss green tweed:

(http://lavenderyarns.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=66_56&products_id=211&osCsid=6e6).

I wasn't sure what to use it for, as it's new wool and a bit scratchy. I'd had Josephine in mind, but wasn't sure when I'd start it, or if there was a better pattern for the yarn out there until I watched "Big Fish" last weekend. Imagine my surprise when I realized that the character Josephine in the movie was wearing "Josephine" the sweater jacket! I must have overlooked this detail when I read the pattern at first. I took this as a sign that I needed to start the pattern! :)

I'm still working on my son's vest, and am working on the front right, the last piece before seaming and working the neckline. I'll post more photos of that in a day or two.

Vest for Brendan

2007-08-09T22:03:00.000-07:00

This pattern was adjusted from the Camel vest from 'Men in Knits.' I am adjusting it for my 4 year old to wear to his uncle's rehearsal dinner in a couple of months! :) I'm using Elsebeth Lavold's Silky Wool on size 6 needles. I can tell it's going to be very lightweight.

Dragon wrist bands

2007-08-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

I created this pattern from the dragon on some of my karate school's shirts. It looks better on the shirts, but still ok. I redid the pattern so that the dragon is about half the size. Hopefully that will look a bit better.

Bowling with four-year-olds!

2007-08-06T21:43:00.000-07:00

Brendan's preschool and the preK kids went to the bowling alley this past Friday. The kids had a lot of fun and everyone was exhausted when it was all over, including me!

Score at Filati's awesome sale!

2007-08-06T21:33:00.000-07:00

I scored all this fabulous yarn at Filati's this past weekend. Elsbeth Lavold, Cotton twist, Adrienne Vitadini, etc. I'm on a year-long yarn diet, but this is my one exception. Yarn IS joy! Giggling...

Brendan's hat and mittens set

2007-08-06T21:31:00.000-07:00

I made this set for my son. He chose the color. Knitted with Patons Meloday. Hmmm...I seem to knit with it a lot, huh? :)

Baby girl jacket

2007-08-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

Finished this hooded, baby girl's jacket last week. I used Patons Melody in a lovely purple. I added some "confetti" yarn to the cuffs and might add more to the hood, too.

Tile mosaic mounted!

2007-07-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

The tile mosaic is now on the wall...but needs to be framed properly. If you have ideas, email me!!! See April 21, 2007 post for a close-up photo.

Recently completed knitting

2007-07-29T11:31:00.001-07:00

The variegated halter top was knitted using all cotton yarn. The twirled halter top was knitted using a polar weight cotton/nylon yarn. The baby kimono was knitted using some of the acrylic yarn I inherited from my grandmother. No intended recipient, just wanted to knit a baby top. I'm in the process of finishing a purple hooded jacket for a baby using Patons Melody.

Crazy summer!

2007-07-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

This has been one busy summer! Quickie update...Brendan is growing and happy and healthy as always. He transitions to the pre-Kindergarten room in August. I've completed a few knitting projects and am currently on a baby sweater. Work for Marc and I continues on. I'll post photos of the knitted items and other stuff soon.

Jury duty

2007-05-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

This past week I served on a jury in a "road rage" trial. We rendered our verdict of guilty on all charges this morning: reckless driving and assault with a deadly weapon (being the car). After the trial was over, I had a chance to speak to the defending attorney and now I feel sick to my stomach. There were details not admitted during the trial that would have left me voting not guilty had they been admitted. I can't stop thinking about this man that is now going away to prison for a long time...god help me and him...

Russian tortoise

2007-04-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

This is the little Russian tortoise I've been watching this weekend. He now belongs to my son's preschool room, but I'll be taking him home on weekends, holidays, or whenever they need me to take him. I've grown attached to him after just a few days together. In the photo, he's snoozing in my backyard. :))))

Wonderwool cable set

2007-04-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

This is a hat, scarf, and mitten set I just finished for my mom. The hat was done using the pattern coronet, and I used the same cable to do both the scarf (my design) and the mittens (modified from LB's 2-needle mittens). I used Wonderwool tweed.

