Disney

by Caroline



Greetings from Chicago! But wait, the title says "Disney" . . . . what's that all about? Well, back in November I went to Disney with my friend Kathy, her 2 boys, and various members of her family. I think I should cover that trip before I begin this trip.





So, as I said, I went to Disney with Kathy and her family, including her father. Her father, by the way, is a Santa Claus. A Santa Claus who spends the year making wooden toys that he gives away at Christmas! Can you imagine going to Disney with Santa? Kathy tried to warn me but it is something that has to be experienced to be believed. He gets as much attention as the characters walking the park. The kids, staring from a distance, not really sure; their parents, "we don't want to bother you, but" . . . Dick was great with them all. The cast members loved him, the characters had a great time playing off him.



But the best of all, was Cheryl. She was the character handler at the Crystal Palace breakfast. Cheryl, who sees behind the magic every day, was thrilled to death to meet Santa! She brought over kids, other adults, and co-workers. She had us laughing the whole time and we certainly seemed to make her day.

I also had a great time at that breakfast because it was Winnie the Pooh and friends (my faves). A while back (sorry, no link to the particular post), the Yarn Harlot challenged readers to get pix of elected officials holding their socks or other projects. Well, elected officials are not in my circle but . . . .

We did a park a day, several character meals, and SeaWorld. We walked our legs off! I got to ride some of my favorite nostalgia rides: Snow White, Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, and Pirates (I couldn't talk anyone into Small World); some more recent faves: Buzz Lightyear, Muppets (not actually a ride, I know), Space Mountain (took me a long time to ride this one - I'm a chicken); and new rides (new to me, it's been a while): the Speedway Test Track, Woody's 3-D Arcade and Atlantis (SeaWorld).

We were there for Disney's change-over to the Christmas season. We went to the first night of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. The park closes and a limited number of people (56,000 pre-sold tickets) are allowed to stay till midnight. Most of the rides are open and the counter service eateries are open with a section set up with free hot chocolate and cookies! The castle was, well, magical.

Tonight, in Chicago, I go to the taping of NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. I can not tell you how excited I am.

Tagged!

by Caroline


Well, my 4th folder has only 3 pictures and they are copies of reciepts for Wi-Fi at Barnes & Noble! So, I'm going over to the 5th folder. Symmetry demands that I use the 5th picture in the 5th folder; it is almost identical to the 4th one anyway, but a better shot.

So, 4 facts about this picture (or should that be 5?):

-That is my mother (for those who don't know her) in the center of the picture, finishing a half marathon (13 miles).

-The marathon was in October 2006 and she had been training for the previous year (time lines are estimates). She worked on her endurance and miles even as they traveled.

-She tried to get her daughters to join her (in training, at least) but my SIL, Brenda and my sister, Debbie were the only ones who managed any discipline.

-I walked with her and Debbie only a few times but I really did enjoy those times. They, meaning my mother, slowed her pace a bit for me; Debbie, however, would outpace us and then walk back. But still, the conversations during these walks were good.

-I was, and am, very proud of my mother for this feat. We are a fairly sedentary group and it isn't easy to break that habit.

Let's see, I'll throw this to Gigi, Lora, Gina, and Jackie. They can go back to the 4 facts about the 4th picture in the 4th folder format.

A tag-a-long fill-in

by Kathleen


While I finish the old year and prepare for the new (all right... I know that technically I'm three days into the new already, but only in body not spirit) I will take advantage of a quick and easy post by responding to Toni's photo challenge (though the challenge was actually posted on this blog).
* go to my 4th picture folder
* go to the 4th picture in the folder
* tell you 4 things about that picture
* tag 4 more people

*This is a photo taken by DH of a run done by a group of his good friends with whom he does white water canoeing. Note that they do not kayak, they canoe... up to class IV. They're crazy.
*The river they're on here is only runnable once a year or so. On wet years they may get to go twice, some years they can't run it at all. It is FULL of strainers and scary stuff. They're crazy.
*They're so into canoeing they go on the water every month. Even in January. In fact they usually do an overnight canoe and camp on New Year's Eve. In the freezing cold and snow and icy water. Did I mention that they're crazy?
*I don't actually know who that is in the red boat then, but DH owns that one now. He didn't feel up to running that river at that time (this is probably about two years ago), but he would now. He is crazy.
And I love that they all get so into this, and talk about gear and plan trips to special rivers and gorges. Reminds me a bit of some fiber obsessed people who shall go nameless...

I'm not going to tag four other people, though I'd love to go to your blogs and read your photo stories. I'm only going to tag one person...

Caroline... this post requires very, very, very few words. You can do it... come on... come on...

Always look on the bright side of life...

by Kathleen

(whistling)...


Marcia was right... there I was chastising the Universe for all my perceived mistreatment and totally ignoring all the good things that have come my way recently.
Like the afghan of course.

And some lovely birthday gifts last November.


From my MIL. A little china sewing lady that her mother had in the house she grew up in, sometime back in the 40's. I can't tell you how it moved me that she presented me with this. She has the sweetest painted face (very 30's) and she's sitting on a chair with a length of fabric in her lap and scissors in her hand.