Tile mosaic

2007-04-21T19:45:00.000-07:00

This is a tile mosaic I'm doing for the entryway wall in my house. I'll post more photos when it's completed and on the wall.

Baby booties and hat

2007-04-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

Here's a bootie and hat set I made for a coworker a couple months ago. Don't ya just looooove baby booties?!!!

Yarn crazy cat

2007-04-15T13:04:00.000-07:00

This is about the zillionth time I've wanted to skin my younger male, Ozzy alive. He adores my knitting and any time I leave it anywhere in the open, I come home to find it here, there, everywhere! This time it was wrapped around the vacuum. Later that day, I found it in 2 pieces, with the working yarn broken from the scarf in progress! I just about wanted to kill him! Good thing he's so cute! That's him in the above photo (black cat).

Rogue is finished!

2007-04-14T17:36:00.000-07:00

Woohoo! It's done! It has a few mistakes in it, but nobody else can see them but me, and I'm getting used to them. I've already worn it several times, even though northern California is getting warm!

Rogue still continues

2007-01-30T13:51:00.000-08:00

I am working the cables for the hood right now. I have seamed the shoulders. Once the hood is finished (which probably won't take more than this coming weekend), I'll begin the sleeves. I really do hope to have some photos soon of the progress.

Elusive weight loss

2007-01-30T13:46:00.000-08:00

I have made changes in both my exercise routine and in my eating habits. Both are gradual changes. I've been making them over the past 5 weeks, and at least as far as exercise, I am where I want to be now. From now on, the changes will be more to keep my body guessing than anything else. Diet I am still adjusting. I see the doc tomorow, but I already know the blood work came back fine. :( I was hoping I'd find a smoking gun there, so to speak. I can't give up, though. Giving up would mean continuing to gain weight and a decrease in physical activity, due to the increased pain I'd get from more weight. Nope, not gonna accept that route. I'm trying to stay positive, but I have frequent feelings of frustration.

Rogue continues

2007-01-22T09:21:00.000-08:00

I have completed the side panels (Chart A) and am now working to shape the back for the neckline. This is such an exciting knit and the yarn is a pleasure (Plymouth
Encore) to work with! Photos coming...

Scrapping pages

2007-01-14T17:29:00.000-08:00

These are some recent pages I did for Brendan's scrapbook. I'm not sure if they are totally done or not; I might add some details to them and definately the date.

Rogue in progress

2007-01-14T17:24:00.000-08:00

Look how far along I am!!!! So far, it's really quite straight-forward and I'm enjoying this project immensely! The only issue I'm having complaints about is that my hem is curling. I'll guess that will be straightened out during the blocking.

Ridgebacks!

2007-01-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

Ok, so how great are Rhodesian Ridgebacks? Only the best darn dog breed in the world, thank you! I had one for a few years as a child, and have craved another one my entire adult life. Unfortunately, at least around here, puppies (and even young dogs) go for several hundred dollars. Way out of our reach. Plus, Marc and I have some disagreement over having a dog, period. If you are interested, check out ridgebacks on wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesian_Ridgeback

Horse crazy

2007-01-12T10:48:00.000-08:00

This is one of my girlfriends with whom I used to ride with her beauty, Splash. Hopefully I will be able to ride again soon. Her horse, Iban, who now has a different owner, was the horse I rode. He's a white Arabian and what a horse! I adored riding him and he seemed to like me, too. I'll never forget one afternoon where I needed to comfort him (he'd had quite a scare). I coo'ed at him while he snuggled in to my arms and chest with his muzzle. What a funny site that must have been...me cuddling a huge, powerful animal, telling him it'd be ok.

Riding along the trails in the American River Canyon (east of Sacramento) was fantastic! Some light to moderately challenging terrain, beautiful landscape (forested canyon with eye-popping rock outcrops and dropoffs, and little waterfalls in the spring), and wonderful companionship. Sigh. I've been around horses my whole life, and following them around entranced since I can remember. Some of my earliest memories are of my mother (or perhaps it was one of her friends) riding dressage. Horses just make sense to me. I have a hard time understanding why anyone wouldn't want to be around them. Their smell, feel, and presence is beyond words.

Shouldn't be allowed in public

2007-01-11T15:48:00.000-08:00

I'm beyond sleep-deprived. Brendan has been waking at extraordinarily early hours the past few days, which means mom is up, too. I wasn't selected for a promotion (best opportunity I'd had for a promotion in the 5 years I've been at this agency). I gained 2 pounds last week. And, not the least, I have had very little time to knit. Needless to say, I shouldn't be allowed in public. I should be locked away, until I am no longer sleep-deprived and have starved those darn 2lbs back off and can just friggin' KNIT!

Rogue troubles from the get-go

2007-01-03T14:33:00.000-08:00

I have cast on...twice now...for rogue. The first time was fine and was about 6 rows into the body. I set the needles and yarn down to run some errands. Apparently I did not put these in a safe enough place, as when I got home, the skein of yarn was on the living room floor and the string of yarn wound to the base of the Christmas tree, where it disappeared underneath. I had to get down flat on my stomach to peer underneath the tree to finally see what was left of my knitting. I pull it out as gently as I can and after inspecting the damage, see that it is irreparable. At least, not without being noticeable. :((( I frogged and cast on again. I don't know which of our 3 cats is to blame, but just to be on the safe side, they are all on my shit list right now! The yarn is becoming less wound and the fibers are separating. It's more difficult to work with now. If I have to frog again, I'll have to cut off the first several yards before I cast on again. Big bummer! Wish me luck!

Freshwater aquarium

2006-12-29T09:58:00.000-08:00

We have a 55 gallon freshwater tropical aquarium in our dining room/study/front sitting room. Our large angelfish recently passed away, so we will be looking for a few new angels soon. We originally bought 2 angelfish, hoping that we would have a male and a female, but one of the 2 died shortly after we brought them home. After that, we were too concerned about aggressive behavior to get another. We also have 2 smaller cichlids that are quite social, tolerant fish. They seem more interested in/curious about the other fish than concerned about defending their territories. We also have at least a dozen tetras, some blood-fins and some black skirts. We of course, have a plecostomus. Also a flying fox (I love this fish and wish I could find more) and a Chinese algae eater. The Chinese is the most aggressive fish in the tank and is definately the bully. He chased our dwarf orange flame gourami to death. Little bugger! We considered bagging that stinker, but then realized how great of a cleaner he was/is, so he stays. Last, but not least, we have a bala shark. He appears to be some kind of a sucker, with the appearance that suggests a slim shark.

I'm constantly fighting the slimy algae, but at least the water is crystal clear. I carefully pull out the algae from the plants and roots every other weekend. This is a planted aquarium with a couple of philodendron cuttings hanging in the water. The philodendrons love the tank, although they don't like me pulling the algae off their roots. I do try to be gentle.

Past knitted projects

2006-12-28T20:59:00.000-08:00

At the top is the baby cabled hat I made for my mom...my husband graciously modeling it. I obviously made this for a cone-head. Ooops! In the center is his Pastaness, the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I knitted this for my father-in-law for Christmas. The bottom one is the front of my husband's sweater. I took this a while back. I've since completed the front and have nearly completed the back. Next, I just need to do the arms and then seam everything. I'm doing his sweater in Filatura de Crosa/Ad hoc Maxi cotton. The main color is charcoal, and that's black along the bottom.

My little boy

2006-12-28T15:37:00.000-08:00

Such a beautiful boy! Taken just a few months ago.

Herpetology

2006-12-28T09:42:00.000-08:00

I am remise in not mentioning herping! I grew up around the rattlesnakes and lizards of central and northern Texas. Those slithery things that shshhed quickly through the grass and scattered up tree trunks entranced me and I became addicted. As an adult, and as a professional biologist, I am just as entranced. Snakes, rattlesnakes in particular, hold my fascination for hours on end, although the rest of the herps should not take a back seat. The only image I have on my computer that I took (not copyrighted) is this western fence lizard; a common site in the grasslands and blue oak savannah of the great central valley of california. This fellow was doing his typical "push ups" telling me I was a bit too close for comfort and that he wanted me to move off straight away. :) For those not familiar with this particular species, this individual was maybe 6 inches long (including the tail). Not exactly a formidable foe, but try telling that to him!