Then a big gift that DH and I gave myself (with help from Mom and Dad actually. Thanks guys!) A Louet S75. I found it on craigslist with help from a posting to a Ravelry group. The owner had decided that she wasn't going to spin anymore (she just didn't have time for it and it wasn't that vital to her) and she was selling to move it fast. Less than half price. Wow.
It's a very nice wheel and I'm enjoying it very much so far. It came with four bobbins, several of which had singles still on them. I played with the wheel while I plied them up. I won't post photos of the yarn since she wasn't very pleased with it... but it plied up okay and I think I might knit her mitts from it as a thank you for the wheel.

Then there are some cool ornaments I got as part of a swap hosted by a group on Ravelry...
From Chillyfreetoes I got a really lovely knitted wreath. It's leaf shapes accented with pearls and I think the yarn has some angora in it because of the halo.
And some extra goodies (there was a snickers in the wrapping. But it didn't make it to the photo shoot).


And from Pryorjennie some mistletoe! Immediately after this photo it was hung with care... DH never knew what hit him.


And, as part of a kid's swap, I got this gorgeous tree from Butterfly. With glitter sparkle ornaments on it. I hung it in a window and the light glowed through it.
All in all... some things to turn around a crabby grouchy mood.


Dear Universe,

Sorry. And thanks.
Love (and I mean it this time),
Me again

ps But I'm still not happy about that wasp.

Why yes, I would love some cheeze with this whine...

by Kathleen

I suppose I should feel embarrassed for this... my siblings (including co-blogger Caroline) and a whole host of you all are barely digging out from under a nasty ice storm; and my grandmother is still without power in Massachusetts.

But I wish to complain.

Dear Universe,
In the past two weeks you have chosen to smite me with one fried and one scrambled computer, a corrupted photo software program, one broken down vehicle, a lost filling, a whacky acting gas heater (the only source of heat in our house), resumed an annual Holiday party (by request) and no one came*, two late-night-jump-out-of-bed-horrific-noise-can't-get-back-to-sleep disturbances (courtesy of our cats), and a wasp sting. On. My. Nipple.
What have I done to deserve this?
Please stop. Please?
Thank you very much.
Love,
Kathleen

*Okay I exaggerate a smidge. 6 people showed up. And I didn't actually mind eating the whole French Onion dip and chips by myself, but finishing the veggie tray is a drag.

Okay. Got that off my chest (and believe me... the last one definitely hurt my chest. A LOT).


I've done knitting!


The "CanDo" socks are can done! Wool/Bamboo yarn dyed by Sereknitty in a special colorway with proceeds donated to Can Do. Pattern from Charlene Schurch's Sensational Socks.
FlatFeet socks in plain stockinette. Waaaay too big. I wonder if anyone on my Christmas list has size 10 feet and loves neon green...?

All the Lizard Ridge squares are done! Time to sew them together now!



Babies' hats! Finished this October for two little ones born last March/April.
What...? It's not like they needed them earlier.

I've also got the DH's sweater body done and I'm on to the sleeves.

More to come...

WooHoo!!!

by Kathleen


So... quite a few months ago I made a square for an afghan, The American Aran Afghan, being raffled off by a LYS to support a local Arts Center.



After it's completion we were in the area one weekend day (DH, MIL and I had gone to see a play at a local community theatre). I wanted to see it done so we stopped by the store to take a gander. For knitting a square I was given a raffle ticket, and both my DH and MIL who were with me bought tickets.
Guess what...




MY MIL WON!!!!



I am so pleased!
She says that she never wins anything, and this is a gorgeous way to start! She wants us to keep it, but we're thinking that it might come in handy this winter to help keep her warm. Either way it's in the family.
She's out of town right now, but we'll take her down to pick it up next week.
What a treat for me... that I put a square in, that we saw it together, and that my very dear MIL won.
Hooray!

Christmas has come a little early here.

Oh how I know the feeling...

This was sent to me in an email by a friend who got it from a friend... it appears to be "Author Unknown"... though clearly she/he is a knitter (or a knitter's spouse patiently waiting on the sweater started and promised from last Christmas supposedly to be finished for this Christmas maybe... not that I know anyone like that.)

Knitter's Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished knitting not under the tree.
The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care
'Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep---he was no help at all.
And the sweater for him was 6" too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash.
Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.
The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how far I still had to go.

When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.
And although I was tired, my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.

Yet what I heard left me very perplex-ed
For nothing I heard was what I expect-ed.
"Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!
Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite!
Move over!

Lopi, don't circle, just stand there in line.
Pay attention, you sheep, and you'll work out just fine!
I know this is hard as it's just your first year
But I'd hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer."

I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:
Eight wooly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!
And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa's big boots stomping on the porch floor.

I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.
As I turned around, St. Nick I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his heat to his toe
And his clothes were hand knit from above to below.

A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back,
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.
His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.

The scarf on his neck must have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.

On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:
"S.C." in duplicate on the cuff.
So I asked, "Hey, Nick, did YOU knit all this stuff?"

He proudly replied, "Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to knit back when I was a kid."

He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I'd thought up a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair!

He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
Where I'd laid my needles and yarn for a cap.
He began then to knit, first one cap then two--
For the first time I thought I might really get through.

He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
While I sat back drinking a Scotch on the rocks.
So quickly like magic his needles they flew,
Good Grief! He was finished by quarter to two!

He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
I heard him exclaim as he sailed past the moon,
"Next year, start your knitting sometime around JUNE!"

Yeah. June. Or April maybe.